Finding work when you have just finished your Degree at University can be a daunting task and after the years of studying can leave you wondering where to start. It is an important time of a graduates life applying for what could essentially be their career position and therefore it needs to be well thought out and below are some tips that could be helpful when beginning the job search.
#1 Work Experience
It’s important to see what work experience you have done throughout your studies and if you have had any part time jobs or done a year out for example. Any experience that you have had that shows that you have done some work as well as studying is always good for an employer to see what you are capable of.
#2 Your CV
Having a good CV is essential as this is the document that will be the initial decider for a company to see if they want to interview you so ensuring that you have the right amount of detail and tailor this to the specific role that you are applying for is key to getting your foot through the door.
#3 References
As you are fresh out of university do you have good references that people can refer to, from your University Lecturer or any part time jobs that you have done whilst you have been at University. Anything that can state what work that you have and it will show to employers what other people think of you to give them an idea of your skills and what you could do for them.
#4 Expectations v Realistic
Make sure that you expectations are realistic. When leaving university its easy to come out with a set knowledge about what you should be earning in the job world. In actual fact most jobs are not at that level and at lot about getting a first role is about making sure that you do something related to your degree, something that you want to do and also to make sure that you gain as much professional experience as possible in your chosen career and the way to do this is through work.
#5 Skills and experiences
Have you had a look at your skills and experiences and do they match what you are hoping to apply for? To be taken seriously and to match against what an employer is looking for then it is important to have the right skills and experiences so that they can compare your skills to the position they are trying to fill.
#6 Register with recruitment agencies
Go and visit the recruitment agencies, see what they have to offer? Find one that specialises in Graduate recruitment in the sector of your choice and help them to find you a role. You can help them through research and any job knowledge you have through your friends, word of mouth, scouring the papers or internet etc.
#7 Get your CV online
Register your CV on line through various websites so that employers looking for candidates can search directly and find someone with your skills.
#8 Recommendations
Follow up any recommendations that you have from people as some of your friends may be applying for a job but they may not be well matched to that particular role where as you may have better skills or some direct experience which gives you an advantage.
#9 Speak to your tutor
By speaking to your tutor, he or she will be able to advise you on the correct path. Universities usually have careers departments that are specifically there to help graduates when finishing their degree and giving them advice on finding a job, help with CV, where to apply etc. As a free service it is well worth while.
#10 Where are your friends applying?
You will all (if on the same course) be looking for similar jobs in probably similar areas so can you share that information, help each other? I know its competition but its healthy competition with you all in the same boat and it shortens your research time if you can all group together in a search.
Can you relocate?
Are you restricted where you can move to at this time or are you flexible about where you can live? If you are flexible then you have more opportunity to go where the big companies are who take graduates on graduate schemes, this could be an idea worth thinking about.
