CV tips on Interests and Hobbies

Every CV should have a small part dedicated to your interests and hobbies. This is your chance to not only show you're an interesting person, but to also cover interests you pursue that relate to the industry you're applying to. For example, if you were trying to get into Banking and Finance Graduate Jobs and you read the Financial Times, it would be perfect to note that in your spare time you enjoy catching up on the FT news. Don't worry, not all your interests have to be angled in this way. Be honest and get as many interesting hobbies and activities in there as you can without going on too long. It's your chance to help them build a bigger picture of you as a person so make sure you create the right impression.

The Year Ahead as a Graduate

The final run-up to the seasonal break is here and once you finally get the time to rest, make sure you reserve just a little moment to take a breather, reflect on the year and plan for the new one. As 2011 approaches, the prospects of annual recruitment budgets being positively re-assessed for the new year will see activity in the graduate world taking the shortest holiday of all. This means you have to stay on the pulse and keep up to date with any changes to the industries you are looking to break into. You can also use the time through this quieter period to re-work CVs and fine tune them ready for January so as soon as new jobs start being released, you are ready to apply.

Graduate job hunt now or later?

If you're in your final year there are many pros and cons for job hunting now or later. Some would say focus on your studies to make sure you get the grade you need which would be good advice. Others would say application deadlines need attention and if you miss the classic 'grad scheme window' then you won't be able to apply again until next year. This can be true for some roles and it's always important to start getting things in motion while still at uni, but it's also important to remember that these jobs only make up a portion of the market. The graduate job market is huge, and many of you will more than likely end up working for a company you have never heard of who don't recruit in the classic grad scheme circles. These companies and many more (not always graduate focused) recruit all year round so if you're worried about not having the time to make enough applications now due to your uni work load, don't let it stress you out. Focus on what you see as a priority, stick with it and when those deadlines are met, go for it!

What do employers look for?

What employers look for in a potential graduate may not be as simple as you think - degree, A-levels, work experience, IT skills etc. They are also looking for a number of other attributes which you need to get across not only in your CV, but your interviews as well. It obviously varies from job to job but generally at the top of the list they will be looking for enthusiasm, self-reliance, problem solving and verbal and written communication skills. Possessing a portfolio of skills such as this which are flexible enough to adapt to any number of graduate jobs and situations will increase your employability a great deal. If you feel that you are lacking in any of these areas then work on them so you can apply with confidence!

Memorise your open applications

When you're firing out CVs to a range of different roles it can be difficult to remember who each one was with, what the role entailed and how you went about applying. If you want to make a really good first impression, memorise your open applications as best you can so if you unexpectedly receive a pre-screening call you are prepared for any questions and have something to offer back in conversation. Remembering and being instantly knowledgeable on the role will show you're really serious and that it has been at the forefront of your mind ahead of other applications. First impressions count so much in these situations as the recruiter will normally have a lot of people to look through so don't answer with:


"erm, sorry I've applied to so many roles I can't remember which one you are talking about"

...as for the interviewer that will put an instant question mark above your head!

Graduate Career Advice On iTunes

Just incase you didn't know, a podcast is a downloadable digital audio file that is most commonly used for radio talk shows and news stories but is now also a widespread form of media for many businesses. The Graduate Recruitment Bureau are pleased to announce that our Podcast episodes are now available for download free from iTunes.


Listen to the latest career advice on finding a graduate job. From sector profiles and industry secrets, to CV advice and interview questions -GRBs podcasts offer great advice on everything you need to get the career you deserve. You can find them in the iTunes Store now!

Click here to download our current podcasts and subscribe to our feed to keep up to date with all the latest advice from The Graduate Recruitment Bureau.

Your Graduate CV Guide Part 2

Last week we told you how to introduce your CV with an opening statement and your education history. This week we are covering how to present the rest of your CV starting with your work experience. List the jobs that you have had starting with the most recent, including the job role, employer name and a brief outline of your main responsibilities along with accurate dates. Be prepared to explain any gaps in employment and anything that is not relevant to the role you are applying for needs to be kept very brief with just a line or two explaining what you did during this time. Bullet points are the best way to display this information on your CV.

The next section should be a summary of your achievements and skills, list any extra curricular activities including your hobbies, but make sure you can justify how they make you a more interesting person. Relate them to the job specification and the company's requirements wherever possible. You should also include extra qualifications, awards and training plus any positions of responsibility within societies.

Lastly you should note that your references are available on request so when you come to this stage you are able to provide up to date and appropriate references.

Your Graduate CV Guide Part 1

We can't stress enough how important it is that your CV is serving its purpose effectively so over the next two Tip of the Week's we will be covering the best way to present it and what information to include.

It's true that employers will make a judgment on your suitability within the first 30 seconds of looking at your CV, so make sure it accomplishes the following: Start with your name and contact details and consider an opening statement of no more than 2-3 sentences to outline your career ambitions. Be sure to customise this to the job you are applying for so you stand out as a perfect candidate. List any important references to yourself such as your blog, if you write one, your website or your professional social media profiles such as LinkedIn. You could include a photo to add a touch of personality but this is not compulsory.

Your education history should begin with the most recent and detail where you studied, courses, dates and grades or predicted grades. Overall the tone of your CV should be positive, straight to the point, relevant to the job and it should not exceed 2 pages. Next week we will cover the work experience section, achievements/skills, interests and references.

Deciding on a Postgraduate Course

It is possible that you have already considered pursuing a postgraduate course after you have completed your undergraduate degree. A postgraduate course could enhance your future by increasing your chances of employment in your chosen career and developing your knowledge and qualifications, but it can be a difficult choice so ask yourself exactly what you want to get out of it.

Many master’s and diplomas are linked to specific careers and some are essential entry points into professions such as a Barrister or a Teacher. Research the course you are interested in by speaking to previous students and take advantage of the university careers team who can give you an unbiased view. It is important to read the prospectus carefully to make sure it covers the options and electives that you want; will it qualify you to work in your chosen career? Lastly, after having your heart set on a particular course, apply in plenty of time to save disappointment.

For more information and to search for postgraduate courses click here

Making your final year count

With the pending rise in university fees meaning future students could pay up to £30,000 for a degree, it's increasingly important to make your final year count so you come away with a degree grade that can hold its own in the competitive graduate job market. If you want to achieve this you have to focus, approach your work load professionally and take it step by step - don't let it stress you out.

As a final year student, you should already be looking at your next step as a graduate. You don't have to put pressure on yourself just at least start to put in some research and not fear the task of planning for life after university. This could be as simple as some internet research to find out what you can actually do with your degree or attending the careers fairs that are taking place around the country in the next few weeks - find out about your nearest fair and make sure you attend. The Graduate recruitment Bureau will be visiting upcoming careers fairs to tell graduates about our opportunities. Come and visit us at The Guardian London Graduate fair from The Careers Group on the 19th October.

The importance of researching before your interview

You will be surprised how many people do not realise the importance of researching graduate employers before applying for a job or attending an interview. Graduate recruiters will expect you to have some understanding and awareness of their organisation and the business sector in which it works so make sure you have some strong facts lined up. The main background information that you should research includes; what the company does and where they are based; the company’s milestones, achievements and history; who its customers are; which market it operates in; its main competitors; information on how the company is growing; how the company has been effected by the recession and also the company’s unique selling points (USP’s).

Career fairs and Fresher’s fairs

University life kicks off with the simply unmissable Autumn Career fairs and Fresher’s fairs. Fresher’s Week will not be complete without a visit to the single biggest event organised by your university which welcomes thousands of students who have just started, bringing a certain amount of excitement and uncertainty.

The upcoming Career fairs during September and October will provide valuable information and direction to beginning your job search. You can register with graduate recruitment agencies looking for candidates and find out about work placements, internships and volunteer work, which is a great start to shaping your CV. Don’t forget about the Fresher’s fair even if you’re not a new starter, as it’s still a good opportunity to refresh your memory about the facilities on offer outside your course of study, from sport, right through to trampolining, cheerleading, and badminton; and interests like film, music, and culture. It's a great way to meet like minded people. Local businesses including fast food restaurants, hairdressers, gyms and nightclubs are often in fierce competition resulting in them going to great lengths to win over students to get them to use their products or services, so there will be great freebies, giveaways and discounts, make sure you don’t miss out on anything!

Why are you being rejected?

Rejection is unfortunately something you will usually encounter during your search for a graduate job. It can make you doubt yourself and can knock your self esteem. However it is possible to use this to your advantage in your future job search as assessing these past unsuccessful applications can make your job search more effective, making rejection less likely. You could be applying too widely across different industries, or applying within a very specific field resulting in missed opportunities elsewhere. Don’t let your strategies go stale, apply speculatively and keep your eyes peeled for networking opportunities where you can build your contacts. Another reason you may be falling at the first hurdle is that you need more experience so consider applying for work experience or even voluntary work Proven experience in a working environment is much more attractive to an employer than just a degree.

A Fresh Start

Think of the new year as a chance to get out there and to make the most out of your time. You will learn a lot more at university than just how to write a dissertation.  You will discover your independence and learn to survive on your own and it is very important to balance work and play so that you are motivated to do your best at university. Motivate yourself by getting involved with all of student life and set goals during the year to maximise your achievements and to develop good habits for the future. Join a gym or take regular exercise to get fit, or you could join a sports team which would help you meet new people and improve your fitness. Look out for societies that interest you, and becoming a representative for a student union or society will also look great on your CV.

Covering Correctly

As a graduate employer wading through applications, you can spot a generic covering letter from a mile off. It’s so easy as an applicant to fire out the same thing over and over again but it’s not going to do you any favours. Make sure to refer to points made in the job description, and early on, as generally most recruiters will read the first few lines and skim-read the rest. Also make sure your covering letter isn’t too long, 150-300 words max. You want to give them the most relevant information first so you should mention every attribute you possess that meets the job specification. It’s your chance to summarise what specifically makes you the perfect candidate, so don’t start talking about any kind of project or experience that doesn’t link directly to what they are looking for.

Relocation, Relocation, Relocation

Many of us fall in love with the city where we studied, and it is tempting to hold out for a job that means you can stay put. However, this is not always a sensible option, and certainly not necessarily a realistic one in the current graduate job market. If your for graduate jobs is running dry, strongly consider widening your search to other cities in the UK, or even abroad.  Not only will this open up a huge range of new opportunities, but the bravery, independence and confidence you will demonstrate to potential employers will speak highly of your commitment to the job.   National graduate recruitment agencies will be far more likely to find your perfect graduate job if you are willing to be flexible about where you will be based, making your hunt for the dream job that much easier.

Peer Pressure

When it comes to finding your first graduate job you will no doubt be affected by what your friends plans are. Big name companies in trendy locations. Sounds great in the pub but don't feel you have to "go with the flow". Your best chances may be elsewhere.We all have different goals and time plans so don't become overly worried about the directions your friends are taking. Think for yourself. Develop a strategy over a set time period and don't get distracted. Sure, listen to what they say but remember to stay focused on what's right for you and where you'll end up in 5 years time and don't put uneccessary pressure on yourself.

Consider your online identity when applying for graduate jobs

Like it or not, some employers and recruiters will search for you on social networking websites. You are in control of your online identity and a prudent candidate would take this as seriously as their CV and covering letter. A simple solution would be to restrict public access to your profiles, but a page on a social networking site that shows you are socially active and fun could increase your employment credentials. Just try to avoid anything controversial like an outlandish political view that seemed funny at the time or over use of swearing or any other inappropriate material.

If you haven't already, it may be a good idea to set up a LinkedIn profile. This is an online networking site for professionals. On this site an employer will be able to see the contacts you have made during any previous work experience you have had. Also, if you have an account with LinkedIn it’s often the first result if someone Googles your name, making it easy for them to view your professional history.

Go The Extra Mile with Graduate Job Interviews

Before an interview we all know that it is good practice to do some research. This will help you answer typical questions like ‘tell me what you know about the business?’ The obvious place to find relevant information will be the company’s website. However, the problem is that every other candidate will be doing the same, leaving you with very little to distinguish yourself with - don’t miss this opportunity to impress! When researching before an interview you need to go the extra mile and use your time intelligently. Research the company’s competitors, the market they deal in and see if they have been in the news recently. These are the areas you need to cover if you want to show the interviewer you’re really on the pulse and that you want that graduate job.

Leave on good terms

A key part of a successful move into a new graduate job will be getting a clean breakaway from any current employers. The best approach is to give as much notice as possible and continue working as if you plan to stay. While it is important to give good notice, make sure you have written conformation from your new employer before you do so. Also, try to avoid telling co-workers that you are applying elsewhere. This will allow you to keep your options open. Before leaving, ask a senior person who you a have worked with to give you a reference. If you talk to this person about your future role and what you hope to achieve, then they will be able to promote you in a better way.

Still Graduate Job Hunting? Do Something!

If you have graduated and you are struggling to get a graduate job the best thing to do in the short term is, you guessed it, something! When you get that important interview, the potential employer will ask what you’ve been up to since graduating. If you haven’t got a good response alarm bells will start ringing. If you can reel off a list of useful pursuits it will show you've been busy and create the impression that you could be an active employee. So get out there, pass your driving test, do some voluntary work, learn to play the trombone, visit recruitment fairs, do a sponsored run, shadow a professional and master Mandarin!

The potential of your graduate degree

Here at GRB we quite commonly speak to graduates who don’t realise the actual potential of their qualifications. What we mean by this is that if for example there is a graduate role being advertised in finance, you don’t necessarily need to have studied a finance related degree to be eligible for it. It’s all about reading the job specification and looking into what they are actually looking for. For example we place many people from Humanities backgrounds such as English or History into marketing graduate jobs and PR graduate jobs as they require people with strong research and writing skills. Your degree doesn’t have to dictate what you go into by any means so widen your vision and think about exploring the potential out there.

Did you really read that?

Are you really reading job descriptions in full? If you’re skimming over them in an attempt to get more applications done, it’s likely you’ll make mistakes. Ideally you should be reading over a job description 2-3 times before even considering the best way to apply. Break it down into what the company does, what the requirements are and what type of person they’re looking for. If an employer can tell you’ve half-heartedly skipped over the job advert by submitting an application that’s missing valuable detail previously requested, then welcome to the reject pile! For example, we recently had loads of Finance grads apply to an IT graduate job just because it mentioned hedge funds and graduates applying to a part-time role that clearly stated it was for students still at uni. Having your application rejected from lack of attention can look really bad on your profile so don’t let this be you!

Show Some Urgency

During your job hunt try and show some urgency. If you’re applying for jobs make sure you follow up on applications. Don’t delay applying just because it’s not near the application deadline date. To an employer, being keen and first off the mark are key indicators that you’re made of the right stuff so let it show. Equally, knowing exactly who you have applied to is also very important. It doesn’t look good if an employer replies to your application and you can’t remember when you applied or what the job is. Be prepared and keep notes with you at all times, especially if you are expecting a call.

Don't fight distraction, work with it!

So the summer has officially arrived! With job hunting probably being the next priority, it may seem almost impossible to focus during such good weather and new found freedom. The best way to approach this is to work out a balance of work and play. Remember, only you can master your discipline so if you're feeling guilty because you haven't spent enough time graduate job hunting then treat your job hunt like a job. Your entire education has been spent working to deadlines and when these boundaries are lifted, it can be easy for your attention to drift. To avoid this try setting yourself shifts. For example 10am - 12pm job hunting, followed by a break outside enjoying the sun, before coming back to do another few hours in the evening. Routine is the key here - don't job hunt outside of your hours and do nothing but search and apply for jobs during them. Over time, you will be amazed how productive you've become in those slots solely because you know you have to make it count!

Good Networking

Networking is a sure way to generate leads for job hunting and it’s also a fantastic skill to have as an employee. Sure it can come easier to some people than for others, but if you’re presented with an opportunity to meet a great contact face to face, here are some ground rules: Never ask for a job, ask for information - the subtle, rapport building approach will always reveal answers. Don’t take up too much of their time - no one wants to be remembered as being an inconvenience so be conscious of what they could be doing. Give them a chance to speak - if you don’t then you’ll never learn anything. Create a vehicle for follow-up - if you want to maintain the relationship you need to create an opportunity for you to touch base again, such as offering to email or call them about something they are interested in. Build common ground and your indirect job search will open up with every new contact you speak to.

Make the most of a meeting

Whether it’s a brief meeting with your careers service, approaching a stand at a careers fair or attending an interview make sure you are getting the most out of the situation. Try and anticipate the kind of conversation that will come up and prepare some relevant points to make. Be inquisitive and try and ask something original. Most employers at career fairs can find themselves answering the same questions all day and if the answers can be easily found on the company website (which you should research before) then it just makes you look unprepared. Those all important first impressions really count even if you’re just speaking with someone who could advise you or point you in the right direction to find employment.

Factor in the benefits of graduate jobs

When searching for a graduate job are you considering the benefits as well as the salary? If you're looking at a job description and the salary doesn't meet your expectations, before you dismiss it look a little deeper. For instance, the role could include fantastic benefits such as bonuses or on-target earnings. The company could also be based closer to your home than another job that pays more - work out the travel costs to make an accurate comparison. Maybe they provide a gym membership that you're already paying for somewhere else or a company phone or car. Just remember to have a very clear picture of everything the job has to offer before making a decision as it could cost you!

Latest Tip - CVs that deliver

How sharp is your CV? It's one thing making your CV stand out but it's another ensuring that it reads easily and the right information jumps out from the page. As a recruiter scan reading a CV, the most important things should be easily found such as degree course, degree grade and A-levels. Only include relevant work experience and detail the highlights in bullet points. Leave nothing to question - detail dates that are chronologically watertight. Your interests/hobbies section can really be the only part of your CV that's written in full sentences and paragraphs. Don't ever attempt to pad out content to make it look like you've done more as all that does is make it harder for the recruiter to extract the facts. When you're looking over hundreds of CVs everyday the last thing you have time to do is to read bulk text so if you stretch out information in this way it may get overlooked.

Are you looking for a career or a job?

When searching or applying for graduate jobs what mindset are you in? Are you just looking for a job or are you looking for a career? This is a question all recruiters will be trying to suss out as early as possible in the recruitment process. They’ll be trying to find someone who is looking long term, a person who is really serious and committed to the idea of working in their industry. With this in mind you must be doing everything you can to convince them of this and equally, not applying to jobs that you don’t feel passionate about.

Stay focused during these busy times

We understand that this time can be a difficult to work on job hunting due to exam revision or final projects due all at once - don't let this get the better of you. Focus on remaining calm and not letting this overwhelm you to a point that you lose sight of your job application plans. Things might seem tough to manage at the moment but in the world of work you will face these demanding times on a weekly basis so take it with passion, skill and grace so with everyday you'll become stronger, more confident in your ability and ultimately more employable. If you need a break from revision, why not print out the latest jobs from our feeds to give your eyes a rest from the screen. You can get links to every feed from the orange RSS Feed triangle logo on the folders of our homepage.

Keep your details up to date

If there is one thing that can be really frustrating in graduate recruitment it has to be finding someone who looks perfect for the job and not being able to get in touch with them. We dread to think how many missed opportunities have drifted past over the years so lets not let it happen to you. Foremost, make sure you update us with another email address if you are using a uni one that's about to expire. Secondly ensure we have the most up to date telephone number for you - remember if we can't speak to you we can't put you forward and do our job!

Secure Your References

Now the end of the academic year is approaching it would be a good idea to secure your references so you know that if called upon, they will be happy to recommend you. Bettering that, get a hard copy signed by them - it will really speed up the job offer process if you can present this at interview and also show that you're organised. Your reference normally comes from a tutor/lecturer or an employer whilst at university. It might sound obvious but make sure you pick people that you’ve worked hard for and you know you get on with!

The Perfect Elevator Pitch

You may or may not be familiar with this term but an "elevator pitch" is a phrase to describe when you literally have 20 seconds to sell yourself or product. You never know who you may meet and when so in a graduate's case this pitch is a vital selling tool which you must perfect. Your content should outline who you are, what you do and why you're good at it. Ultimately the use of this pitch will make you come across as confident, focused and your passion unquestionable - a very important characteristic for employers trying to avoid the people that are looking at their industry as a second or third choice. You could also use this as your opening personal statement on your CV.

Questions that question your application

Are you asking the right questions? As we've said in the past - interviews are a two way process however there are some things you could accidentally hint which might bring doubt to your application. In its most obvious form this would be any question related to the role/company that was covered on the job specification/website - make sure you read everything extensively. Making sure they believe the role is perfect for you is the number one priority so don't ask questions about travelling or re-locating if you know the role hasn't suggested any aspect of it or hint at certain skills you would like to use when you know they are unrelated. Other questions like how much holiday do I get? or how often does everyone go out? could make you look unfocused

On a side note GRB are looking for questions from candidates to ask in a graduate employer poll. It must be a multiple choice question so they can vote and you will be accredited for it on our website! Submit your question here

Cut above the rest

It's firmly believed that if you want to guarantee success in this market you should always be on the look out to over-deliver. Remember, the expectations of a company are what they see as a benchmark so the people that come through the ranks are the ones that always look to blow away the competition through acts of sheer confidence and skill with the ability to bring evolution to standards. So how can you achieve this? Well one way is to first understand the needs of a role/company. Work out what ultimately is the end goal (usually revenue!) and come up with ways how you can not just support this requirement but actually better it using your skills. This understanding is crucial when writing your cover letters and even more so at interview.

Have a professional output

For an employer or consultant one of the most talked about "pet-hates" has to be the way in which some candidates choose to communicate. For example you should never be using the title "mate" when referring to them - "cheers mate" or "catch ya later mate" is just not the way to address people you a) don't know and b) are working with on a professional level. The same goes for using text language in emails like "thanx 4 ur email. every1 thinks id b really gud 4 this job". Also - smiley faces, joke email addresses and silly voicemails are a big no no! All these things are fine among friends but look very unprofessional in the graduate market and can really put people off - make sure you're projecting the right first impression.

Using your term break effectively

Now Easter is nearly upon us most of you will be on your term break. Surprisingly during these periods we normally see activity slow down as most students choose to either take it easy or tie up deadlines. If you're the savvy type you'll be using this gap to your advantage by re-assessing yourself and getting back into the job scene. Try taking one or two days out to look through feedback, read back through your CVs, work out where you have been looking and form a new direction which you haven't tried. Searching for a job online can be laborious when there is so much to get through, but in this marketplace it's still an absolute necessity if you want to find a good selection to apply to - especially if you're preferences are quite particular. Remember to always take notes on the different places you search, what industries are looking for, the jobs they have and the advice they may give - but form your own conclusions. It's these notes that can be re-worked back into your job search to help you become more refined.

How can your CV stand out?

CVs are not just about academic content. Presentation and individuality play a very important role as well - have you really thought about what you're putting out there? Some ideas for an original CV could include a link to your website (if you have one like a portfolio or blog), mention of industry related media you follow or have recently seen that impressed you, links to inspiration/articles or any evidence of your involvement in impressive projects that are just out of the ordinary - obviously nothing completely unrelated! Another thing to remember is that recruiters have to sift through a lot of CVs so make sure the entire document is not too wordy (two pages). Bullet point wherever possible and take out any unessential text. Write an opening statement of three or four lines positioned as the first thing they read. In it you should outline your career ambitions and why your skills are suited so they can instantly build a picture of who you are - think about it carefully to avoid sounding like everyone else.

Graduate Career Fair Events

With the spring season almost upon us it's time to set some dates in your diary for the wave of career fairs that fall over the coming months. Career fairs should be seen as a vital ingredient in your search so find out when your university and neighbouring universities are holding theirs as well as any national ones close by. Look into who's attending by either asking the organisers or visiting their website and get some background research done so you can impress on the day. Don't you wish that you could be given the chance to stand out from the pile of CVs employers have on their desk? Well you can because they'll be standing right in front of you! GRB are off to London tomorrow for our first one of the year and you can find out more details here.

Consistency in CV, Application and Interview

Always make sure you are consistent at every stage of the recruitment process. From ensuring you have no unexplained gaps of time between jobs on your CV, through to giving the same answers at interview to similar questions you answered in your application. Not all interviewers will give you a real grilling on contradiction or inconsistency but most of them will home in on it in one way or another. Be sure you can always explain things from every angle, give factual answers and keep every detail on your application at the forefront of your mind.

Key Networking in Graduate Recruitment

Networking plays a key part in finding a graduate job. There are many free online networking tools available - the obvious big names being Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn - which are all new routes to applications. Many employers are embracing these methods so they are a good place to start. Outside of online networking think about who you know, what they do and who they might know. Draw up a list if it helps and contact anyone that might give you a lead. Pushing yourself to make the most of every hint of opportunity will always increase your chances of finding work or work experience. Even if it's by the smallest amount, you never know what it could lead to' Visit our: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Blogger.

The Importance of First Impressions

First impressions count for everything. Remember the old story that an interviewer makes their decision on someone within 30 seconds? Well it's not far from the truth. If you've made it to an interview for a graduate job they already know that on paper you're technically capable of the job, and yes you will still be tested on this, but equally it's your chance to present yourself. If you have the attitude of "well I can do the job so surely that's enough" then you're in for a surprise as employers want to see potential recruits make every effort with their appearance, greetings and personality in conversation. Be friendly, professional and always dress very smart (suit) even if it's not stated!

It's a full time job

Looking for a job is a full time job in itself so try and treat it like one. We know all too well how difficult it can be to motivate yourself and be disciplined with your time but if you really want it, it should come second nature. Don't just dip in and out of searching casually - set yourself times to start and finish, don't wait for deadlines - apply there and then, don't just blindly wonder through the web - have a planned strategy of where to go and when to check. If you're caught snoozing, the next graduate behind you could get their feet under the desk intended for you!

A Professional voicemail and email

Did you know that so often it's the small things that graduates do (or don't do!) that can put off recruiters? A classic example of this which may not be totally obvious is your voicemail message - what does it say about you? Very often this will be the first time they get to gauge your character. Your message should sound like you and you should avoid sounding too casual or especially using any slang. Equally, always use a professional email address. While Arsenalfan@...com or supergirlraver@...co.uk may be fine for friends, it may give employers a negative perception of your level of professionalism and commitment to your graduate job search.

Is your graudate application genuine?

In this crowded marketplace recruiters are trying their absolute hardest to pick out applicants who show any signs of not being 100% passionate about the industry they want to work in. It's not just about wanting the job - employers need convincing of your genuine interest in order for them to feel that you were unquestionably dedicated before you even heard about the vacancy. This can come in the form of evidence of your involvement related to the industry like magazine subscriptions, recent news, societies, attending talks or independent projects.

Painting a picture of yourself at interview

A very common question or request at interview has always been to talk about yourself a little. This open question doesn't require you to give a chronological description of your life to date but more an opportunity to talk about your recent and current interests that define you as an individual. Touch on various subjects that warrant more detail to open up the conversation when asked. It's your opportunity to paint a picture of what you're about so make it a colourful one! Also try to involve the interviewer by asking their opinion as you may share common ground.

How do you deal with criticism?

Everyone is a critic, but not everyone can deal with criticism in a constructive way. If you're to remain composed, and ultimately successful, then you must learn to treat it like feedback. If you can turn what could be perceived as negative comments into a guideline to your personal refinement, then even rejection can be a lesson worth experiencing.

The Personal Touch to a Good Graduate Covering Letter

Avoid a generic covering letter. A recruiter will be able to see right through a covering letter that is not personalised and is likely to ignore the rest of your application. In fact, rather than saving you time, a poorly researched 'To whom it may concern' letter will waste valuable job hunting hours.

A New Year and a Fresh Outlook

In our experience the start of the year is normally a great time for graduate job hunting. The time off gives graduate recruiters a moment to think about things on a larger scale and will often result a slight rise in job opportunities. If you're starting to look for work make sure you're on the pulse and ready to pounce while everyone else is slowly getting back up to speed. Have several targeted CVs and a versatile covering letter that can be customised ready at hand so you're the first in line. Good luck for 2010!