You have graduated, enjoyed a pleasurable holiday and want to start looking for your first job. But how do you start that search and how do you make sure you don't miss out on any vacancies? Here are some tips.

1. Prepare your CV

The first step in a job search is your CV. This piece of paper is a summary of your knowledge and skills, your signboard. If you want to apply somewhere, your CV is always the first step. Make sure it contains your contact details and lists your qualifications and experience. Keep it short and delete anything irrelevant.

Need more tips on your CV? Read: How to write a CV? Tips for a good CV.

2. Add your CV to various databases

Your CV is ready? Show it everywhere! Create a profile on the VDAB website and add your CV. Do the same for other job sites such as Jobat.be and Indeed.be. This way employers can find you in the database.

3. Create an account on LinkedIn and clean up your other social media

LinkedIn is the social medium par excellence for jobseekers. You can connect with (former) colleagues, former classmates or future employers. Be sure to announce here that you are looking for a job! Start your network as early as possible: connect with your classmates, professors, internship supervisors and other interesting contacts. And complete your profile with education and experience.

You can also search for vacancies yourself on LinkedIn. Follow your dream employers and who knows, maybe they will share a vacancy that is just right for you. Think about your other social media too. An employer may not judge you based on your photos on Facebook, but it is very difficult to check this. So be on the safe side and check your other social media channels before applying.

Read also: How to clean up your social media when applying for a job

4. Use your offline network too

A recent SD Worx survey shows that 1 in 6 employees found a job via family, friends, acquaintances or neighbours. This is certainly not illogical, as many vacancies do not always appear online.

If you inform yourself through friends and family, you also know more than other applicants. You will know what the work environment is like, what the atmosphere is like among colleagues and who your contact person is. So proclaim to as many people as possible that you are looking for a job, to get as many vacancies as possible headed your way.

Read also: The hidden job market: are public vacancies the tip of the iceberg?

5. Sign up for job alerts

You can open and scroll through several job websites every day to stay informed about new vacancies or you can let new vacancies come to you. Most job boards allow you to create a job alert. You choose the region, sector and type of job you want to receive job alerts for. You will then receive them in your mailbox every week or every day.

On the Select-Jobs website you will find around 2,000 vacancies. You can filter them by region, sector, function and type of contract. If you want to be kept informed of new vacancies, sign up for a job alert.

6. Wait and apply purposefully

Do not apply to every vacancy you come across, but inform yourself and choose purposefully. Look at the job content and find out more about the company. Do the values and standards match yours? Do you see yourself working there? Get in touch to find out more about the vacancy. Therefore, you don't have to apply right away.

This way, you avoid choosing a job that does not suit you too quickly and can invest more time in a well-prepared application for a vacancy that suits you 100%. Are you looking for your first job? Then you most likely don't have many expenses yet either and this is the ideal time to take your time.

Don't know where to start? Our job coaches will help you on your way - contact an office near you!

7. Sign up with a recruitment agency

If you are looking for a job, you can apply in two different ways: directly to your future employer or via a recruitment agency. If you apply directly to a company or organisation, and you are not retained, you will have to look for another vacancy again.

On the other hand, if you apply through a recruiter, he or she will be able to offer you other similar vacancies. Moreover, that recruiter has good contacts with various companies and can therefore count on extra tips for your job interview.

Read also: Applying directly to an employer or via a recruiter? What is the difference

8. Apply spontaneously

Want to work for an organisation but there are no vacancies? Then apply spontaneously. Here it is important to explain your motivation as well as possible: Why do you want to work for that organisation? What can you offer them? And what are your qualities?

Summarise this in a motivation letter but keep it short: no longer than 1 page. Read the letter carefully for spelling mistakes and also attach your CV.

Read also: Avoid these 6 common mistakes in your cover letter

Select helps you on your way!

Are you looking for your first job? Then Select can help you on your way! Take a look atour vacancies or sign up for a job alert. You can alsoapply spontaneously or contact one of our local job coaches.