Don't Be So Modest In Your Graduate Job Search

What wouldn’t you change about your life? It’s definitely a question which provokes a lot of thought and even more analysis over what would be an acceptable answer. However, if we were to ask what you would change about your life we bet you could think of a number of different things instantly and wouldn’t hesitate to tell us them all. Why is this?

Our upbringing is a big part of the reasoning behind this. We were brought up to be modest and not boast about our achievements. As much as these are brilliant traits to have, it’s time to stop eating so much humble pie whilst searching and interviewing for graduate jobs.

Think about everything you have been involved in and embrace it, there is a difference between being outrageously self centred and merely stating the positive impact you have had upon previous employers and the community. Everyone has done something worth discussing so use your experiences to set yourself apart and be proud of what you have achieved, graduate recruiters won't be impressed by someone who cannot recognise the value they can and have contributed both within and outside of employment.

Is Time Passing You By Looking For Graduate Jobs?

So much to do that there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day? At GRB we definitely understand the importance of effective time management, both while looking for a graduate job and once you’ve landed your first graduate role.

The first step to managing your time is prioritising the long list of activities you want to try and squeeze into your week and make sure doing something for yourself is at the top of that list. You aren’t going to come across well in interviews for graduate jobs if you are stressed and unhappy.
Next you need to have a critical look at the list, which is probably way too long to be realistic. Ask yourself honestly what you can genuinely handle and sacrifice a few of the tasks which you have put a low priority against.
Now make promises to yourself, and keep them. You’ve set yourself your list so see it through and you’ll achieve everything you wanted to, there’s nothing better than a sense of accomplishment at the end of the week!

Don’t Let A Great Graduate Job Interview Go To Waste

‘Do you have any questions for us?’ the predictable question at the end of any graduate job interview, yet a stumbling block for most graduates and experienced interviewees alike. Whether you ask questions at this point or not has a huge influence on the overall impression you make on graduate recruiters.

As part of your interview preparation you should sit down and think of questions that you could ask at this point, they can be anything, as long as they are relevant of course. Some good examples are progression, company culture, responsibility, good role models etc. Take a pen and paper into the interview too for making notes and if you happen to think of a question during the process jot it down to ask at the end.

Another good time to ask questions is when following up on the interview with a thank you letter or email. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions in these that you think of after the interview, in fact it’s better if you do and makes it more likely for the recruiter to take the time to reply to you. Ask constructive questions and you will instantly seem more interested and switched on.

Don’t Disappear After Your Graduate Job Interview

We are firm believers of not pestering potential graduate recruiters, but there is a simple method you can use to follow up after a graduate job interview, which should be used within a day of your interview.

A simple thank you email can be great for getting yourself noticed and ensuring you are remembered but don’t forget to keep it personalised and short. Use a maximum of three paragraphs, each under 4 sentences. One to thank them and reiterate interest, another to briefly state strengths that ensure your ability to excel in the role and a third to communicate anything missed in the graduate interview.
End by saying you look forward to hearing from them within a certain time scale and proof read to make sure names and punctuality are perfect and you are nothing but positive throughout.

Sending a letter through the post can be a great touch instead of an email and has more chance of being read. Take time over your handwriting and invest in some nice paper for an all out gesture showing prospective employers you value their opinion and have great attention to detail.

Never Lie On Your Graduate CV

When applying to those all important graduate jobs you want to give yourself the best possible chance of getting an interview. When we look at graduate CV examples, we are looking for honesty, embellishing the truth only makes things a lot trickier when it comes to interviews.

It doesn’t look good if your response is inconsistent when graduate recruiters ask you about something stated on your CV and this will definitely not lead to a job offer. Never mind the negative effect on your job hunt; it is an offence to lie on a CV. It’s not worth it, use the real stuff and you’ll go far.

Sit down and think carefully about everything you have got involved with and all the different experiences you have had that you can use as references in your CV and later on in an interview, there will be plenty of topics for you to discuss without having to lie.

Is Your Graduate Job Application Holding You Back?

We know what it’s like, so many amazing graduate jobs and applications being fired in all directions. But are you getting complacent? You may be applying to loads of graduate vacancies but don’t forget that many other graduates are doing the same.

Keep a list of who you have applied to and what job was with whom; have a folder of the graduate job specifications too. Having this knowledge to hand when the phone goes will save you having to ask what the job was, help you be prepared and make you seem super keen on that role.

Quality over quantity really does ring true; spend as much time on an application form as needed to make it perfect. Tailor each cover letter and CV ensuring no hints of different applications remain. Stating a different company name, the wrong job title/reference or irrelevant skills will negatively affect your chances of an interview. Also, read a job specification thoroughly for the name of the person you are applying to, use it and make sure you spell it right, getting this wrong doesn’t set a good impression of your attention to detail.

Take Action After Applying To Graduate Vacancies

A lot of effort goes into applying to graduate jobs, so why just leave it when you have hit the send button?

Always ensure that your online identity gives the impression you want, embarrassing Facebook tags from last weekend’s antics are a big no, set it to private and have a respectable profile photo. A great thing to set up is a LinkedIn profile, where you can list all your experiences and skills and network effectively.

Consider targeting company competitors. If one company has graduate vacancies its competitors could do too and when asked who you have been applying to its beneficial to be able to list companies within the same industry, showing focus, and also getting some healthy company competition going.

Endeavour to follow up with a real person, through whatever medium. It’s great to use digital networking to find contacts you may not have been given through an online application and have your graduate CV seen by people who may not otherwise know of your application. Remember though, don’t be pushy and always go through the normal channels first, explaining to your new contact that you wished to have the chance to contact them directly too!

Don’t relinquish all control to the companies, YOU have the power to make progress happen, make yourself visible.

Unusual Pre - Graduate Job Interview Techniques

The run up to interviews for graduate jobs is crucial, preparation is the key! Writing a list can work wonders. Graduate recruiters will grill you about your qualities, skills and achievements. Sit down before hand and think about everything you can draw references from so that your answers are thorough and impressive.

Rehearse, whether in front of a mirror, with friends or family or with your universities career service, mock interviews are a great way to ensure you are prepared.

Keep a close tab on your social networking sites. Have you ever Googled yourself? Ensure your privacy settings are secure and private and your posts and photos won’t ruin the graduate recruiters impression of you.

Taking a folder with you is a great way to portray organisation and keep you occupied while they keep you waiting. Sometimes they want to see what you do while waiting, no harm being organised and spending some more time going over your notes. Also, make sure you actually take notes in the interview; it’s not just for show you need to remember the information given.

Finally, remain calm. A good trick for this is to put a dab of water on your wrists and behind your ears where the major arteries lie, cooling you down and helping you give off a professional and confident vibe.

Kick Start Your Search For Graduate Vacancies

We know that searching for graduate jobs can leave a lasting mark on your confidence and motivation but there are a few key tips to help avoid this slump and help you in your search for the right role.

Remember that finding graduate careers is like going to work, treat it professionally within a set time scale and leave it all behind at the end of the day to ensure a healthy work/life balance. Maintaining friendship and family contact is crucial to remaining stress free and happy, qualities every graduate recruiter wants. They’re also a great support system so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Always set down clear goals and a plan. Think carefully about what you can bring to graduate programmes and what type of role you want so that your job search is focussed and purposeful. Make a plan of what you’re going to do and when and use your time wisely.

Stay healthy, eat well and stay active. Get the endorphins going and you’ll feel happier and be more productive.

Most importantly don’t let the hunt get you down, try to move forward everyday and remember practice makes perfect!

How To Answer THAT Interview Question For A Graduate Job

When applying for graduate jobs it’s the question that fills most interviewees with dread, the ‘what is your greatest weakness’ hurdle. Do you answer it light heartedly with a witty remark or do you remain brutally honest and sincere, what is the answer they are looking for?

Don’t worry, there are a few rules you can follow that will help your response impress the interviewer. Always be positive, graduate recruiters love a positive attitude. Sentences such as ‘I rarely think of myself in those terms but I do want to respond to your question’ are winners as they avoid the repetition of negative terms.

Avoid the use of superlatives. Terms like ‘worst/biggest weakness’ and ‘need to most improve’ suggest a number of weaknesses. A better response could be ‘If I had to come up with one...’ which avoids negatives and multiples. Replace absolutes such as ‘my weakness is...’ with alternatives such as ‘It could be...’ to avoid sounding like any weakness you may have is unchangeable.

Finally, be honest and humanise it. You could even ask friends or colleagues for their opinion. Make it singular, personal, non-absolute and real and you’re bound to impress, putting yourself in a strong position for those graduate jobs.

Phone Etiquette With Graduate Recruiters

Have you thought about the next stage of your application for graduate careers, when those all important phone calls start coming through? It is crucial that you are prepared and have planned ahead in a number of different ways.

If you have been applying to jobs it is likely you will receive calls from numbers you don’t recognise, don’t screen them, you won’t want to be missing that all important interview request.

Do you have a voicemail? If not, get one! How else can potential graduate recruiters let you know they have tried to contact you, they will be calling a number of people and may not try twice.

Also ensure that your voicemail is professional not a silly message recorded years ago as a joke, you won’t want an offensive or distasteful message to be the first impression they have of you.

Always answer in a friendly, approachable, upbeat manner - even if the number isn’t recognised, or you’re still in bed, so that you portray confidence and your personality shines through. A great tip is to ask how they are before they ask you if at all possible.

Avoid one word answers, make their job easy and you’ll get off to a great start for getting that graduate job.

Careers Fairs and Putting Yourself Out There!

You don't always have to put pressure on yourself to find a graduate job. Sometimes the right start could be as easy as just putting yourself out there by networking at any of the upcoming autumn careers fairs in the next few weeks. The GRB will be visiting The London Graduate fair from The Careers Group and Target Jobs next week on the 18th October. Don’t miss it, it’s a fantastic free event with 100’s of employers and workshops - take a look here. Another good step could be to get in touch with your department society, course rep or alumni. It’s never too late to get involved and learn more about your options. Perhaps you know of a friend or a peer that has already succeeded in securing a job? First list out everything you are doing and then take a look at their approach - is there something new you can add to your job searching technique? Remember, there is always something new to try, a new approach or a new area to research - your options are never exhausted.

Using All Your Resources

Work experience for graduate jobs isn’t always easy to find, but that also depends on how well you look for it. Are you using all the resources around you or just expecting a periodical browse on the internet to produce the right leads? To increase your chances you must think more entrepreneurial. Who do you know that is successful? How are they doing it? Do any chains of connecting friends or colleagues lead to the right people? Perhaps a friend is taking holiday from their work – offer to fill in. Maybe you hear in industry news that a company has just expanded or taken on a new client – send them congratulations and offer yourself as a work placement to help with the expansion. Perhaps joining your university Alumni or LinkedIn will connect you with the right people. It’s time to brainstorm - sometimes job searching is not always obvious.

Don’t Spam Graduate Employers

Do you read Spam? Probably occasionally by accident and you can be almost 100% certain it will go in the trash as you’re not interested in something so irrelevant to you. It’s a busy desk working as an employer, getting applications sent left right and centre – how can you be sure your applications are not being treated like Spam in this hectic environment? Well if you are firing 20 applications a day all saying the same thing in your Cover Letter and CV then psychologically isn’t that likely to get treated the same way? Customisation, detail, relevance and personalisation – these are the most important characteristics of a good application. Experienced Recruitment Consultants or HR staff can spot a generic application from a mile away and if you give the impression that you don’t have time for them, they won’t have time for you.

Work Experience Ammunition

One key interview survival skill is the ability to call on detailed examples of experience at any given moment.  You can’t put a price on good preparation but it can be made even easier if your experience is already well documented in your head – how? By documenting it well at the time.  If you are currently in, or have recently finished, a work placement or position of responsibility then make sure you create a journal of your day to day activities like what you learnt, your progress, your mistakes and what you would have done differently if you had the chance again. You will soon find that practical examples to use in interview questions can be created out of many scenarios you may have faced at work. Writing things down will imprint them in your memory and having them to call on will make “umm’s” and “err’s” in an answer a thing of the past!

Cover Letters That Deliver

Cover letters are an increasingly important way of painting a well-tuned picture of yourself and why you are perfect for a role. Think of it as a movie trailer to your profile; you need the key points to stand out and be memorable, it needs to read in a clear, concise order and leave them wanting more. Looking at the two ends of the spectrum, never write a whole page detailing your life in text-heavy paragraphs and never write two sentences just saying that you think you are good for the job and your CV is attached - that’s not a covering letter!  You need to be looking at 200-300 words that get straight to the requirements listed in the job description. Be friendly, but no casual language or excess exclamation marks. Always use professional openings that address a name if one is present and signatures that include your contact details.

Your Online Presence

Without realising it, hunting for graduate jobs instantly attracts attention to your profile in the public domain. This can cause problems with creating the right impression to employers. Like it or not, if you are potentially good for a role, many employers will be interested to know more about you that very second by typing your name into Google. In its innocence they will be looking for a LinkedIn profile, maybe evidence of CV claims like articles you’ve written, websites you’ve made or involvement in societies. But what else will they find? Hopefully not a wild drunken Facebook photo, rude or controversial status updates or any kind of material that could be offensive linked to your name! Be careful, as although this doesn’t mean you don’t have to be you, you should consider public privacy settings on Facebook, using web aliases and thinking twice about what people may think in a first impression.

Staying Confident and Positive When Gradaute Job Hunting

Looking for graduate jobs is like a full-time job in itself. It’s very time consuming mentally and physically but the worst thing you can do in a job hunting situation is lose face and motivation. Make sure you understand and tell yourself that finding a job doesn’t happen overnight, nor weeks, but most likely takes months of application after application, using the feedback and building your confidence as you better yourself in each interview. If a telephone or face to face interview doesn’t go well then draw the positives from it. Learn where you went wrong and remember that if you’ve been approached once, it’s going to happen again! In a competitive market employers are picky, but the minute you begin to put less than 100% in you will decrease your chances even more. Sort through those past applications, look at the ones that got some interest and build on those qualities to refine your skills as a job seeker.

Hobbies and Interests on Your CV

Remember, if you choose to include a section on hobbies and interests on your CV for gradute jobs, it can be a massive employer turn-off to use generic content such as ‘I like music’ or ‘I like reading and going to the cinema’. Points like those bring nothing to your CV and instead can actually paint quite an unimaginative picture of yourself. What this section is really about is a chance to show off any interests that extend from work into your own life which truly shows that your passion and progression as a professional doesn’t stop at 5:30pm every day! For example, say you want to work in Marketing so in your spare time you run a society’s social media or build/design websites. Perhaps you are trying to get into Finance so in the evenings you dabble with a fantasy Forex account or you want to work as a journalist so you write for a blog. The possibilities are endless in the way you can express your genuine interest in a subject so always try and benchmark your hobbies and interests on valuable points that the employer will take note of.

The Cover Letters That Get Read

Your covering letter is your chance to deliver in a brief but essentially detailed manner, why you are perfect for the role. Customisation is key, never use generic text and aim to hit a minimum of 200 and a maximum of 400 words. Always open with a Dear ‘Recruiters Name’; only if you have no way of knowing their name it is then ok to use Dear Sir/Madam. The first part is your opening which must refer to the job title, portray your enthusiasm, and provide solid examples as to why you are sending your application. Next, it’s time for the main body of your letter, which should include points that refer to the evidence on your CV that proves your suitability - bullet points can really help the recruiter pick up on the important elements. Following this, demonstrate something you know about the company or specific job requirements that inspired you to apply, as compliments never go amiss here too! This shows you’ve put time into researching them and that you possess a genuine interest in not just the role but the company too. The final part is the close – this should be done by summarising what you have covered, making it clear that you are available to provide any further information and that you’re looking forward to hearing back. End with a Best regards, your full name, contact details (mobile, email and LinkedIn profile link) and confirmation of the documents attached with the application e.g. your CV title.

Updating Your University E-mail Address

The end of University life means a significant change for many. Facing University’s aftermath of career, housing and financial planning may prove somewhat stressful so stay organised. One box to tick is to remember that your University’s facilities may no longer be accessible so make sure you set up/start using a personal e-mail account to substitute any subscriptions to websites - including GRB! All websites need to be notified of an updated address so you can continue to recover passwords, receive notifications and remain contactable for important things such as graduate jobs, financial services, housing or even social media! Remember you may never hear about your dream job if recruiters are unable to contact you so don’t let it cost you.

Tackling Gaps On Your CV

CVs must be watertight and there is no space for inconsistence. If after a quick scan the recruiter thinks you have potential for a role, often the next step will be to chronologically study your past work and education. Gaps in your CV in these areas are one of the first things they will home in on - make sure you either explain what happened in the gaps within your CV or have ready formed answers when you are asked at telephone or first interview. There are many legitimate reasons for these potential gaps such as family matters, illness or most commonly job searching - employers are very understanding of this situation after the past job climate so be honest and sincere. Lastly make sure you present any issues in a positive light by finishing your explanation on a high such as how you resolved it or how you plan to resolve it.

Non-Verbal Communication at Graduate Interviews

When speaking face to face it’s said that over 90% of communication is non-verbal so before an interview, ensure you develop an awareness for what your body language subliminally says about you. Your body language should convey composure and confidence without being brash.  Ensure you make good eye contact and your handshakes are firm and clear and avoid excessive giggling, fiddling and jittering.  If you feel your body language is not yet up to scratch, you can improve this by focusing on your outlook, identifying and embracing your strengths and feeling confident that you are knowledgeable in your interviewer’s values and ethics.  Overall, your body language should mimic an eager, confident and determined ‘can-do’ attitude without appearing arrogant. Lastly, your interview attire and physical appearance must be professional, smart and current, avoiding anything overpowering or too glitzy!

Flexibility In Your Jobsearch

Being flexible in your graduate job search can massively increase your chances of finding graduate work - don't be dismissive of sectors before you really understand what they can offer from first-hand research. While you may have studied something very specific it's important to understand where other opportunities might lead to in the future. Perhaps you want to work in marketing, so break down the aspects of the role such as research, copy-writing or media planning and look for different jobs in those fields in order to gain insight and experience. Maybe you want to work as a Journalist but are having no success so why not consider looking at other office based roles within publishing so you can begin to work and learn within the industry. The path your career follows may have many twists and turns before ending in the place you want to be. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

Important Calls and Phone Interviews

If you have recently applied for a job, be aware that a call from an unrecognised number could be a preliminary screening - don’t ignore it or in particularly answer in a blunt or casual tone as it could determine the success of your application. A phone-based graduate interview is considered as important as a face to face interview.  Therefore, preparation is key. Ensure that you are not in a noisy environment such as a pub and have your CV handy to answer unexpected questions.  If you are out and it is not convenient, politely ask whether it would be possible to be contacted at an alternative time.  In the event that you do miss the call, ensure you have a professional voicemail set up for the employer to leave a message.  When speaking to an employer on the phone, have a polite phone manner, speak slowly and enunciate clearly always aiming to convey the same level of dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism as you would if you were meeting in person.

The Twenty Second CV Scan

Ensure that your CV is getting the right information across in that all important employer 'twenty second screening scan' by pre-testing this yourself.  Before sending your CV out for graduate jobs, give it to five individuals to scan for no more than twenty seconds. Avoid friends or close acquaintances as they may already be aware of your background. Immediately after, ask them what they can remember from your CV from the top of their head instinctively.  Note their observations and review them closely considering the job you are using the CV for. If the memorable aspects of your CV match the requirements for the role then you know your CV is correct. If not, you can now tailor and re-adjust it accordingly, using the twenty second scan as you go along to make improvements.

Making a Positive First Impression at Graduate Events and Interviews

With the London Graduate Fair fast approaching, it is key to consider how to make a positive and lasting first impression when meeting employers. Looking smart and professional is just the start, be aware of your body language and how this is portraying you. Smile and make eye contact often as it shows genuine interest and engagement. From our employer feedback biggest turn offs include people just taking freebies and walking off with no interest in the company, students asking questions while still wearing headphones and lack of investigation into what the stand is actually offering – do not assume that they are not suited to your needs without finding out what they actually do! Graduate career fairs are an excellent chance to practice meeting employers so when you get to interview you can shine with confidence.

Research The Competition for Graduate Interviews

Researching a company before an application for a graduate job or especially a graduate interview allows you to craft specific examples of how you can help them achieve their goals.  It's important to be informed on the company’s history, ethos and strategies and very importantly its competitors.  Being familiar with the competition, demonstrates that you’ve engaged with their way of thinking, developed awareness for the industry and met them on the same level. Be aware that they talk about it day in and day out so take the chance to prove your shared interest. Learning about competitors will also accentuate your knowledge of the company’s USP’s as you will learn about what distinguishes them from others in the industry. When interviewing applicants, recruiters want the best fit for the company’s values and brand. By informing yourself beforehand and conveying this in your interview you will have gained the edge over other applicants and will no doubt shine!

Organising Your Job Hunt Using The GRB Dashboard

Due to the difficult current employment market, candidates are having to work extra hard at their graduate job search. The GRB Dashboard is a personal feature full of widgets and tools designed to simplify your job-hunting process.  It shows personalised job vacancies matched to your skills and preferences, allows you to save and access your documents, and keeps you updated on social networks and news. Ensure that your profile is kept up to date so that job alerts can be best matched to your skills and requirements.  Also, have a play around and remember it is customisable! There are a range of widgets available from to-do lists to latest news updates which you can add and remove as you wish. Make the most of these features to create your own personalised job hunting assistant. Looking for a job should never be stressful again!

Making the Right Choice for your Graduate Career

It’s the choices you’ve made, and will make, that ultimately define the shape of your graduate career among other things. At some point everyone has made a wrong decision, big or small, but the most successful people know that those experiences can be the most valuable of all. If you feel that right now making a decision on the path of your career is so paramount that it could make or break you then just stop - really it isn’t! Don’t worry so much about making the right choice and instead focus on finding something that simply seems appealing and plays on your skills. As you progress you can use this time to conduct valuable research on yourself and what you find interesting and inspiring from first-hand experience and move your career confidently in the right direction.

Tailoring your Graduate Application Form

Employers expect applications for graduate jobs to reflect commitment and meticulous attention.  It is crucial that enough time and care is dedicated to filling them out and proofreading them for any spelling and grammatical errors. Every application should bear in mind the position applied for, and should not have any ‘generic’ connotations.  These reflect a lack of dedication and research into your potential employer. A rushed application form is instantly obvious and will fast track you to the unsuccessful pile! Make sure you invest your undivided attention in reading and interpreting each question. From the research you have done on the company, ensure that your response is fitting to satisfy their values and beliefs. All applications need to be tailored, even those for similar roles, as different employers seek different attributes in their candidates.  A well-tailored, grammatically sound application which observes the company’s ethos is therefore sure to impress!

Graduate Interview Advice from Whitney Port's New Book 'True Whit'

Interviews can be an extremely tough and daunting experience so speaking to someone with first-hand experience can be really beneficial. In Whitney Port’s new book ‘True Whit’ she gives some great advice based on her experiences. First impressions are crucial, “When you walk in and see that interviewer for the first time, you project confidence, charisma, and a coolness that only someone sincerely wonderful could possess. This is not faking it; this is making it happen!”. “Expect the unexpected, sometimes an interviewer might even say something you don't agree with. When this happens to me, I try to be rational and level headed.” When answering questions, think of what you’re about to say and project this clearly. Do not be afraid to express your viewpoints and opinions, even if these challenge those of the interviewer; “Sometimes people respect when their authority is questioned and you prove you have a strong viewpoint.”  Lastly, always ask questions! “The best way to convey you're eager to join the team (without getting up on the desk and doing a cheer) is to ask relevant and intelligent questions, stick to the topics you know the interviewer would like to hear about: "What is the company's goal for the upcoming year?" "What would my role be and what would a typical day be like for me?" As you leave, give the interviewer a firm handshake and thank him/her for meeting with you.” Et voila! Follow these handy tips and you’re bound to succeed! CHECK OUT MORE ADVICE FROM WHITNEY PORT'S 'TRUE WHIT' HERE

Making An Instant Impression with your Graduate CV

It’s essential that your CV for graduate jobs makes an instant impact in less than a minute so how can you be sure you’re achieving this? In order of priority are: Accuracy of information: all employment history details such as names, locations and dates should be accurate and honest! Spelling and grammar: ensure all your content is proof read and exempt of spelling and grammatical errors. Detailed work history: aim to include a comprehensive yet concise work history, ensuring any gaps are justified.  Layout: be economical with your content - making your CV longer than two pages could be detrimental.  Ensure that all content is clearly labelled and is easy to navigate. Using bullet points to list duties, responsibilities and achievements improves legibility and navigation. A confusing CV will very rarely withstand a potential employer’s patience!

Using Twitter for Graduate Jobs

If you didn't know, social media is playing a bigger part in the world of graduate recruitment than ever and aside from the more professional LinkedIn, Twitter is actually a fantastic tool to use in your search for graduate jobs. Don't see Twitter as just a social tool, as by crafting out clever searches you can uncover networking opportunities that could really open doors for you and impress key people. Try it - simply go to Twitter.com and type in a search for a job title or area of interest and look through the results to find people either advertising or talking about it. Connect or ‘follow’ these people to send them a message and find out more or even just click the link normally in the tweet. This approach is just the tip of the iceberg, the rest is down to your networking skills so get out there!

How Customised is Your CV?

Every graduate job you apply to should have its very own customised CV that pin-points the job requirements for that role. When swept up in a wave of sending multiple frantic applications, so many candidates fall short on this and it really shows. Make sure you’re delivering quality, not quantity. One good technique is to read over the job specification several times, create a list of five or so key qualities they look for and then go about re-arranging the content of your CV to cover/highlight them. Talk more in-depth on the important areas and less on the irrelevant ones to save space, making new sections or even bolding some key words if needed. Use the same terminology as the job specification and do some internet research to brush up on any areas you don’t understand – the last thing you want is to get caught out talking the talk but not walking the walk! As time passes you will soon have a customised CV for most job requirements that only needs minor tweaking, saving you a lot of time. Make sure you re-name them so you don’t get confused and definitely re-name again to a generic name before you send.

You’ve Been Googled – What Employers Don’t Want To See On Your Online Profile.

Conducting an online search, more commonly known as ‘Googling’ a potential employee, has now become a common practice among interviewers - like it or not. Making sure that your online profile reflects a genuine, honest and positive portrayal of yourself is very important so before attending an interview you should check your online profile and moderate anything which could act as a repellent. Google your name and see what comes up. An impressive online profile should show attributes such as positive hobbies, strong business networks and community involvement. Look over any photos that can be publically accessed (like profile pictures) bearing in mind that these will paint a picture of your character. No employer will be too impressed to find their candidate tagged in photos showing disorderly behaviour. Photos of wild nights out, revealing clothing, engagement in unsociable activity or immature/controversial comments could put you on the spot or even cost you the interview for your dream graduate job.

What Not To Put On A CV

When applying for graduate jobs, your CV should be a positive reflection on the time, effort and dedication invested into acquiring the relevant skills for the job. Including certain things in your CV can overshadow these valuable and hard-earned skills and create an instant unsuitable profile. Relevance is a key element here, therefore any experience or personal attributes that would be deemed irrelevant for the job should be carefully considered and extremely brief or ideally, excluded. This also applies when listing qualifications. Be economical with the space you have; give priority to the highest level (a-levels and above), and if listing GCSE’s or equivalents, abstain from listing each subject and grade individually. Avoid listing generic hobbies such as reading/going to the cinema as these are over used and fail to show originality. Try to use hobbies relevant to the job and/or convey dedication and integrity. Another detail to consider is your address. If you are applying to a role that’s far away, even with the intent to re-locate, it’s sometimes best to keep your current location anonymous until you have had a chance to impress. A CV showing an address at a considerable distance from the workplace could disconcert an employer.

And lastly no silly email addresses!

Graduate Interviews - The Big Question

It is standard interview practice for an interviewer to end with ‘have you got any questions’, which to some people, seems to activate inevitable ‘freeze’ mode!  Even if you feel that you have covered the job spec in full and discussed any concerns, it is crucial that you ask a few questions when prompted to do so. This shows interest, enthusiasm and preparation, all being highly desirable qualities in a potential employee.  Failure to ask any questions at the end of an interview instantly conveys a lack of interest and willingness to engage and learn about your potential employer, substantially diminishing your chances of getting the job.  Not asking any questions will inevitably overshadow any part of the interview in which you excelled and exceeded your interviewer’s expectations.  It is also vital to remember that asking questions at an interview is your chance to initiate and set the topic of conversation.  Use this to your advantage, and use it as another chance to promote your skills.

The Importance Of A Good Voicemail For Graduate Jobs

If you're applying for graduate jobs make sure you have your mobile phone voicemail set up, as you wouldn’t believe the number of people that don’t. Further from that, a personalised message is very important if you want to make a good professional first impression - no jokes or gimmicks, as they really don’t go down well! As employers and recruitment consultants have to call so many applicants a good voicemail answer message, confirming they have got the right number, will make them more inclined to leave a message and not just move onto the next candidate. Everyone always talks about making a good first impression so are you failing on the first level? Update it now!

Your Graduate Job Hunting Stategy

Are you totally happy with your current approach to finding a graduate job? If so, and you're getting the results then fantastic, but if you’re getting nowhere have you actually taken a step back to see what needs changing? We know this sounds obvious but in the blinding light of bookmarking/registering with countless websites and firing CVs in all directions, are you reserving time to analyse your strategy? It's just as important as the applying itself and will really help next time you sit down to job search and think "where do I start?!" A spreadsheet for this is essential - study how many jobs you see potential in every week, how many do you apply to, do you always customise your CV and covering letter from head to toe? If so does this make a difference? Who gave you feedback and who didn't? This is just the start of the detail you could go into to ensure you’re doing the job of finding a job properly. If you're doing none of these then you can bet someone else is, and beating you to the post in the process.

Preparation Tips for a Graduate Interview

At the root of every well executed plan is good preparation, and this is especially the case for assessment centres, interviews or any kind of important meetings for graduate jobs. Using forums and information websites is a great way to get an insight into what your interview or assessment day may be like and to anticipate possible questions that the company may ask. Be ready for an unfamiliar commute by running through the journey on Google Street View the night before. Improving on that, give yourself at least 30-45 minutes breathing time to get to the entrance and be sure it’s the right place, and then find somewhere close by like a cafe to have a moment to compose yourself and run through your notes. To make a good first impression make sure you know who will be interviewing you and greet them by name with a confident handshake. Knowing their job title and role in the company is also a great way to build a picture in your head of the right things to say to them so get this information from your consultant or LinkedIn.

Productive Procrastination

When you have exhausted all plausible forms of procrastination, ie, the washing up is done, the laundry is folded and arranged by 'genre', you have batch cooked enough food to feed a small town and have repeatedly 'refreshed' your Facebook page, it is time to stop and focus on what you should really be doing!  If you're looking for that dream job, writing your CV and ensuring it stands out from the crowd can be extremely time-consuming and requires a great deal of care and attention. Avoidance tactics may seem to be your body's natural defense mechanism against CV writing but prove only to disrupt and confuse this vital part of job-hunting. Always remember that initially your CV is the only means via which a prospective employer will form an opinion of you.  It should therefore reflect you in an honest yet favourable manner.  Procrastinating disperses your attention and makes you lose the momentum essential for a well-written CV.  So, next time you feel the nagging 'urge' to re-arrange your desk, de-fragment your PC or any other non-urgent task, only to avoid writing your CV, consider what you could be risking!

Delivering Yourself Well Over the Phone

A telephone interview is your first chance to bring your CV profile to life after being just another CV in the shortlist so make sure you deliver yourself in a confident and polite manner. If you get a call out of the blue and don't recognise the number don't answer in a dreary relaxed attitude no matter what mood you are in - it could be an employer and first impressions are SO important. Making sure that the conversation keeps flowing is key and avoiding 'erms' and 'umms' will keep you sounding sharp but if you need a moment to think over a question just say so instead of filling the gaps with rambling. Always remember to ask questions back given your turn. Interviewing for graduate jobs is a two way process but don't get carried away by just asking about entitlements like holiday, benefits, bonuses and salary as it will only make them feel you're interested for the wrong reasons. Everyone goes to work to earn money, that's already clear, but employers want to connect with people that share the right interests, ideologies and passions not people with a one track mind hell-bent on their own gain!

Working Together

Do your friends know what kind of graduate jobs you are looking for? In a tight market it’s important that your reach remains further than your own computer. Work together with your friend group and make sure that you all know what each other is looking for so you can help each other out. Sharing jobs via email or social networking links is a really good way to reveal new opportunities as everyone uses the internet differently. You can instigate it by forwarding a few jobs to your friends so next time they will think to do it back. Discussing application and CV ideas can be really enlightening as well. Learning from each other’s mistakes or successes can excel your skill at job hunting far quicker than on your own. If you are using a good service and you know your friend doesn’t know about it then recommend it! We offer £100 to you if we find your friend a job...