Navigating the Job Market: A Guide for Recent Graduates

1. Have a Clear Goal

Avoid a scattergun approach to applications. This will dent your confidence as you may find you're getting rejected for roles you knew originally weren’t even of interest. To help you narrow down your search think about:

• What are my career aspirations?
• What industries and roles excite me?
• What skills and strengths do I bring to the table?
• What transferable skills do I have from previous jobs or studies?
  
  

2. Dedicate Time

Job hunting can be very time consuming. Make sure you are ready and able to commit your efforts to your job search. This could mean waiting until you have completely finished your studies and have taken a short break to decompress and get in the right headspace.

You can combat the amount of time it takes by: 

• Be proactive
• Reply to people quickly
• Be prepared to interview at short notice
• Register with a reputable agency
  
  

3. Write a Great CV

Your CV is your first impression on potential employers. Make sure it stands out by:

• Have your contact details and location clearly included
• Keeping it concise and —one page is often sufficient for new graduates
• Use consistent and clear formatting
• Include transferable skills from previous part time work you may have done during your studies
• Proofread – then proofread again!
  
  

4. Utilise Social Media

Potential employers are likely to look you up on social media, so make sure your personal socials are kept private and start to build your presence on LinkedIn. Improve your LinkedIn by:

• Use a professional profile photo
• Detail your education and work experience – this is your online CV
• Start building your network – follow companies you are interested in and connect with people who are actively recruiting
• Engage with content that is relevant to the industries you are trying to break into
  
  

6. Prepare for Interviews

Once you land an interview, preparation is key. To prepare effectively:

• Research the company’s history, values, and recent news
• Plan your journey and aim to arrive about ten minutes early
• Practice common interview questions and develop concise, impactful answers, using real life examples to back up what you are saying
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role and company culture
  
  

7. Stay Positive

The job search process can be lengthy and sometimes discouraging. Stay positive by:

• Setting daily or weekly goals for your job search activities
• Taking breaks to recharge and maintain your mental health
• Celebrating small wins, like completing an application or landing an interview
  
  

8. Ask for feedback, and act on it.

After every interview politely ask for feedback.

• Make a note of this, and use your notes when you are preparing for your next interview
• Practice interviewing with a friend or family member, based on the feedback you have been given
• Remember – interviewing is a skill and practice makes perfect