Graduate Advice - Don't Give Up - Smarten Up!
DON'T GIVE UP - SMARTEN UP!
Although these are difficult times for graduates there are some relatively easy things that you can do to make yourself more attractive to potential employers. Below are some top tips from Monster on how you can increase your employability and your chances of landing a job. Corinne Mills, Monster HR Advisor says: ‘Considering these are hard times for graduates, think about how you can make yourself more attractive to potential employees. Do that charity work, take up that language you wish you could speak, run that marathon or, even take up tight-rope walking so your CV can make you stand out.’
Top tips for graduates looking for jobs:
- Take an extra qualification. Sometimes a degree isn’t enough, so do that charity work you’ve always wanted to do, or otherwise broaden your horizons. Perhaps if you can’t get a paid job at the moment, maybe do some work experience. A well rounded candidate can be very attractive to a future employer. So instead of waiting for tomorrow, do something about it now!
- Make sure your CV is on a recruitment website such as Monster, and that you have registered for job alerts with Real World, then you can look for a job on your sofa in your PJ’s, with a cup of tea in your hand and the telly on. While looking for the job your really want get work experience in the area you want to go into, or take a temp job to make ends meet.
- Try getting in touch with any contacts you have made, perhaps old school or university friends or ex-colleagues, and even ex-tutors, who may know of any jobs that have vacancies.
- If the sector you want to get into is currently not hiring, think how you can apply yourself to another one where jobs are still being offered. Make sure you emphasise your transferable skills on your CV.
- When you go to an interview, always look smart, be punctual and do your homework on the company. Be confident in the interview and believe that you can nail it, but don’t become so over-eager or excited you come across as needy.
- A quick tip - Just because there isn’t a position advertised at the place where you want to work, there is no harm in sending off your CV and asking if there are any available jobs. You never know what might be out there so use a bit of creativity in order to catch their attention.
Go to the advice area of the website for more great tips and comment.
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