Starting your career after university can be daunting. With the number of graduates increasing each year, competition for graduate jobs is fierce. However, with careful preparation and persistence, you can stand out from the crowd and secure your first graduate role.
Here are some top tips to help you get started.
Perfecting Your CV
Your CV is one of the most important elements of your job search. It provides a snapshot of your skills, experience and achievements, and is often the first impression employers have of you. When creating your CV for school leaver, there are several things you need to focus on:
Tailor it to the Role
Don’t just send out a generic CV to all jobs. Study the job description carefully and ensure your CV is tailored. Emphasise skills and experience that match the role.
Keep it Concise
Your CV should be no longer than 2 pages. Use concise bullet points rather than lengthy paragraphs.
Focus on Achievements
Use power words like “increased”, “improved” and “delivered” to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. Quantify results where possible to demonstrate the impact you made.
Check for Errors
Spelling and grammar mistakes give a bad impression. Always proofread thoroughly and ask others to check it too.
Layout and Format
Keep your CV clean, consistent and easy to scan. Use an appropriate layout with clear headings and plenty of white space.
Tell Your Story
Think about the overall narrative your CV presents. Make sure it shows clear progression and reflects your passions, skills and personality.
Spending time perfecting your CV is vital for graduate job hunting success. It enables you to make the best possible impression on paper before you have the chance to impress in person.
Building Your Professional Network
Networking is a crucial part of seeking graduate employment, yet something many school leavers overlook. Attend career fairs, join alumni groups on LinkedIn and connect with professionals in your industry.
You can also reach out to past internship managers or academics who may be willing to provide advice or introductions. Speaking directly with companies, even when no roles are advertised, gets you on their radar.
Network contacts can alert you to opportunities, put in a good word and provide insider tips. They can also help you prepare for interviews by giving insight into company culture and values.
Expanding your professional network takes initiative but is one of the most effective ways to access the hidden job market.
Getting Work Experience
Gaining relevant work experience while studying gives you an edge over other graduates. It allows you to develop technical skills and commercial awareness. Completing internships or placements related to your desired career shows you have industry experience beyond just a degree.
If you weren’t able to get a placement during university, see if you can find vacation work or shadowing opportunities. Temping also provides exposure to professional environments. Any experience you can get will strengthen your graduate applications.
Make the most of your work experience by obtaining a detailed reference. Having a referee vouch for your abilities can help convince employers to take a chance on you.
Showcasing Your Skills
Academic success alone is not enough to secure graduate employment. You also need commercial skills and business acumen. Things like teamwork, problem solving, communication, analytics, leadership and organisation are highly valued.
Reflect on the transferable skills you have developed through your degree, extracurricular activities, work experience, and life in general. Identify examples that showcase these skills and include them in your CV and graduate applications.
Proving you have versatile business skills makes you an appealing graduate hire.
Acing the Application
When applying for graduate vacancies, your cover letter, application form and assessment tests matter just as much as your CV.
Research the company thoroughly and explain why you want to work for them in particular. Show enthusiasm for their mission, values and opportunities.
Follow instructions precisely, paying close attention to detail. Tailor your content specifically to each application. Generic applications that look copied and pasted get rejected.
With assessment centres, thoroughly prepare for numeracy, literacy, critical thinking and psychometric tests. Practice online so you are familiar with the formats.
Preparing for Interviews
Interviews are your chance to showcase your potential and make a positive impression. Be sure to adequately prepare:
- Research the company, role, industry trends and competitors. This demonstrates commercial awareness and passion.
- Predict likely interview questions and practice responses aloud. Prepare examples that back up your skills and strengths.
- Plan sensible questions to ask the interviewer, showing your interest.
- Dress professionally and ensure you know the interview location and time. Arrive 10-15 minutes early.
- Display confidence and enthusiasm throughout. Smile, make eye contact, sit up straight and shake hands firmly.
Keep believing in yourself and persevering. Your hard work will pay off with the right graduate opportunity.
