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...

Your Marketing Tool

Your CV is the most powerful marketing tool you possess. It's the one thing that will break down the first walls and shine a light on your potential - is yours working for you? Just like marketing a company, it's important to focus on your highlights and bring them to the forefront of your pitch. Ask a friend to take 15 seconds to 'scan-read' your CV and relay back the highlights to you - it's the best way to test if the most essential information is in the spotlight. Every detail should still be covered although it's ok to talk less or not at all about unessential areas. Bullet points always help with delivery as does bolding titles to make them stand out, but don't go overboard with either!

Taking on Tough Graduate Interviews

To be offered an interview for a graduate job is a great achievement so there is no space for half efforts when you meet face to face. One excellent technique to ensure you're prepared is to work out the questions that you would least like to be asked and prepare water-tight answers. Thoroughly research and practise a plausible reply that can be delivered in a cool, composed manner if the situation presents itself. This could be anything from gaps between work, what you think your weaknesses are or a low grade in a certain area. Don't be defensive, highlight the good points and how you have, or will, adapt to move the conversation back into a positive light.