Avoid Bland Graduate Applications

The more applications you send out the higher your chances are of securing an interview. This statement is NOT true. If you make a relatively small number, targeted and carefully fashioned for the posts that are most appropriate and appealing to you, the chances of being short-listed for a graduate job will be considerably higher than firing 100 bland applications at the market and hoping one of them will stick.

Graduate Market Knowledge

How much do you really know about the industry you want to get into? For most graduate employers knowledge of their industry is extremely important. An in-depth opinion on the subject not only shows that you know what your talking about, but it also says a lot about your passion and interest. What do you like about the industry? Learn a brief history and be able to comment on where it could go in the next 5 years. Who are the big players and where is the company you are interviewing with positioned in the market? Remember, to an employer and the employees interviewing you their industry and service is something they think about all the time during the working week. By commenting or even complimenting you are establishing common ground as well as showing you have your own voice.' View our Sector Profiles

Giving up is the easy way out

You can't get disheartened if you are finding it difficult to get a graduate job! It's no secret that the job market is tough but even in a good economic climate it's never easy to get a job. You can't give up with out a fight. Ask yourself, are you doing absolutely everything you can to get a job or are you occasionally de-motivated and doing less because everyone says "oh it's impossible!". Don't listen to what other people may or may not say about an industry. Experience and research it for yourself and make your own decisions - GRB is always here to do everything we can to help.

Avoid Graduate Application Desperation

Applying to every job under the sun will only damage your job search. Most people would think that if they take this approach they will statistically increase their chances of finding a job but this isn't the case. Because of the increase in this kind of activity employers are more cautious than ever when reviewing applications as they don't want to hire someone who applied to their role as a fourth, fifth or sixth choice. It all comes down to knowing what you want and having a passion for the industry - this is what will give an employer confidence in your potential and hopefully offer you a graduate job.

Targeting Covering Letters for Graduate Jobs

When creating a targeted covering letter you should try to use relevant, focused language rather than the usual skill descriptions like 'teamwork', 'outgoing' or 'hardworking'. Employers can see straight through a 'general' cover letter or an adapted version from one used with another job. Also make sure you always stay relevant to the role by answering to the skill aspects described in the job description.