{"id":121518,"date":"2021-01-12T16:09:51","date_gmt":"2021-01-12T15:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=121518"},"modified":"2026-01-16T16:39:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T15:39:24","slug":"job-prospects-for-students-graduating-during-the-pandemic-youre-going-to-have-to-get-through-the-next-two-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2021\/01\/12\/job-prospects-for-students-graduating-during-the-pandemic-youre-going-to-have-to-get-through-the-next-two-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Job prospects for students graduating during the pandemic? \u2018You\u2019re going to have to get through the next two years\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s hard enough to find a job in normal times, but now, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the labour market is an even more depressing place for students who will be graduating soon. However, that doesn\u2019t mean people should lose all hope. \u201cYou\u2019re going to have to get through the next two years. After that, things will be back to normal,\u201d says sociologist of work Fabian Dekker.<\/p>\n

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Rinke Meij, a business administration student and marketing manager at Erasmus Recruitment, has found that students are very concerned about finding a good job, particularly in these extraordinary times. \u201cThe main questions we\u2019re hearing are: will I get a job at all? Am I certain my job prospects are that good? And what are the best choices I can make right now to increase my chances of a job?\u201d<\/p>\n

There are students who believe that the best thing for them to do is to stay at uni for as long as possible, says Meij. \u201cThey decide to fill time by, say, serving on the board of a student society for a year, because there are not that many jobs to go around at the moment.\u201d It is a tricky time. \u201cIf you have an academic degree, people will tell you that you\u2019ll have no difficulty finding a job. At the moment, that is definitely not true, and it\u2019s hard to gauge the severity of the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stagnation<\/h2>

According to sociologist of work Fabian Dekker, the problem is not too bad. \u201cMany people have all these dramatic ideas about the labour market changing drastically due to the pandemic, but at the moment, the main thing we\u2019re seeing is stagnation. Right now, young people are the first to lose their jobs, but as soon as there is an upturn in the economy, they\u2019ll be the first to get their jobs back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\u2018You\u2019re going to have to try to get through the next two years. Now is the time to learn a new language or take a coding course\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

As far as students are concerned, Dekker compares the current situation with the global financial crisis of 2007-2009. \u201cIt might have taken a while, but in the end, they were fine.\u201d He advises students to remain active. \u201cYou\u2019re going to have to try to get through the next two years. Now is the time to learn a new language or take a coding course.\u201d Dekker does believe that the pandemic will result in permanent changes to the way we work. \u201cWe will continue to work from home. This will also have a few downsides. We will have to continue to be productive, which means we\u2019ll work longer hours. The gap between work and personal lives has narrowed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many students looking for jobs<\/h2>

Emily van der Werff is a student recruiter with Aegon, a financial service provider, and will have a stand at the Erasmus Recruitment Days in January. She often talks to students. \u201cWhen you\u2019re used to attending a different event every week, all this working from home is quite the change. You\u2019re far less able to present yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

One thing Van der Werff has noticed is that there are many more students looking for jobs this year than usual. \u201cStudents who have just graduated generally want to go on a nice holiday or make that big trip they\u2019ve saved up for while at uni before entering the job market. At the moment they can\u2019t do so, meaning that more students than usual are currently looking for their first jobs.\u201d At the same time, she has noticed in her own company that fewer people are vacating jobs for others. \u201cPeople are less inclined to take risks in times such as these, and will stay in their current positions longer. This means that senior staff are vacating fewer jobs for junior staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Loud flatmates<\/h2>

So what are currently the questions most frequently asked by students regarding their entry into the job market? \u201cThe job application process,\u201d says Van der Werff. \u201cStudents are curious \u2013 more so than in previous years \u2013 about the company they will be working for. It\u2019s a bit scary these days that you can\u2019t enter the company\u2019s building to check out the vibe, even though you will end up working there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\u2018The only parts of you that are visible are pieces of your head and chest, and you have to be mindful of whether to look into the camera or not, and make sure there are no loud flatmates in the background\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

In addition, the way in which people apply for jobs has changed tremendously. \u201cThe only parts of you that are visible are pieces of your head and chest, and you have to be mindful of whether to look into the camera or not, and make sure there are no loud flatmates in the background.\u201d However, the pandemic has changed a few things for the better as well. \u201cJob application procedures are a lot faster now. People no longer have to commute, which means they have more time to do job interviews. We\u2019re seeing now that the people we hire have all their interviews within one month, whereas in the past, this might well take a month and a half.\u201d She says students also ask a lot of questions about their familiarisation training. \u201cWill I be doing my work alone, at home, or can I go to an office?\u201d<\/p>\n

Proper Wi-Fi<\/h2>

So what is the best way to apply for a job these days, anyway? \u201cFirst of all, a proper Wi-Fi connection is essential,\u201d says Van der Werff. \u201cFew things are as annoying as being unable to hear the recruiter, or vice versa. In addition, it\u2019s vital that you present yourself well online. Make sure you look enthusiastic. It\u2019s easy to be shy and unassuming when talking to someone online. Don\u2019t be afraid to look into the camera and take an interest in the other person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another thing Van der Werff herself finds quite important is that people treat each other like equals. \u201cI\u2019d hate it if a recruiter were to act superior to the job candidate during an interview.\u201d In other words, relax and don\u2019t be afraid to enter into a conversation. After all, it is as important for you to make sure that you are a good fit for the job and organisation as it is for the company. \u201cSo recruiters who only fire questions at you aren\u2019t doing their jobs properly. Use the moments of silence to ask questions of your own, so that you can steer the conversation in a direction of your own choosing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Optimistic<\/h2>

Both Dekker and Van der Werff are optimistic about the job prospects of students who will be graduating soon. \u201cVisit the websites of companies that you find interesting. Because many in-person events have been cancelled, companies will create content themselves, to show who they are. And when you are finally offered a job, just take it. You\u2019re unlikely to hold your first job for a very long time, because generally speaking, you\u2019ll know within a year whether or not it suits you,\u201d says Van der Werff.<\/p>\n

Dekker has some advice of his own: \u201cAlso, don\u2019t be afraid to tell others how hard it is to enter the labour market right now. These experiences will be incredibly useful down the track, when you will encounter other setbacks. Keep in mind that the current situation will pass.\u201d<\/p>\n\t

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Erasmus Recruitment Days<\/strong><\/p>\n

With more than 100 companies attending, the Erasmus Recruitment Days are the largest on-campus student recruitment event in Europe. During the event, students will be given the opportunity to build a network, pitch their ideas and take part in workshops and interviews.<\/p>\n

The Erasmus Recruitment Days will take place from 26 January to 12 February. For more information, or to sign up, check out https:\/\/erasmusrecruitment.nl\/days<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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