What does this mean to you as a recent graduate wanting to get employed?

The huge gap between graduation and declining employment in PNG according to a recent news article. What does this mean to you as a DWU Graduate?

A photo of a news article publish in the Post Courier on Friday Nov, 30 2018. (Check out the original post on FB here)

In PNG particularly, job prospects for recent graduates are very thin according to this article. On one hand, you could take the advice of Tiri Kuimbakul and others to start your own business. Nothing wrong with these and perhaps the best advise to be self-employed.

On the other hand, if you do decide to get employed you need to seriously ask yourself some questions. Soul searching questions they can be. Here I give some tips on questions I asked myself (I still keep asking myself this questions). At least to help you prepare for a job application or the interview.

1. What sets you apart from the rest?

You are definitely not the only one vying for this job or position. There are other graduates who may have better GPA's than you or excellent recommendations from their lecturers. You need to stand out as best as you can. Being a DWU graduate means more than you know it. What values and standards where you taught? Use them. That is what sets you apart. What makes the university that taught you different from the others. You have to stand out!  

2. Why should this company employ you? What will you bring to the organization that is going to contribute meaningfully to its vision and mission. 

What is it that you have or can bring to the table that will add value to the company? What skills do you have or were taught that will help you contribute positively? Identify them and use them to leverage your proposition to be employed. Don't forget you just graduated, you may or may not have that much experience. 

3. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

The Bible tell us that people without vision perish. What is your vision about your personal life, your career development? Employers are interested in people who have a plan and vision. They too get excited to be part of that plan to develop you.

4. How is the company going to add value too for your own personal/professional development?

This question goes in line with the one before it. You must at least have a plan about your career and where you intend to be in future. The organization is happy to know too that they will add value to your professional development. Its a give and take. Your career plan may not be very clear at the moment but show that you are not just floating around waiting for an opportunity to come by.

 

Remember you are not just bringing your college degree to the organization, you are bringing your entire being with you. Your values, character, personality, religion, and family too. These various aspects of your life will have a great impact on your contribution to the organization you work for or even the company you own.

Colleagues working in the HRM area can add to this list.