You’re about to graduate, and it’s time to think about your next steps in life. trying to get a graduate job can be daunting, but have faith, and follow our tips to maximise your chances of landing your dream graduate job.

Start early

Start looking for graduate jobs and thinking about what you want to do as early as you can. It might be difficult, but there is a lot of support and information out there, and you will reap the rewards as you come ever nearer graduating.

Your careers service will be able to help, there may even be courses or programmes designed to get you starting to think about what you want in a graduate job. Even making an appointment with a careers advisor can help you to focus and start the process.

Bolster your professional online presence

These days, many employers will check social media sites before they hire a graduate, so make sure your social media presence is professional. Clear up anything that you don’t want a potential employer to see and find, and make sure your privacy settings on various social media sites are tight and secure.

Also, if you haven’t got one already, consider creating a Linkedin account, where you can showcase your academic and professional highlights and skills. Make sure that you’re active on Linkedin and that you have a decent presence on them. It’s also a great way to network with others in your chosen profession and connect with recruiters.

Introduce yourself to recruiters and make sure they know what you can offer them

There are plenty of ways to do this, from connecting with them via Linkedin, email, or at networking events put on by your careers service. Don’t be afraid to make contact with them first, and politely set out what kinds of roles you are looking for and what you could offer to such potential roles. 

It’s a good idea to make contact and sign up with some recruitment agencies specialising in graduate jobs too. You have to be proactive in order to demonstrate your willing and commitment in finding your dream graduate job.

Upload your CV to job sites

Create an account with job sites, upload your CV, and fill in your profile with as much information as possible. There is always a chance that you may be found by employers and recruiters this way. Don’t forget to upload your CV to Linkedin too for employers to view! Read here for some of the Job Sites you could use.

Tailor your applications

Sending the same or similar applications to each and every job you apply for won’t work, it will be obvious to a recruiter that you have sent a generic application, and will probably be ignored. Instead, make you you fine tune each application to each role, thinking about how you meet the job description for each one. This way, you are far more likely to impress and increase your chances of getting a job.

Use your network to your advantage

Your network is a good way to scout out any ‘hidden jobs’ jobs that may not be advertised on job sites, as well as any upcoming opportunities. People in your network could also recommend you to any recruiters or potential employers, making you known to them. You may be the perfect candidate for a role, but only if you use the power of your network.

Make yourself as employable as possible

If your CV, experience or skill set is a bit lacking, try and bolster it by taking any relevant volunteering opportunities that may arise in order to add them to your CV and impress employers.

If you have skills such as writing or photography, see if you can do any freelance work, in order to demonstrate that you can work independently and for yourself, whilst getting results. Postgraduate or further study may also be an option if you feel yourself needing more skills and knowledge, or if you feel you may want to move into a different sector/specialism.

Research the types of companies you want to work for

By doing a little research into companies you fancy working for, you’ll be able to concentrate and focus your efforts into creating an impressive application, instead of applying for each and every company that offers graduates jobs. This will also help you to create more tailored and targeted applications, sure to impress employers.

Look at startups

Startups can be dynamic, fast-growing and exciting companies to work for. Many students may overlook them whilst looking for graduate jobs as many won’t offer graduate schemes, but they can be a good place for a graduate to start their careers.

You’ll probably find yourself working in a much smaller team, and taking a more hands-on approach in your work, which could really kick-start your career. You could find yourself rising through the ranks much quicker due to the agile and fast-growing nature of a startup.

Keep going!

Job hunting can be really disheartening, and it’s understandable that you will want to give up at times, but push through and keep going. Your persistence will pay off in the end, and you will find your dream graduate job eventually. Everyone works at their own pace, so don’t worry if some of your friends find a job sooner than you, focus upon yourself and keep at it until you find one yourself.

These are some of our best tips for getting a graduate job in the UK

Finding a graduate job may seem daunting, but once you have got your degree, your hard work will pay off and you will eventually receive the rewards for it and hopefully have a successful career, in whatever you do.

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