What Steps to Take After Graduation for a Young Graduate?

Did you just graduate? That's great news and an important milestone in your professional career! However, don't think you can rest on your laurels just yet... You’ll need to complete at least three essential steps to properly transition into working life.

Registering as a job seeker

No matter what, the first thing to do after obtaining your diploma is to register as soon as possible as a job seeker with the employment agency in your region of residence:

• Actiris for the Brussels-Capital Region
• Le Forem for the Walloon Region
• VDAB for the Flemish Region
• ADG for the German-speaking Community

Registering as a job seeker will allow you to begin your "professional integration internship," which lasts 310 days (effectively one year, since Sundays are not counted, unlike public holidays). This period is meant for you to actively search for a job, but without receiving any benefits.

If you graduated in June, no worries—you can register immediately. Try to do so before August 8th, so your internship can officially start on August 1st. However, if you have a second exam session, you must wait until the day after your last resit exam or the submission of your thesis/dissertation before registering. In this case, your internship will start on the day of your registration.

It’s only after completing the 310-day professional integration internship that you may be eligible for insertion benefits if you still haven’t found a job. You will then need to meet certain conditions, such as being under 25 years old at the time of your application. Also, keep in mind that your parents will continue to receive family allowances throughout your integration internship, except for the months when you earn more than €520.08 gross.

Finally, if you find a job during your integration internship, all days worked as an employee will count towards the 310-day requirement.

Registering as a primary member with a health insurance fund

During your professional integration internship, you remain dependent on your parents' health insurance (as long as you are still under 25 years old).

Once you find a job or when your internship ends, you must register as a primary member with a health insurance fund of your choice (which can be different from your parents' mutuality).

As a reminder, being properly registered with a health insurance fund ensures reimbursement for medical expenses (such as hospitalization, medication, etc.).

Actively looking for a job

The final key step is to actively search for employment.

The ONEM (National Employment Office) will conduct two evaluations during your professional integration internship:

1. The first in the 7th month of your internship
2. The second in the 11th month

A negative evaluation will extend your internship period, delaying your eligibility for insertion benefits.

By following these steps, you'll be on the right track to successfully entering the job market! 🚀