The campus looks different to many students during 2020-2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For those who have just graduated, the future of work may seem filled with uncertainty as the new job market after 2021. And finally, we all know that entering the workforce after graduating is a bit scary.
As if being an adult wasn't enough to turn the worry of getting a job out of college into a fun thing. The good news is that you are not alone. We all feel it, almost.
Many graduates think they will not find a job after college. In August 2021, employment rose to 235,000 in one month. The unemployment rate dropped from 14.7% in April 2020 to 5.2% in August 2021. So, stop being pessimistic, and start being optimistic.
Why do people struggle to get a job after college?
We understand that finding a job after college is a challenge. Adapting to a new environment is not as easy as it seems. As a generation graduating from 2020-2021, you have the privilege to feel a remote work environment. But before discussing that, let's understand the reasons why some people struggle to get a job.
1. Not doing enough research
The adage says, “If you don't know what you're looking for, chances are you can't find it.” Same with looking for a job. As a fresh graduate, try to research deeper about the career path. Determine whether your career will match your passion or if you should learn new things.
2. Not doing enough preparation
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Preparation for looking for work does not start when you officially graduate. It should begin when you are in your second year. Preparation takes some effort; take online courses, internships, and networking.
3. Not being proactive
A common mistake is just sending an application on a job vacancy platform without following up with HR. As a fresh graduate, be proactive by reaching HR after submitting a job application.
Things you should know about remote jobs
The class of 2020-2021 is lucky because they can feel the trend of the remote work environment. You can take full advantage of this privilege to get remote work easily.
Imagine the first job that you can do from anywhere. It sounds like a dream, right? You don't need to leave early to avoid traffic jams. You can also work while enjoying the scent of your favourite garden.
But hang on. Remote work is not as easy as it seems. This requires preparation and a set of rules, so if you have accepted your first remote job, congratulations! But before starting, learn everything about this environment.
1. You need more effort in communication
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First thing first, the main problem in remote work is communication. Communicating with coworkers in an office is easy. Communicating to remote teams takes a bit more effort. Teams can not only cover time zone differences, but misunderstandings can occur.
Besides that, language also plays its part. Often, language can be a barrier to communication between remote teams. Lack of language knowledge between team members can be very disruptive in the delivery of assignments.
Thus, you need to pay more attention to those things. Before getting a remote job that has a language different from your native, maybe you can prepare by learning the language and the local culture.
2. You may not get paid in your local currency
One of the perks of being a remote worker is receiving payments in a different currency. Receiving your salary in another currency leaves you at the mercy of fluctuating exchange rates. Not to mention, there are hidden fees when making foreign withdrawals.
3. Easy to feel lonely
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While working a remote job feels like everyone's dream, the days, weeks, and months will feel lonely. If you feel lonely, you can chit-chat with coworkers or go to a cafe or co-working space.
4. Self-motivation is important
It is essential to understand that the level of self-motivation fluctuates. When you are used to working remotely, it becomes very natural to be demotivated. That’s why you need to self-motivate yourself to increase your productivity.
Here’s the list of the tips
After knowing the outline of remote work, now is the right time to dive into ten remote working tips for you, fresh graduates.
1. Take the time to learn the tools that the company uses
The first step is to grasp the technology and tools the company uses. This point is essential when you're a remote worker and you can no longer tap on the shoulder of your co-worker to ask a question.
Dedicate more time to learning onboarding materials, especially tools for communicating and simplifying workflows.
2. Getting a sense of your team's workflow
The 9-to-5 concept is sometimes useless in remote work, especially when several coworkers are in different time zones. Communicate with your team about any limitations you set, such as not meeting in the middle of the night.
Beyond calibrating your overall business hours, also figure out your team's standards for logging in on business communications and responding to emails. Keeping track of this will ensure you know when it's the right time to reach out to the team.
3. Set up a home office
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For those who depend on the right vibes for productivity, it will be good if you set up an office at home. Create a workspace that suits your style. Do you like working with silence and lo-fi music accompanied by a cup of coffee beside your laptop?
Buying equipment that supports remote work is also the right investment. For example, buy a new table with a cup holder, increase the internet bandwidth, or set up a comfy chair.
4. Know the suitable communication method
Understanding the suitable media to communicate with your coworkers will go a long way. On your first day, try to identify your teammate's communication style.
5. Take steps to unplug and set the work-life balance
You may be surprised by how easy it is to become a workaholic when you're a remote worker. You wake up, open your laptop and start pushing the mouse to the to-do list. You haven't even started your morning routine! Slowly you can skip lunch and even a shower.
Luckily, some tips keep this from happening. You may stick to your routine, set boundaries with coworkers, use productivity tools to balance your time, and work, and don’t forget to socialise.
6. Wear office outfits
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Are you working in pyjamas? Big no! Even though the privilege is being free to wear any clothes. Wearing comfortable clothes is one way to boost self-confidence. But, you know yourself better than anyone, so if you think wearing a t-shirt or sweatpants will increase your productivity, wear them. However, if you start feeling a slump, putting on office-friendly clothes might give you a little boost.
7. Build connections with coworkers
Working remotely sometimes creates a sense of isolation due to the lack of connection with coworkers. So, as a fresh graduate, try to connect with new colleagues. Use whatever communications software companies use to stay connected. Share your favourite memes or cheesy icebreakers to group chats to warm the vibes.
8. Be an advocate for yourself
When working remotely, everything can be a misunderstanding, including feedback issues. In the office, it's easy to stop by a friend's desk for feedback and see their expressions. Online, you need phone calls and video chats for feedback.
Keep scheduling meetings offline (if possible), so you can ask for feedback in real-time. Simply put, be an advocate for yourself.
9. Always have a backup plan
A backup plan should always be in your scenario. Things that get out of control may happen. To anticipate that, you need to address some what-if scenarios.
For example, what if the power suddenly goes out while working on the computer? What if the internet goes down? Things like this can happen, and as a beginner, at least you know how to deal with it.
10. Don't forget to maintain your social life outside
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Remote workers don't just interact with computers. Maintain your social life so that you still feel alive. Invite your friends to just hang out at the cafe or spend the weekend with family.
Final Thoughts
Remote working may seem to be more effortless than working in an office. Remote work has its challenges. Maybe this is something new for you or all of us who just graduated. But don't worry, it all takes time. It takes time to make connections and keep learning too. Most importantly, be patient both with yourself and the work environment. So how about it, are you ready for your first remote job?
