After graduating from university it can feel quite daunting entering the ‘real world’. You are now faced with finding a graduate job and deciding which career path to choose. There are some steps that you can take to ensure that you are prepared and ready to take on the competition.
1. Identify your strengths
What are you best at? What skills do you have? Where do your strengths lie? These are all questions you should be asking yourself when starting your graduate job hunt. Once you identify your strengths it will give you a better understanding of what type of role you want to apply for and when you are looking at job descriptions you will be able to decide which ones would best suit you. You will also be able to see what areas you need to improve on and where your weaknesses lie. There are websites online that can help you to identify your skills, such as Mindtools.
2. Explore your options
A graduate job might not be the next step you want to take as there are plenty of other options. Internships are a great way for you to get experience in an industry and is often a way of getting your foot in the door. You also might want to volunteer while you search, this will give you more experience and extra skills to add to your CV. There are a wide range of graduate schemes that you could complete instead of jumping straight into a job, these will give you more knowledge about an industry and will improve your skills in a particular area to make you better prepared for a graduate role.
3. Network
Does your university have career fairs or employer presentations and events? If so, then go! You will discover the organisations that offer graduate jobs and will learn more about the industry you want to get into. The old saying still goes ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know’, the more people you get to know and connect with the more likely you are to hear about opportunities and job openings.
Using sites like LinkedIn can also help you to connect with employers and can help you to identify those who are influential within your industry. Make use of every connection you have, no matter how big or small, you never know when it will come in handy in the future!
4. Join job sites and recruitment agencies
By joining websites and recruitment agencies you will be notified when jobs in your desired sector or jobs that fit your specific skill set become available, and you will never miss any new vacancies. It may also make you aware of any other roles or sectors that have previously gone undiscovered.
Many recruitment agencies will also offer you advice, provide skill development and will support you through your job search.
Once you’ve perfected your CV, be sure to upload it to CV-Library so that employers can get in touch with you about relevant jobs!
5. Utilise social media
Social media is where more and more people are networking. There are many platforms online where you can demonstrate your skills for prospective employers to view and that may even help you to secure a job. If you have a particular skill you can show this on social media. Show off your photography skills on Instagram. Share your travelling experiences on BlogSpot. Passionate about interior design? Show it off on Pinterest! There is a social media platform for you to showcase almost any skill! Also follow the organisation you are applying to on social media as you can keep up to date with any news and information they share.
6. Tailor applications
You should tailor each cover letter to each role you apply to. This will show employers that you have taken time to carefully read the job descriptions and expectations of the role. Apply your experience and skills to each of the requirements of the job and provide examples of times you have demonstrated particular skills. Be passionate in your applications, make sure you stand out and tell them why you should get the role over other candidates. This is your time to shine!
7. Practice your interview technique
It is important that you are prepared for your job interview. Take time out to make sure you research the company, and find out as much about the industry and the products/services that the organisation provides. Also, make sure that you have studied the job description and know the tasks that would be required of you so that you can tell them why you’d be the best candidate for the job. It is also beneficial to have some questions prepared to ask the employer at the end of the interview as this will prove that you are eager to learn and have a genuine interest in the organisation.
If you want to further improve your interview technique and job applications, search around for workshops, read advice books and watch videos. Also, utilise your student employability service at your university, they are there to help so ask them any questions you may have.
Finally, good luck with your graduate job search!
For Graduate jobs, head over to www.studentjob.co.uk and if you have any questions or queries, send them to info@studentjob.co.uk.
Contributed by Sophie-Anne Bradley of Student Job
