Finding Your First Job: A 6-Step Guide for New Graduates in Thailand

A first-job guide for new graduates: self-assessment, a resume without work experience, interview prep, salary negotiation and handling rejection.

Graduation day has passed, the photos are posted, and then relatives start asking: got a job yet? If you do not even know what work you want, do not panic. Many new graduates start from the same place. The difference is who has a step-by-step plan. This guide breaks your first job search into 6 steps you can actually follow.

Step 1: know yourself before you know the job

Spend 1 to 2 days answering these on paper:

• What kind of work makes you lose track of time? For example analysing numbers, talking to people, designing or organising.
• What do people around you often ask you to help with? That is often a strength you overlook.
• Which industries interest you? Tech, finance, retail, education or health.
• What are your non-negotiables? For example working in Bangkok, upcountry or remotely.

If you still cannot answer, take the career quiz or talk to the AI Career Assistant to organise your thoughts and suggest fields worth trying.

Step 2: write a resume without work experience

No full-time job does not mean nothing to write. You can include:

• Internships: even a few months count. Say what you did and what resulted.
• University projects: a senior project or group work that solved a real problem.
• Activities: clubs, competitions, volunteering, especially roles with responsibility.
• Part-time or freelance work: selling online, tutoring or graphic work all show skills.
• Courses and certificates: relevant to the role. Browse courses on Plants.work Learn.

The trick is to write results. Instead of club treasurer, write managed the full-year activity budget and reported spending to the faculty every month. Read more in writing a resume with no experience or use Resume Lab to refine it.

Step 3: apply through several channels at once

• Job sites: search entry-level roles on job search on Plants.work and set alerts for your target fields.
• LinkedIn: complete your profile, then follow companies and people in your field.
• Seniors and lecturers: ask directly which teams are hiring. Many roles come through referrals.
• Job fairs and online groups by profession: you get both openings and insight into what each company wants.

To start building connections, read networking for new graduates.

Step 4: prepare for interviews

Common questions for new graduates and how to think about them:

1. Why are you interested in this role? Show you have read about the company and how the role connects with what you want to develop.
2. What is your strength? Pick one and give a real example from a project or activity.
3. Why should we hire you? Talk about how you can help the team, not just that you want experience.

Practise answering aloud with Interview Lab or book a chat with a mentor on Plants.work who works in your target field.

Step 5: negotiate salary with data

New graduates can negotiate too, if done politely and with reasons:

• Research the salary range from several job ads and ask seniors in the same field.
• Give a range with a reason, such as skills or certificates that match the job.
• If salary cannot move, discuss other things, such as a training budget, WFH days or a salary review after probation.

See more sample phrases in salary questions in interviews.

Step 6: handle rejection

A first job search usually means many applications and many rejections. That is normal, not a judgement of your worth. Keep a tracking sheet, note which stage you drop out at, and fix one thing at a time. If you often fail at the resume stage, fix the resume; if you often fail at interviews, practise interviews more.

Your first job does not have to be your dream job. It just needs to help you learn and grow.

What you can do this week

1. Answer the questions in step 1 and choose 1 to 2 target fields
2. Finish the first version of your resume
3. Apply to at least 1 to 2 matching roles a day
4. Practise the 3 interview questions above until you can answer smoothly

For a detailed week-by-week plan, read the 8-week first-job plan, and take the first step of your career with Plants.work.