Q: What does a fresher in the Job market look for? 

 Fresh candidates emerge in the industry in all shapes and sizes, i.e. in varying capacities with different educational qualifications. While some may be from renowned MBA colleges or IITs, others may be simple graduates from not so renowned colleges. Contrary to belief, every industry has vacancies that require responsible and passionate candidates for filling up the posts. There are requirements in both big and small companies, in local startups and multinational establishments etc. First time job seekers are often found troubled selecting what jobs to apply for and which offer to finally accept, in case there are multiple options available.  

 Q. Is experience you are going to gain vis-à-vis the salary offered vital?

 

This one is the most vital factor of all. One might initially feel tempted to accept a job offer that comes with a very lucrative package. However, should you choose a job solely for the salary offered? Keep in mind that fresh graduates still have a nearly endless array of opportunities for carefully selecting which industry and job role he/she feels most interested in. For instance, an English graduate can easily move on to the field of Public Relation or Marketing. But if the candidate in question is more inclined in pursuing a career in PR, he/she should definitely look for a job in that particular sector instead of joining a marketing team which might seem more lucrative to a fresher with the entire pay package that offers a lot of incentives.

 Remember, your first job is the entry point into a world of opportunities that you’ll likely keep following for the rest of your life. If you wish to change track after a few years, the experience you gained in these years in a different industry is going to be considered irrelevant. Bottom line: look for the job that gives you a good experience in the industry of your choice rather than the one with a better pay package.

 Q: Should one look for a smaller role in bigger company or bigger role in smaller company?

 While this one is debatable and often tricky, varying from industry to industry, here are a few points to keep in mind. Ask yourself, what kind of experience are you going to gain from either of them? Big companies do not necessarily always give menial tasks to fresher candidates (while some do). It is important to look into the company’s profile and learn from the experiences of other fresh graduates joining their team. If the environment is challenging and you get to learn loads in the industry of your choice, you can definitely go for it.

Often, smaller companies offer much more lucrative job roles. Are you getting your dream job from such a company? Is the company giving you greater exposure than an established chain? Many people have thrived and built exceptional careers while never joining an already renowned player in their chosen industry. A good exposure in a small but promising company is a big opportunity for an ambitious learner because you have the scope of actually growing with the company and may end up playing crucial role in its achievements and expansions.