Whether you enter the job market directly from high school or whether you take a few years to study before trying to get a job, there’s no denying that entering the job market can be an intimidating experience.
After all, everyone will have a different opinion and different advice, but no matter how hard you try to prepare yourself for it, you will likely still not know what to expect.
That being said, there are a few things you should know about entering the job market, and we’re here to share them.
1. What are Your Rights?
The first thing you need to be aware of is that employees have rights.
There are rights detailing things like how much leave you should get, how you should be treated, your minimum salary, and more.
On top of that, people in certain professions may have additional rights, and there may also be added things in your contract.
Unfortunately, many employers will try to take advantage of employees who are new to the job market because they think they are naïve.
Therefore, we would recommend getting an employment lawyer to look over your employment contract before you sign it.
2. And What About Your Responsibilities?
This may sound cliché, but remember that if you have rights, you probably also have responsibilities, and it’s no different when it comes to the job market.
The odds are that your contract will lay out all of your duties, and you need to ensure that you do what you agreed to.
If you don’t follow through on your responsibilities, you could lose your job.
Being a good employee can also help you in the future because you may be able to get a promotion or at least a good reference letter.
3. What Should Your Expectations Be?
Many people dream of landing the perfect job right off the bat, with amazing perks and a great salary.
However, while that may happen now and then, it’s not the case most of the time.
You need to understand that even if you have a bunch of qualifications behind your name, employers often value experience as well, so if you’re new to the job market, you need to understand that you may need to start with an entry-level job.
Of course, better qualifications do play a role in this as well, so you can always consider doing a master’s degree if you think it will land you a better position.
4. How Important Is a Good CV?
We all know that a CV is essential for applying for a job, but how important is it to have a good CV?
After all, does the layout and aesthetic of your CV really matter, or is it more about the contents?
In an ideal world, employers would only care about the content of your CV by looking at things like your experience and qualifications as well as skills and references.
However, the reality is that your CV will play a role in their first impression of you, so having a good CV can increase your odds of getting a position.
Luckily, this doesn’t have to be hard because you can use tools like a CV maker.
