Your career path: a step-by-step guide
Maybe you need help with your application. Maybe you're graduating soon and have no idea what to do next. Maybe you think you have no skills. Or maybe you can't seem to find vacancies that align with your interests. No matter what phase of your career journey you're in, Student Career Services is here to support you! Follow our step-by-step guide to explore your career and prepare yourself for the transition from study to career.
Step 1: Self-Reflection
Taking time to think about who you are, what your qualities and skills are, what you are looking for and from which aspects you gain energy is the first step in the process of exploring your career. By self-reflecting, you gain more insight about yourself. These insights provide clarity and focus.
Self-reflection, skills & professional development
- Ways to self-reflect
- Discover your professional skills
- Activities to (further) develop yourself personally & professionally
Other activities to self-reflect
Step 2: Orientation
As a starter on the labour market, you have a lot of choices to make. Therefore, it is important to explore your options. What kind of positions are there? Do I want to work at a big company, or small start-up? Should I start with a traineeship, or go directly for a job in a starting position? Do I want to do a PhD-trajectory or start up my own business? The sum of all these questions is: What career suits me best? Here, we provide you with several options to find out what kind of career would suit you.
Options & inspiration
- Career perspectives, career paths and labour market information
- Which role fits me best?
- From WUR to work: career journeys from fellow students and alumni
- Orientation year for international students
Other activities to orientate on your career
Step 3: Preparation
In an increasingly competitive labour market, you need to be well prepared for the recruitment and selection processes adopted by employers. To do this, building a strong CV and engaging in activities that will enhance your ability to compete effectively in the labour market are of importance. Here, we provide you with several options to prepare yourself.
Step-by-step guides
- Creating a CV
- Writing a motivation letter
- Using LinkedIn effectively
- Analysing a vacancy (available soon)
- How to network
- Pitching yourself
- Branding yourself (available soon)
- Interview preparation
Have your application documents checked
Preparation activities
Other tips
Step 4: Application
After completing the previous steps, you may already feel fully prepared to apply for positions on the labour market. However, before you start sending out your applications, there are some things that can help set you up for success. Here, we provide you with several options that can help you with your application. In addition to that, we provide you with several tips on how to search for jobs and internships.
Have your application checked
Job & Internship search
- How to search for vacancies (available soon)
- Vacancy search links
- Analysing a vacancy (available soon)
- Starting your internship search
- Tips for finding a side job
- Doing a PhD
- Doing an EngD
- Job searching in the Netherlands for international students
- Job searching for students with a disability