Graduated? What's next?

Thinking about how you shape your career means using different competences:

• Discover what you are good at and can become (my qualities)
• Discover what you find important and what you are curious about (my motives)
• Where can I work, and do I want to work?
• Who can help me?
• How do I bring myself into focus?
• How do I steer my career?

This overview is not exhaustive; we have made a first selection of potentially interesting links, self-tests and modules, ... in your search for a job or internship, ... You can mail suggestions to studentpoint@uhasselt.be.

Not tired of studying yet? You can always start an additional study after graduating from UHasselt.

After obtaining your master's degree, there are several options. We list a few for you.

Continue studying after your master's degree

• Studying in another EU country / Masters worldwide / Education in USA
• Studying in Flanders  (Dutch-speaking part of Belgium)/ studying in Wallonia (French-speaking part of Belgium)

Internships after your studies

• Studentsonthemove, an overview of possible scholarships after your studies
• Graduateland, a European portal with internships, graduate programs
• JOE+, internships under the EU Leonardo da Vinci and ERASMUS programs
• www.erasmusintern.org
• Traineeships in the EU institutions, bodies and agencies

Research

• Starting a PhD at UHasselt
• Academic Positions
• Global Academy Jobs
• Research Jobs
• …

Orientation year 

Do you as a non-EEA student want to stay in Belgium after graduation, look for a job, or start your own business? Then, you are eligible for a residence permit for a 'search year' or 'orientation year'.

Meet some students and learn about the opportunities available for you in Belgium.

• What makes me curious? (interests)
• What do I find important in my life?
• What do I stand for? (values)
• What am I going for? (motivation)

Understanding these components helps guide your search.

Interesting links, tools, online sessions, exercises

• Take this Personality Test and learn more about yourself and your strengths
• Discover your interests
• Determine your occupational or professional values via the online test
• Do the test to check if the job matches your personality

What is going well for me? What have I mastered? What competencies and talents do I have?

Thinking about your competencies and talents ensures that you make a more confident choice (study, work), focus on the competencies you want to improve and profile yourself as a unique person.

Discover your talents and competencies by considering the following points:

Who am I? What am I good at?

With strengths, you can convince an employer.

Bringing your lesser facets into focus can't hurt, either. An employer will also ask about your lesser strengths, work points or pitfalls. Think about how you can address your work points.

• Your education (interesting subjects, additional training, internships) and any work (vacation job, volunteer work) taught you in that area.
• What team roles are there, and what role do I take in a group (group work, youth movement, etc.)? Do I prefer individual assignments to group work?
• What qualities do friends, other students, and family draw your attention to? In what do they see you excelling?

Interesting links, tools, online sessions, exercises

• How to gain insight into my core qualities, pitfalls, challenges and allergies
• How to create your SWOT analysis to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Discover your competencies (test)
• Online learning platform GoodHabitz to enhance your skills

Contact your study coach to gain insight into your interests, values, talents and competencies and expand your network.

Where can I find general information about the job market?

• Extra help if you are highly skilled and a non-native speaker (VDAB)
• Working in Flanders (Dutch-specking part of Belgium)
• How to set up your own business in Flanders

The Word Economic Forum provides more information on the jobs of the future.
What is the best company for me?

! On numerous websites and platforms, you can sign up for job alerts to constantly inform you about jobs.

Through various channels, you find information about potential jobs. 

• Working at Hasselt University
• Vacancies and internships through Jobteaser with jobs/internships through your faculty, partner companies UHasselt, ...
• A selection of databases with potential jobs:
  • EURES
  • Randstad
  • Ausy
  • Jobat
  • Stepstone
  • Monster
  • Indeed
  • Englishjobs.be
  • Startupcareers
  • European Union & European Institutions
  • United Nations
  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Several databases aggregate job postings from employers committed to an inclusive culture (persons with disabilities, etc.).:

• Hijabisatwork
• Handicap International
  
  
• Getting a job through Linked In
• Starter jobs for new graduates

Some tips on finding a (first) job

• Let as many people as possible know you are looking for a job! Speak to your network. Ask about the "refer a friend" actions in some companies (recruitment through recommendation of employees within the company)
• You can also apply spontaneously to organisations and recruitment agencies. Applying spontaneously means not responding to a particular job advertisement but letting the organisation know you want to work there
• You can apply to different interim offices (interim jobs). Stepping into an interim office means applying for a job. Make sure you are prepared!
• Job info fairs are an excellent opportunity to meet potential employers, gather information and make contacts. UHasselt organises the Limburg Job Fair
• Keep an eye on your program's graduation initiatives via email and BlackBoard

What jobs can I do with my degree?

You can find more information about the career prospects of each study programme (EN) on the UHasselt website (e.g. Master of Management).

You may also want to explore less apparent sectors and professions that, at first glance, do not immediately match your education. With a university degree, you have gained much knowledge and developed competencies (communication-digital skills, problem-solving thinking, etc.). You will use and optimise these skills and competencies in your future workplace.

Build a network and maintain it. A lot of graduates find their job through their network. By networking, you can collect a lot of information about sectors, companies and positions and become aware of job opportunities.

Who can help you find a job? 

• Family, friends, volunteer work, sports club, …
• Teachers, guest speakers, fellow students, ...
• Internship, student association, alumni ...

A lot of graduates find a job through family, friends or acquaintances. Let them know that you’re looking for a job.

Optimising your network 

Keep maintaining your contacts. Try to expand your network continuously.

• Not convinced? Discover how networking can help you
• Read these tips to get several tips to get more out of your network, online and physically.
• Nervous to begin networking? Here are some tips about networking if you’re shy.

You can network physically and online.

Finding network opportunities and how to approach them 

Get to know people and expand your network:

• Explore activities to expand your network: European Job Days, UHasselt Job Fair, ...
• Use practical assignments, internships, group work, ... to make new contacts
• Strike up a conversation with a guest speaker, ..., teacher, study coach/ academic advisor, ... they can also be part of your network
• Make contacts with final-year students or graduates or join the alumni association of your program after graduation

How can you prepare for a job fair?
Read the guide to networking

Mastering online networking

Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Meetup) in general, but a channel such as LinkedIn makes it possible to make professional connections.

Tips:

• Create an attractive profile and maintain it. LinkedIn itself provides several tips on how to get started. You will also find some tips via Eures
• Make connections and start with people from your network. Add interesting contacts and suggestions from LinkedIn. Follow interesting groups and organisations
• Announce your availability on the job market through LinkedIn (open to work)

Interesting links:

• How to find & join relevant professional groups
• Tips for effective online networking
• Social media: A job-hunting tool

You can promote yourself in various ways (during job interviews, networking events, on LinkedIn, etc.) to individuals interested in your career development.

• Tips to prepare a good elevator pitch
• All about your CV, cover letter and job interview
• Get guidance from a job coach (VDAB)
• Can ChatGPT write your cover letter?

Applying for a job

• How to apply? (VDAB)
• Randstad also provides a lot of tips on applying (online)

Some extra tips:

• Have you found an interesting job offer? Visit the company's website to learn more. Where is the company located? How big is it? What products or services does it offer?
• Don't be swayed by a flashy job title. What truly matters is the job content.
• Remember not to be discouraged by the ideal profile since it's rare for anyone to match it perfectly. Companies naturally seek the perfect employee, but it's crucial to distinguish between essential job qualities and secondary abilities that are merely desirable or intriguing.
• Is the only thing that counts for a job experience? Experience encompasses more than work history. Have you engaged in volunteer work? Held positions on student organization boards? What are your hobbies? Don't hesitate to highlight these in your resume and during job interviews!
• Avoid setting your boundaries too rigidly, especially in your first job. Gaining experience is more important than your salary, for example.

How to practice your following assessment?

What experience have I acquired? 

Reflect on the experiences you've accumulated throughout your career and time at UH, especially those gained alongside your education. What insights have these experiences provided you with?

• What connections have I established?
• What interests, talents, and personal values have become apparent to me?
• What competencies have I developed or honed?

Reflections during your training

• Studying abroad (Erasmus, ...)
• Internship
• Student-entrepreneur
• Engagement as a buddy, tutor, student association member, caregiver, student job, …

What actions can I take to steer my career based on my qualities, motives, network, etc.?

• My Career Companion: as a young professional you get more insight into your personality, talents and strengths, and your ideal job and corporate culture.
• With a personal development plan, you set out your goals and approach.