Jobs & Careers

[dmitrinekol]

The graduate job market isn't easy, and you won't be alone in wondering how to stand out from the crowd.
But, if you're searching for your dream graduate job, have faith. With some small changes to the way you approach applications, you could be living it up in your ideal office before you know it.
The right job is out there waiting for you, and we've compiled some tips to help you get there.
Did you know that taking a gap year can actually help you get a job? It might sound too good to be true, but travelling actually makes you more employable.

11 tips to find the perfect graduate job​

Here are the best ways to get your ideal job as a graduate:

1. Appear professional on social media​

   Credit: Flamingo Images, Pinone Pantone, Avector – Shutterstock
   The first thing you should be doing as a student or graduate job searcher is making sure you have a professional online presence.
   We're not suggesting you post photos of yourself wearing work clothes all the time (or ever), and you definitely don't need to tweet solely about work. But it's essential to present yourself as respectful, trustworthy and employable on social media to convince recruiters to hire you.
   For in-depth advice about this, check out our guides to getting a job using Twitter, LinkedIn or social media in general.

2. Upload your CV to job sites​

   Credit: NBC
   Job sites aren't just used by people hoping to find a job – employers and recruiters often search through them when looking for potential candidates too.
   There's a chance that a future employer could come across your CV on a job site and realise you're the ideal candidate for them. It's too good an opportunity to miss.
   Creating a profile and uploading your CV will probably take around 15–30 minutes, but it's worth it.
   It goes without saying, but you should also be uploading your CV to your LinkedIn profile too – you wouldn't believe how many employers use LinkedIn to snoop on potential candidates!

3. Use graduate recruitment agencies​

   
   
   Credit: Warner Bros.
   It's definitely worth looking into recruitment agencies when you're trying to get a job after uni.
   There are thousands of recruitment agencies all over the UK, and many of them specialise in graduate jobs.
   These agencies get paid a commission for filling a company's vacancy, meaning they're great to have on your side – they want you to get a job almost as much as you do.
   But, while there are pros to using a recruitment agency to land your first job, there are also a few cons that you should be aware of before using them. Our guide to using recruitment agencies will fill you in on everything you need to know to get the most out of their services.

4. Tailor every application for the role​

   Credit: Africa Studio – Shutterstock
   Most jobs will require you to submit a covering letter and tailored CV when you apply. It might be tempting to just dish out the same documents for each job, but please never do this.
   It might seem like a total headache to tailor every application you send out but, if you don't, recruiters will be able to tell (trust us).
   Ultimately, aim for quality over quantity when filling out graduate job applications. It's not a good use of your time to apply for 100 jobs if none of your applications are actually focused on the role you're applying for.
   It's not just about telling potential employers all about you – it's also equally important to tell them why you are perfect for this specific role at this particular company.
   The key to getting called for a job interview is to tailor your cover letter and CV to the job in hand, so read the job spec in loads of detail before applying.
   Bonus tip: You don't have to create an entirely new CV each time. When saving your previous efforts, choose a file name that identifies which role the CV is for – then, when you start a new application, you can add to the info that's already there to fit the new job spec.

5. Ask connections about job opportunities​

   
   Sometimes, it's not about what you know, but who you know. Whether it's fair or not is another question, but thousands of job vacancies are filled each year through word of mouth alone.
   If you know someone who works for a company you're interested in, get them to recommend you; if you know someone who works in an industry you're interested in, ask them to put you in touch with the right person.
   Many companies now offer a bonus to employees if they put someone forward for a position and they are recruited, so you could even earn your connection a little extra cash.
   

   How to make new work connections​

   If you don't have many connections in your chosen industry, there are loads of ways to make new contacts.
   Do some research into companies you'd like to work for and create a list of the relevant contacts by searching on LinkedIn. You can then reach out to them personally by email to introduce yourself and ask about vacancies.
   Social media is a great way to connect with important people, so do your research into who's who and reach out (after making your online presence look more professional, of course).

6. Make yourself more employable​

   Credit: DreamWorks Pictures
   Easier said than done, right? This might sound like the most annoying tip ever, but it's much more actionable than you'd think.
   With a huge number of graduates entering the job market with top grades each year, it's hard to stand out with your degree alone.
   Finding new ways to make yourself more employable is just as important, like doing voluntary work, gaining work experience or getting a free online qualification in an area related to your chosen career.
   Starting your own blog or website is also a great way to show you're a self-starter, and can even contribute to offering a broader picture of who you are to potential employers. And, better yet – you could even make money from the website if you're savvy...
   

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