Post-Graduate Employability: 7 Ways To Boost Your Career Despite The Economic Downturn

In today’s unpredictable business environment, you’ll never really know when you could get hit by a global crisis such as a recession.

This can be even more daunting for graduates fresh out of university who are just getting started in their careers as a university degree alone won’t be enough in this competitive market.

The good news is there are plenty of ways to future-proof your career and ensure that your skills will always be relevant once you enter the workforce.

All you have to do is take that first step in being proactive and going the extra mile; not solely relying on your qualifications to get by.

Don’t know where to start? Here are 7 effective ways to boost your employability and still chart out a successful career path even during the toughest of times.

7 Ways To Boost Your Career Prospects Despite A Tough Economy

1. Identify A Future-Proof Course & Study Abroad

Since it’s impossible to predict what will happen in the next few years, it’s important to future-proof your career by picking the right university course.

Aside from choosing a course that you’re genuinely interested in, it also pays to pick one that can help you stay relevant and adaptable in the workforce.

To seal the deal even further, completing your studies abroad would also give you an edge among employers once you enter the workforce.

Key examples of courses that will always be in demand and relevant include computer and data science, financial technology, aeronautics, and environmental engineering.

Learn more about these future-proof undergraduate courses in greater detail here.

2. Start Networking Aggressively With Fellow Students & Alumni

Now more than ever, harnessing the power of your network has never been more important. This can increase your chances of employment and boost your career in the long run.

Tapping into your connections and simply starting a conversation could be the first step towards securing an interview at your dream company or maybe even arranging a skills-sharing session with one of your batchmates.

Regardless of what comes out of it, staying in contact with those in your network would benefit your professional career one way or another.

Consider exploring networking events and functions in your city or making use of LinkedIn to expand your connections.

3. Develop Soft-Skills Like Communication & Problem Solving

Nowadays, it’s no longer just about having a long list of technical skills to get the job done.

Soft skills such as effective communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving are things that employers value and constantly look out for.

Since most jobs now require varying levels of interaction daily, whether it’s with clients or colleagues, business leaders want to see that you have the ability to work in a team and thrive in a collaborative environment.

4. Learn High-Demand Technical & Business Skills

Cloud computing, programming, web development, digital product management, data science and analytics, social media, digital marketing, and artificial intelligence.

These are just some of the many skills that are in demand in today’s market and will continue to be relevant in the coming years.

Once an employer sees that your resume is packed with such skills and industry knowledge, this immediately sets you apart from the average candidate.

Even if your university course may not be directly related to these skills, honing your digital literacy is now a vital part of the modern workforce and may come in handy when looking for prospective jobs.

5. Embark On Internships

Internships are one of the best ways to set yourself apart from fellow candidates applying for the same position and increase your overall employability.

Compared to someone who dove straight into job hunting right after college, having internship experience shows employers and recruiters that you’ve already had prior experience in a working environment. 

On top of that, your professional network and connections may also help by getting your foot in the door and possibly help you secure a job.

6. Learn A Second Language That Is In High Commercial Demand

In this day and age, the ability to speak a second language is a highly sought-after skill among employers and recruiters.

With many companies serving the global market today, having multilingual employees is becoming an increasing need in most corporations.

By learning a foreign language that’s in higher demand for business such as Mandarin, Spanish, German, French, and Arabic, you open the door for more job opportunities for you after completing your undergraduate program.

7. Concentrate On Growth Industries

One might ask: what exactly are growth industries?

These are sectors and areas in business that are growing at an extremely rapid rate mainly due to consistently high profitability, among many other factors.

When you take up a role in any of the growth industries in today’s market, your company is likely to continue thriving even during economic crises.

In turn, this leaves you unaffected by the impact of such major global events and keeps your career future-proof.

Boost your employability with tailored guidance from IDP counsellors!

Taking the steps to figure out your career path can be a challenge, especially when you’re doing it on your own.

That’s why we’re here to equip you with everything you need to kickstart your career and remind you that you’re not alone on this journey.

Whether it’s specialized upskilling courses, tailored course advice, or assistance on your university application, our dedicated team of education counsellors are here to answer every query you may have.

Book your free virtual counselling session with us today to get started! Fill out the form below.