So, your years of hard work have finally paid off and you’ve earned yourself that degree.
Firstly, congratulations! You’re probably eager to get out in the big wide world of work, but before you rush off into employment, there are a few very important things to think about before embarking on the next chapter of your life.
Here, we walk and talk you through what you need to get covered straight after leaving university.
1. Outstanding bills
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If you’ve been living in a house share, there’ll probably be some outstanding bills that need taking care of.
It’s easy to forget about old utilities, especially if you don’t receive payment demand notices, as they are being sent to your old address.
So check what’s owed, and whether it’s a considerable sum or just a few pounds here and there; it’s vital that you get outstanding debts cleared as soon as possible.
Any unpaid balances could come back to haunt you further down the line in the form of a bad credit rating, and could seriously damage your chances of being able to take out further credit (such as a mortgage).
2. Graduate bank accounts
You probably have a student bank account at the moment, and it won’t be long before it transforms into a graduate account.
If you’re overdrawn (like most graduates are), it makes sense to ensure that you’re with a bank that offers the longest period of 0% interest. Some offer up to 3 additional years, and if that’s not your current bank, switch.
Other incentives are often up for grabs, so shop around and make sure that you’ve found the best deal for your personal circumstances.
3. Clean up social media profiles
Now that you’re looking for work, it’s wise to consider how you’re portraying yourself online, particularly through any social media networks.
Many recruiters and potential employers will search for you online, so do the same first and make sure they won’t find anything incriminating!
Check your privacy settings and hide any compromising photos that could paint you in a bad light.
4. Travel
Once you’ve established a career, it’s harder to pursue dreams of travelling.
If you have an ambition to see the world, now’s the time to give it some serious consideration. Whether it’s for a few weeks or for a full year, get it out of your system before you enter the job market!
Remember that you could even use your time out to strengthen your potential by working or volunteering abroad.
5. Career path
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It can be a bit of a surprise to suddenly realise that you’re a graduate and are expected to know what you want to do with your life.
According to a recent survey by Save the Graduate, one in three university leavers have no idea as to what they want to do or what line of work they want to pursue.
It’s all too easy to aimlessly go into something you aren’t really interested in.
Take some time to work out what you want to achieve, what your passions are, and what steps you need to take to reach your ambitions.
Now that you know the bases that you need to get covered, it’s much easier to get organised and work out a plan of action.
Being a graduate can be the beginning of one of the most exciting periods of your life, and taking action in these key areas will help you to get off to the best possible start!
