The best advice before you end your studies

While you are a student, there are a lot of things you do not worry about, e.g. your financial situation after your studies. It seems too abstract and often you expect to get an awesome job shortly after you studies. But – sometimes the awesome job does not come around as soon as you need it to – and then it is good to be prepared.

Cphbusiness graduates Katrine and Cæcilie got some experience as job seekers after their studies. Here is their best advice for those of you who will graduate soon – or have just graduated and are starting your job search. Advice that they both wish they had received before ending their studies.

1. 1. Register for an unemployment fund!
      We wish for all of you, that you went straight from study to career. However, sometimes the job does not come around as soon as you need it and then it is a very good idea to be a member of an unemployment fund.
      
      • Graduates, who have been members of an unemployment fund for a minimum of 12 months, can apply for unemployment benefits from day one after their graduation.
      • Graduates, who become members of an unemployment fund no later than 14 days after finishing their education, can apply for unemployment fund after one month’s membership.
      • It is free to be a member of an unemployment fund as long as you are a student, so there is no excuse not to sign up. If you have not been a member of an unemployment fund while you were studying, then remember you have to sign up for membership no later than 14 days after completing your education – and here is the rule: do not postpone for tomorrow, what you can do today! 
   2. Earn the right to unemployment benefits
      Within 14 days after your final exam, you must register as a new student at the unemployment fund. The first day you are unemployed, you must register at the local job center at jobnet.dk. You cannot receive unemployment benefits before you do this. Then you must fill out a declaration of unemployment at your unemployment fund. Read all the manuals from your unemployment fund to make sure you have done everything correctly.
   3. Save up to the first month
      Since your SU is prepaid and unemployment benefits are paid in arrears, you may end up with a period with no income. Therefore, it is a good idea to save up, so you have money for the first month after you have become unemployed.
   4. Acquaint yourself with the necessary things
      Although it may be difficult to do in the middle of exam reading and finishing your main assignment, it is important to acquaint yourself with the necessary things that are required to register as unemployed. It may be a long process with many forms to be completed and therefore it is a good idea to have read all the manuals before your final exam.
   5. Do not postpone your job search
      Although it may seem tempting with a break after graduation, do yourself a favor and start your job search right away - and preferably before you finish the final exam. Use your network in your job search, as well as the job portals and events for job seekers available through the alumni network, Cphbusiness Alumni.

About Katrine and Cæcilie

Katrine Hasle graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in International Sales and Marketing Management in 2018. Cæcilie Skov Laybourn graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2017.