Graduate recruitment
It can take time to get a job you're happy with once you've graduated, so make sure you've got a few tricks up your sleeve with our graduate guide.
Finding a job
The first and most obvious step is to consider the area you'd like to work in. Some people know exactly what they want to do, but it can take longer to pinpoint your perfect job.
- Visiting your careers advisor - even though you have graduated, your uni's career centre is still open to you, so take advantage.
- Searching in national, regional and local papers - many papers have days for specific career areas such as education, media or social care.
- Looking at industry papers/journals - keep up-to-date with industry news and check listed vacancies.
- Searching the internet - for recruitment and graduate sites specific to your chosen industry.
- Registering with recruitment agencies - they'll know about jobs that aren't advertised and help you improve your CV.
- Looking for graduate schemes - fewer schemes are running these days, but they do still exist. Check recruitment adverts and contact companies directly.
- Using your contacts - tell friends and family you are looking for work - you never know who they might know.
Naeema Pasha, an eCareers consultant with Prospects and deputy director of Reading University Careers Service, suggests Prospects' services. "Prospects offers careers guidance via email and a CV checking service where graduates can complete an online CV and get feedback from a careers adviser," she says. "Many universities also offer a service for graduates who live in the area, even if you studied somewhere else. Talk to your nearest uni to find out what's available in your area."
Of course, it will take some people longer than others to find work, depending on who they are and what opening they're after, but many graduates spend anything from a few weeks to a year searching for the right role. If you do find you're in a situation where you've been hunting without any luck, here's how you can improve your chances:
Get another job
It might not be what you want to do for the rest of your life but you can earn some money and gain new skills. For example, get admin temping work if you want an office-based career. Even if it's seriously dull, you'll build up skills that could help you land your dream job later, such as communication, teamwork and time management.
Get support
If you're looking for work, you may be entitled to benefits. If you haven't claimed, start by checking out the Jobcentre Plus website or visiting Citizens Advice, who can do a full benefits check.
Directgov runs a free careers advice service: call them on 0800 100 900, request a free callback or send an email.
I don't just think work experience is valuable, it's essential. It's a great way to gain contacts and future job references
Work experience
Whatever sector you are aiming for, work experience will be an asset. It proves your dedication to potential employers, shows you already have a basic idea of the work involved and can give you the chance to grill people doing the job you want.
Sarah Peters found work experience extremely rewarding. "I don't just think work experience is valuable, it's essential. It's a great way to gain contacts and future job references," she enthuses. "Be helpful and friendly and get people noticing you. If you finish a piece of work, ask if you can get any more to do. Above all, try your very best to enjoy it," she says.
Sarah's experience of being a 'workie' is a very positive one; she was recommended by staff at her placement for a position at a similar company, a job she would never have known about in other circumstances.
Review your CV
Your CV may need updating or boosting to its full potential. "What skills, abilities and experience do you have? Are you effectively selling them on your CV?" asks Naeema. She also suggests you do the following to improve your chances of success:
- Know yourself - do a skills audit. What exactly are you offering? Know the occupation you are going for - and the skills and qualities needed for the role. Doing this means you can think of examples to give on your CV as well as at interview
- Know the company - you should always know more about them than they have already told you in the job ad. Look at company reports and their website
- Know about the sector in which the employer operates.
Further study?
Think about how you could benefit from more study. For some careers you may have to study to a certain level to ensure a job in the future, but it may not be the best option right now.
It may help to gain the relevant skills from an evening or part-time course. Just make sure you're enrolling for the right reasons - Don't do a postgraduate course to put off job-hunting for another year, you might find yourself in the same position when you finish, only somewhat poorer.
Has our article helped you? We've got five Sony PlayStation 3 slim consoles to give away. Just answer a few short questions about what you thought of our content and you'll be in with a chance of winning one. Please click here to help.
Written by Sarah Willoughby
