Competition Galore: How Can Students Differentiate Themselves in a Recessionary Market?

Introduction

As many of you might have noticed, we have seen fresh graduates who complete their studies online and join jobs. We have put the new graduates around this time in a disadvantaged position. The recessionary market has lowered job prospects and made it difficult for them to get a job. 

So, how to make one’s profile diverse and unique? Standing out from the competition is the only way to thrive in such an environment. 

Ways how students to differentiate themselves from the rest:

Learn a New Skill

When you are in between studies and jobs, all the free time might seem like going in vain. But you need to realize that you can use this time significantly to refine your skill set by undertaking alternative courses. With several skills on the CV of a student, you show the prospective employer that you are proactive and utilize time efficiently. 

Several free courses on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and many others can help you broaden your skill set without paying too much or nothing. 

As a student, if you know the skills you must learn for your specific field, you can learn the skill over and above those you already possess. So, acquiring these skills would help you stand out from the other candidates. 

Broaden Your Horizon

Take the various options you have under your job profile. For example, if you want to start a career as a social media manager, you must broaden the sectors to incorporate all the suitable job roles you can apply for in marketing. Don’t be selective in choosing the job roles.

Update Social Media Profiles

Networking is one of the best ways to get a job and create an impact. Update your professional social media profiles in line with your resume. LinkedIn is the best platform for students to network professionally. As a fresher, you must add every skill, internship experience, and achievement mentioned in the CV on your professional social media accounts, especially on LinkedIn.

If you are in a creative field, you must have a portfolio as a website or social media account that includes all your work and can share with the recruiter easily.

Focus on a Personal Project

Alongside applying for jobs, focus on a hobby. Why hobby? You might be wondering why we should focus on a hobby. For several people, a hobby can turn into a start-up. As much as you focus on professional skill-building, give a little time to your projects. 

It helps the overall growth of a student and is another skill to add to the CV. Your hobby might help you land a job or start a business. Innovative ideas always matter in the contemporary world. 

Get Internship Experience

Another way to stand out from competitors is to gain internship experience while looking for a job. You can always pick up an internship for a practical experience in the field. It will help you learn new skills and make connections that could lead to a potential job.

There is a difficult time getting an opportunity for fresh graduates in the recessionary market. Your “looking for a job” period must be productive. Turn time into an investment. You must organize your time and learn how to handle your time effectively. 

You must get experience at some point. Do you know it is much better than doing nothing? Students should take extra courses to gain knowledge, be aware of current affairs, and do internships and part-time jobs. In challenging times like these, we must do anything to build our skill set and CV and stand out from the crowd.