Tip of the Week Notices

Note: Apologies for the absence of tips in the last couple of months as we have had a change over in writers. Not to fear, we have some exciting new tips to bring to you in the new year!

Show You're a Digital Native

Grad Guide Blog founder, Chris Hall gives this weeks tip:

Being "digital natives", we should really take advantage of growing up with new technologies and understanding them. At the top of your CV add your Twitter username, Blog page address and Linked In profile - this shows employers your online presence. It also shows them your savvy enough to be up to date with technology, and gives them further information about you that a CV may not. Employers are going to Google you, so take one step forward and give them the information so they can find out more about you.

For more tips, and the latest graduate advice and discussion, visit the gradguideblog.com

Thinking Outside of the Box

There are a plethora of opportunities out there in the big wide world but finding the right one is key to lifting off into a successful career post-university. Applying to every single vacancy that fit your description on the basic level is not really ideal, both for yourself (it’s very exhausting to churn out hundreds of quality applications a day) and for the companies you’re applying to (the company that you’ve applied to both the buying and the finance scheme to will be a bit confused as to your motives and ambitions). Below are a few suggestions of how you can think outside the box, but at the same time be a little more specific as to what you’re applying to.

Firstly, use the alumni service at your university, there may be useful contacts that you can perhaps contact by email or arrange a coffee on campus with to discuss what they have done with their careers. Try finding members of the alumni who have studied the same degree as you, been part of the same societies or have had the same work experience with you, something key in common.

Secondly, discussion boards on social media sites are grossly underused, for example, twitter have a discussion group called ‘Hire Friday’ under #HFChat, which is of great use if you want to hear suggestions and hear other peoples stories, a key destination for job seekers.

Thirdly, if you’ve been applying to some opportunities based on your work experience and others based on your degree, combining the two elements of your application could stand you in good stead for something you haven’t necessarily thought of before.
For more alternative ways to conduct an alternative job search, follow the link: www.grb.uk.com/hidden-job-market

How To Deal With Deadlines

Deadlines can range in importance as we all go through life, from exam deadlines, to deadlines for essays and applications at university, or presentation deadlines in landing a big client when you’re in the workforce. Here are 3 simple tips that should help to change your approach to meeting a deadline from day one.

Firstly, get organised. As obvious as it sounds, organisation is key, get a diary or write notes on a calendar. Whether it’s going to be one big deadline or a few medium sized ones, it’s important to know when they are and how long you have to spread the work load and reach the date.

Secondly, use the wise words Aesop in the fable of the tortoise and the hare, slow and steady does win the race. It’s a lot healthier to spread the workload over the week, two week or month long period you have been given to complete the task, this way the task won’t feel as intimidating. Essay deadline? You may find yourself reading and learning more about the subject you’re writing about, giving you time to get more interested in it. Application? You’ll be giving yourself more time to think about the answers and paint a truer picture of who you are within the confines of the typical application format. Presentation? Practice does indeed make perfect.

Finally, if you find it difficult to meet deadlines, treat yourself for reaching certain points. Set a goal, achieve the goal, get you’re treat; and it’s as simple as that.

Standing Out in Group Interviews

An Job related websites have reported recently of Giles Metcalfe, the Leeds Graduate who stood around in the City of London for 9 hours handing out CV’s and talking to professionals passing by sporting a placard saying ‘ Leeds graduate looking for an opportunity in the financial services’. From this he got entered into a few interview rounds and had a few offers on the table. This is a unique example, but if you’ve got through to an assessment centre and you are being asked to stand out next to ‘the guy with the placard’, how do you stand out?

Firstly, make sure you get to the interview, punctual and well presented. Interrupting a group interview that has already started is a lot worse than having a couple of head hunters wait an extra 5 minutes for you to arrive for a one-on-one face-to-face.

Secondly, as obvious as it sounds by now, do your research around the company. Practice selling the company to friends and family, then look for the qualities that you have that make you a right fit for the company, then re-sell yourself using these qualities. On the day of the group interview, show these qualities as best you can, be comfortable in the surroundings, look forward to the future with the company which may help in the Q and A sessions as well.

Finally, be a team player. This doesn’t mean dominating every conversation but it’s not about being a wallflower either. Find the balance, be personable, get to know the team your working with a little so your oinions are valued later on in assessed group discussions. Also, be tacitical in the role-playing exercises, don’t just say the first thing that pops into your head, really think about it as one contribution that can be used by the business is better than 10 lacklustre ones that are either impractical or unexciting.

Location, Location, Location

This tip applies to those still clueless as to what the future holds after university. Deciding on graduate jobs and schemes is a difficult task; it really is a big deal deciding what you’re going to be doing for up to 50 hours a week for the next 4 years. If you use this tip, you’ll at least be able to make an informed decision.

The first location stands for just that, your geographical location when you finish university, for some people the ideal situation is living at home with mum and dad, rent and bill free until you save up to move into your own place, but for some, getting far away from mum and dad and spreading your wings as a young professional appeals. There are serious pros and cons to both so make a list and also take into account where the opportunities are, be practical in your decision, be happy with your decision.

The second location applies to your location within the company, where do you see yourself in 4 years; make a list from 1 to 5 of the most important things to you. Do you want to progress as quickly as possible, learn your trade in a graduate programme that’s qualification or training heavy, are you driven by money, success, targets, all these factors need to be accounted for in your top 5.
The final location is with reference to the company, are they the market leader, a medium size company, an ethical company. Again, make a list of what matters most to you, do you care most about the company’s annual turnover, ethos or general environment, it’s important to be comfortable with the company so that progressing upwards after the scheme, if that’s what you want, isn’t too daunting.

Never Say Never

It’s very tempting to ignore all the practical advice given by career’s services, recruitment companies and your parents, but eventually it comes to a point when you start think they may have a point. Our marketing team at GRB recently carried out a survey on students and found some really interesting results. Of the 590 plus students that responded to the question ‘What do you feel is your biggest weakness?’ over 50% of them said work experience, if you’re in this category, this tip is for you. In addition to this, of the 1000 plus students who responded to the question ‘If you were an employer who received a huge amount of equally good applications, how would you narrow them down?’ over 60% said work experience would be the dividing factor.

Never say no to looking for work experience in your 1st year, never say no to having for part time job in your summer or during term-time if your timetable allows, and remember that positivity is key. If you get a few rejections, always get back on the horse. Try, try and try again, yes to internships, yes to work experience, yes to societies and yes to reaping the rewards of hard work.

Get a Routine and Stay in a Routine

This academic new year, you won’t be a fool for having said something along the lines of ‘this year’s going to be different’ or ‘I’m going to live in the library this year’, then actually getting to university and slugging it out in the library for the first week followed by a year of partying to reward your hard work. At times like this the old saying ‘work hard, play hard’ springs to mind. 

The key for this time of year is figuring out a routine, treat your course at you would a 9-5 job but with a little bit of flexi-time. This way if you are having a lazy day, you can do as many hours as your attention span allows, so long as you make up for it on your next productive days. Being a full-time student means full-time so stay focussed from 9 to 5, or even 12 to 8. Get a routine, include society meetings and events, be the full-time student you know you can be! 

Do Your Field Research

This one applies mainly to those graduates and students applying to part time work, internships and graduate roles within commercial retail companies. You will need to have done your research on the company to who you are applying, but how about taking it further than a simple Google search?

Visiting the store to which you are applying is a great way to do extra research that shows you have really thought about your application and are invested in getting the role with them. Think about their market position, store layout, products and strengths/weaknesses so that in an interview you can show what you would bring to their company and how you would be a good investment. Such an in depth knowledge of their store operations would set you apart from the majority of applications, ensuring you are remembered after interview.

Making The Most Of Recruitment Fairs

The season is almost upon us for recruitment and career fairs, these can be a priceless resource for your graduate job search and when approached well can really rocket your job hunt forward.

Firstly, make sure you dress appropriately. Ensure you make an impression by dressing smartly and appearing confident and professional.

Make sure you are prepared too, take copies of your CV with you. Don’t hand them out aimlessly, but if you are really interested in a role then ask if they are accepting CV’s currently.

Be careful not to take too many free items, you don’t want to appear as if this is the main reason for your attendance, and if you do take the free merchandise make sure you have a bag to stash it in, that way you keep your hands free for handshakes and accepting company literature.

Finally, practice your sales speech beforehand. You will have only a couple minutes to make an impression and inform the employer about yourself, going with a short, snappy pitch helps make sure you leave a lasting impression.

Also, collect business cards of the people you have spoken to and follow up immediately thanking them for speaking with you and reiterating your interest in the role you spoke of. You may not receive a reply but it could help bring your CV to the company’s attention.

Know The Hidden Market

There are loads of graduate jobs advertised directly from companies each year, however this isn’t the complete overview of what is available. In order to gain a complete insight into the job market it is important to consider a number of different avenues.

The internet is pretty much everyone’s primary resource these days, with instant ability to search for graduate jobs. But there are other useful sources, such as job boards and recruitment consultancies that can offer a broader insight into what is available.

Signing up to just one of these resources is not enough though, different job boards and consultancies will have different clients and therefore different jobs to recruit for, so signing up to as many as possible increases the opportunities available to you. These can be registered for either online or through events such as Fresher Fairs and Recruitment Fairs that the university will be holding at some point during your time there, so make sure you attend these and make the most of every opportunity available.

Tell Me About Yourself

It’s a very common thing for an interviewer to ask you to do at the beginning of a job interview, but are you answering it effectively?

This is a seemingly nice ice breaker but the employer will be looking for examples in your answer of how your history and experiences are transferable to their company and illustrate why you are the right candidate for the job.

Remember to keep it relevant to the job to which you are applying and relate it back at all times. For example, which university you went to, what you studied, the work experience and general experience you have done which has led to your interest in that particular role. If you do have any extra-curricular activities then they are great to mention alongside this. Be careful not to fall into the trap of cliché answers such as ‘I enjoy socialising’ and we definitely recommend avoid leading with ‘what would you like to know?’

Dress To Fit

How do you decide what you are going to wear to that all important graduate interview? It may seem obvious, the standard 3 piece suit attire of course, but is it really that simple?

When deciding on interview clothing there is a key thing you should consider that a lot of people don’t.  Firstly, what is the company culture at the company? If the dress code is smart, then the 3 piece suit would be a wise choice, however if the office is full of people in shorts and flip flops then it may be a bit much. We aren’t saying also wear shorts and flip flops but in these situations smart trousers, shoes and shirt may be more appropriate and ensure neither party feels uncomfortable. It would also show you have done your research on the company and demonstrate your ability to fit nicely into their company culture.

If after doing some research you are unsure about the requirements of how you should dress for the interview do not be afraid to ask your point of contact at the company, if anything they will be impressed by your organisation and attention to detail.

Don't Forget You

It’s a stressful time thinking about finishing university and all the different elements that come along with it. There is so much to do and we know that sometimes it seems like there just aren’t enough hours in the day for everything and it is very easy to let everything take over your life, but it’s so important to try and retain a healthy balance between work and relaxing.

Don’t lose touch with your friends and your social life, these elements are actually just as important as the work. Achieving a good balance, ensuring you see your friends and maintain an active lifestyle will make you feel happier in general and therefore more productive, aiding your university work and your job search.

Planning your time and writing out a timetable can help achieve this balance, ensuring you utilise the time you have in the best possible way. This structure will ensure you are reserving some time for yourself, enabling you to relax and rejuvenate, ensuring you give yourself the best possible chance of success.

Honesty Is the Only Policy

Everyone wants to give themselves the best possible chance of finding the graduate career of their dreams and because of this it is very easy to get carried away when writing your CV. However, it is so important to ensure that you remain honest and, yes, write up your experiences to paint your abilities in the best light, but do not stretch the truth to the point of no return.

Exaggerating your experiences and skills may seem like a good idea when you are receiving calls regarding interviews, but what about when you are questioned on these during the interview? Any interviewer for any role will ask you extensively about your previous experiences to gage how transferable your skills are, if you have exaggerated within your CV or embellished beyond what you have actually done it will be easy for the interviewer to stumble across weaknesses and you will appear unorganised and come across as an unprepared candidate.

Think carefully about what you have been involved in outside of your academics and what skills and abilities your work experience has provided you that can be related to the role to which you are applying. We are sure you will have plenty to discuss with any interviewer, without having to stretch the truth.

Be Specific

Interviewers will have a lot of questions to ask you in any interview for any job, because they will want to make sure you are right for their company in many different ways. However, don’t make the mistake and ramble when answering questions, be specific.

Think carefully before the interview about your experiences to date and what they can be used as examples for. Due to the volume of questions interviewers have to ask, the more efficiently you are able to answer will mean they can fit in more, leaving you in a better position on completion of your interview. It will also ensure that you appear both prepared and knowledgeable as well as keeping the recruiter engaged, ensuring that you are able to impress the potential employer and convince them that you are the perfect fit for their company, bringing all the relevant skills they seek.

It's Never Too Late

A lot of graduates are now well in to their graduate job search, have begun interviewing and maybe even potentially have secured roles for the summer onwards. However, not everyone chooses to take this approach, some students prefer to focus solely on their exams and then think about their job search. Both approaches are completely fine, but if leaving it later, it is important not to lose motivation.

Leaving your graduate job search until after your exams avoids distractions, additional stress and timetabling conflicts between exams, revision and interviews. However, it also means that companies will have already started to fill their schemes and roles before you have begun looking, making your job search potentially more complicated, having to investigate less obvious avenues for applications. The most important factor is to not lose motivation; there are roles out there and a whole hidden market to discover. Join as many recruitment agencies and consultancies as possible to get the best overview of the job market as a whole and remember to always tailor your applications and avoid trying to cut corners.

Always Proofread

As we write this we are sure many graduates are sending off numerous job applications and CV’s to potential employers. But are they perfect? When sending out numerous applications it is very easy to make little mistakes that go undetected by you but can cause you to be screened out of the process.

Important things to check are you email address and mobile number, if you have these wrong you aren’t contactable in the first instance. May sound silly? It does happen, numbers get typed incorrectly and email addresses change without being replaced.

Also ensure the dates on your CV are all correct and concise. Even if this is wrong but doesn’t give a bad impression, if the mistake is misleading and this comes up in an interview it will be an issue and make your eye for detail seem weak.

Finally, remember to check spelling and grammar in every instance; cover letters, CV’s, Thank you notes etc. Ask family members and/or friends to proof read them; they will bring a fresh pair of eyes and pick up on errors that you will miss, preventing you missing out on job opportunities.

Make The Most Of Every Opportunity

In today’s current climate it’s more important than ever for graduates to have work experience when entering the job market. Most commonly are summer internships and industrial placements whilst at university; both are invaluable when it comes to your graduate job search.

While at university, a lot of courses and universities offer the option of an industrial placement or, more and more commonly, require it to get the degree. Don’t shy away from this opportunity, leaving university with a degree that included a year’s work experience helps give you an edge.

For those who haven’t had that opportunity, the summer is upon us and a lot of graduates are still in the midst of their search for employment. A great utilisation of time would be to secure work experience in the form of an internship within a field of interest and that you are applying to. On your CV this shows a proactive approach to your spare time and helps ensure you have less of a gap on your CV as well as highlighting to employers that you will have the skills and attributes they are searching for.

Don't Be A Couch Potato

It’s easy to fall into a routine of university life and wanting to just do nothing after the stress and pressure of the exam period. However, this won’t help your job search or yourself in general.

Exercising is a crucial element of improving wellbeing and in turn positively affecting your job hunt. Through increasing exercise not only do you lose weight and tone up, subsequently feeling  happier, you also start to eat better and sleep sounder, which your energy levels improve leading to an increase in productivity. In turn this leads to reduced stress levels and increased confidence, two great characteristics to have when searching for your graduate job and attending interviews, leaving you with the best chance of success.

So why not get fit for the summer and improve your employment search, get together with friends, join a gym or commit to a form of weekly exercise and have fun.

Interview Follow Up

What do you do after a job interview? Do you go home and wait or do you improve your chances of progressing to the next stage and getting the position? Following up after an interview is a great way to make sure you stand out from the multiple applicants and here are some tips on how to write a great ‘Thank you’ follow up.

Always remember, a thank you is a nice touch, but it can be a great strategic move. Include anything you think of after your interview that you wish you had said in retrospect (not too much though, keep it short and sweet).

If there were any concerns shared about your suitability, address them and reiterate your reasoning behind this potential weakness not being a problem and your suitability for the role.

Finish by highlighting your three top experiences and qualifications and how they would benefit the company from what you learnt during your interview. Reiterate information you learnt and your increased interests and determination, promising to deliver in the role, as we are sure you will.

Do Something Memorable

Are you still unsure of where you want to focus your degree? Have you considered taking a gap year at the end of your studies to explore the world and figure out your next move? It’s a great thing to do to gain the life experience and soft skills companies love whilst giving you the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of others.

There are a variety of different organised projects you could get involved with on your time out, for example Africa & Asia Adventures, a fantastic not-for-profit organisation offering amazing voluntary projects in a range of areas with fantastic benefit for the community in which you would live.

Recently more and more we are noticing an increased preference from companies for applicants who have been involved in extracurricular activities and voluntary projects in order to demonstrate the key soft skills they seek and a great personality fit for their company culture. Africa and Asia Adventures and other like companies are able to provide such experiences, offering you the ability to be truly involved with new cultures, living with the locals within a totally new community, whilst gaining work experience that truly makes a difference to both you and the people you are helping.

It would definitely be an experience you would never forget and ensure that you yourself are unforgettable.

Always Ask Questions

Everyone has experienced it, knows it’s going to be asked, or both. The question at the end of every interview; ‘Do you have any questions?’ The only answer to this question is ‘Yes’.

This is your opportunity to shine. Have questions prepared before you have even entered your interview so that you will have things to ask without fail, for example, ‘why is the position vacant?’, ‘what are the long term goals of the company and the department’, ‘what is the company culture like?’, ‘what is a standard day in this role like?’ and asking if the interviewers themselves like working there and why. Asking such questions shows your interest in the company and expresses long term intentions.

Also ensure you take a notepad and pen (in a folder, neatly presented, no chewed up old biros) into the interview with you so that if you think of a question from the interview you can jot it down to remember later. Such interest, preparation and organisation is sure to leave a great, lasting impression.

Do Your Research

Last week’s tip was to ensure you have researched the role you are applying to, and the career path you are set on. This week’s tip follows on in same nature; research.

Another element of research you will need to do is on the company to which you are applying. Ensure you have done this before applying, it will help you tailor your application to the company properly, helping you stand out from other applicants. You also never know when a company may call so doing this research at the earliest stage of the application will ensure preparation when receiving a surprise call.

When you are invited to an interview, do more research, don’t just rely on your initial research. This research will need to be far more in depth, and you will need to consider the external environment too, such as competitors and the market in which they operate. Doing this will enable you to tailor your answers, think of good questions to ask at the end of your interview and give a great overall first impression, making sure you stand out from the crowd.

Know What You Want

When applying to graduate jobs, in a time when too many people are falling into the trap of applying to any role, you need to know what you want. By this we don’t mean narrowing down your job search to only one specific type of career, we mean avoiding making a very common mistake; not truly understanding what you are applying to.

Research your chosen path thoroughly, just because you may have heard of the job role at university doesn’t necessarily mean you completely understand what that position entails. This may sound obvious, but it is a mistake we see regularly. As a job applicant you need to be able to answer what you understand about the career and role and why you are interested in it. For example, consultancy, there are many different types, yet more and more we speak to people who want to go into consultancy, but don’t realise consultancy ranges across every industry and therefore haven’t thought about which interests them.

Having a thorough understanding of the career path you want and the role you are applying to will leave any interviewer impressed and far more convinced of your interest, sincerity and suitability for their vacancy.

Think Carefully Before Making That Call

Missed a call? Do you think about who it could be before calling back? Do you even call back? Whether during a graduate job search, or just in general, it is so important to do this.

Firstly, if you have missed a call and there is a voicemail then listen to the voicemail. It will contain information on the caller and the reasons behind the call as well as possibly a direct line for you to call. This will allow you to prepare and seem organised and informed when calling back.

Also think carefully about your phone etiquette when calling into a company, our consultants advise that lines such as ‘Hi, My name is…I had a missed call from…earlier on today/yesterday etc. Is it possible to speak to them now?’ are always winners; it sounds professional and gives a great first impression.

Especially when applying for jobs, make sure you answer your phone professionally and with an engaging tone, never screen your calls and always call back using the best phone etiquette, you never know when it will count.

Top 5 Tips For A Successul Study Period

We know it’s not easy to remain focussed when revising for those all important exams, especially with so many distractions around at university. With the study period well underway and exams looming we have put together 5 of what are, in our opinion, the best tips to improve your chances of studying success.

1. Start Early. Sleeping in and revising late will leave you sluggish, unmotivated and distracted. Starting early will ensure you feel you have achieved and also have some time to relax with friends.

2. Put a timetable up and send it to your friends. Then people will know when you are supposed to be revising, which will lessen distractions and increase motivation.

3. Go Old School. Print all the information you need from your computer then switch it off. With technology comes many distractions, take it old school with paper and colourful pens for increased success.

4. Utilise what you are learning. Don’t just sit and stare at facts until you think you have memorised them. Answer practice questions and write mini essays about what you are learning to ensure you truly understand and can use your knowledge.

5. Potassium. Eat bananas to enhance focus and increase energy. Don’t fall into the trap of living off caffeine, go for a slow energy release and feel sustained for longer.

Good Luck!

Is Your CV Up To Scratch?

With the incredibly high volume of applications received by graduate employers and recruiters alike, the presentation and content of your CV is of the upmost importance. Here are some simple things you can do to ensure your CV doesn’t ruin your chances at that dream role.

Ensure all your personal and contact information is clear and correct. Make sure you have included an up to date mobile number, a home number (if applicable) and email address, and that you have written them correctly. If you miss numbers or use an old university email address then you are not contactable.
Provide all information clearly in sections and make sure elements are shown in reverse chronological order and that this is kept consistent throughout your CV.

Declare your A level or equivalent results, not just subjects studied or they may be assumed to not meet the requirements. Also provide a predicted final grade (or actual grade if already achieved) for your degree, along with a couple relevant module results.

Finally, avoid paragraphs and mini essays of information within your CV. These days it is so important that potential employers can recognise your achievements, both academic and extra curricular, quickly. If you have provided this within a half a page of writing it isn’t clear and won’t show you off to your full potential.

For more information on CV’s please refer to our CV guide: http://www.grb.uk.com/cv_makeover.0.html

Be Patient

We know it isn’t easy to be patient when it comes to your graduate job search but it is important for a number of different reasons.

Firstly, be aware that you won’t be the only applicant for a role. It may take a little bit of time for you to receive feedback, do not chase progress after a few hours or a day, they probably haven’t even had time to look at any applications yet. It’s always good to be keen, but you don’t want to risk annoying your potential employer and seeming high maintenance.

Secondly, if you have any questions that’s great, but don’t expect an immediate answer. Questions about the role will more than likely be easy for the interviewer to answer, but if it isn’t and they have to find out give them time to do so. Questions you have after an offer of employment may also be simple to answer, but there are many variables here, such as number of new employees, number of the years the company have run the role and logistics of the job. It can be frustrating if you do not have all the answers immediately, but remember, they want you to work for them and you are in a great position. They will be doing their best to sort everything; it just may take some time.

Finally, everybody will receive rejection at least once before finding the graduate job for them, do not get disheartened. Be patient and keep going, you will succeed and it will be worth it when you do.

Always Make A Good First Impression

Sounds pretty obvious? Good. Then you are more than likely making a good first impression. But as recruiters we have seen and heard of our fair share of bad first impressions. And when we speak of first impressions this is with anyone involved in your graduate job search, both recruiters and graduate employers.

Make sure you have an appropriate voicemail set up; we recommend you check this regularly, you never know who has got hold of your phone. Graduate recruiters and employers alike won’t find things funny like your friends do; it could cause irreparable damage to your application. In fact, make sure you actually have a voicemail set up; the inability of a recruiter to leave a message may stop your application dead in its tracks.

Even more importantly, think about the first impression you are giving at your interview. Make sure you are dressed well and appropriately. No dresses or skirts above the knee, no low cut blouses, no unbuttoned shirts. If you are taking laptops or folders make sure they are clean and tidy, not run down and tattered. When sat waiting do not sit on your laptop, read through notes, but make sure you are able to react in an instant to the person arriving. Sit corporately, do not lounge around in their chairs, no matter how comfy they are. Finally, if you want water, accept their offer of a drink, do not take a sports bottle and swig from this throughout an interview.

With an ever increasing pool of talented graduates being produced by universities, these tips are of the upmost importance, no matter how obvious they may seem.

Being Numerically Minded

This week's tip comes from a recent graduate, Arnab Datta. Numeracy is one of the key skills needed to secure most graduate jobs, along with writing and IT skills. A basic knowledge is assumed for most jobs but of course there are certain career paths that required a more detailed understanding. So, how important is it to develop numerical skills during your studies?

A recent study has revealed that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) graduates earn on average 4.47% more than other graduates. This report aimed to ascertain the ‘labour market value’ of qualifications, but other research has shown even greater discrepancies in favour of STEM graduates ranging from 18.8% to 33%. Still, there is not complete agreement over the value of science and engineering degrees, since other statistics have conversely shown that the salaries are lower.

Although a salary should not be your sole motivation for a graduate job, it is a fairly good indicator of the demand for graduates with certain degrees, and will help to assess your job prospects. The main reason why STEM graduates are in greater demand is that they have developed transferable skills, which can also be used in careers like Finance. Also, some STEM degrees enable a greater choice of modules at university and give the opportunity to learn more about business. This helps to create more well rounded individuals who develop both a theoretical grounding in their subject and a commercial awareness that they can take into the workplace.

Still, the most crucial message outlined in these types of research is the general importance of numeracy, since employers think that this is one of the skills that graduates lack most. Even if you do not study a Maths related degree, you should still try to keep your basic skills up to date. This will be useful for any career, since usually there are work plans and budgets to complete or proposals, which all require calculations. Making a mistake in the office could be costly, so you need to ensure that you are accurate. Indeed, numeracy skills are linked to IT, since a lot of work is done in spreadsheets. Therefore, developing considerable experience of this will definitely help in the future.

Overall, don’t worry if you are not that numerically inclined, since the key is to develop the core skills that are regularly used in the majority of careers. Still, it is worth bearing in mind that if you do manage to develop these types of skills, then it will not only help you to secure most graduate jobs, but will also put you more at ease in the workplace.

Rejection From A Graduate Job Interview – A Worthwhile Lesson

Chances are at some point you will have to face some sort of rejection from a graduate recruiter, but it is how you deal with this rejection that sets you up for your interviews for future graduate jobs. Criticism can be a good source of useful information, as long as you can take it on board and learn from it.


If you receive, or do at some point in the future, a rejection from a job application always ask for feedback. It doesn’t matter what stage of the process you are rejected at, always request the reasons behind their decision. Once you have this do not let it negatively affect you and your motivation, instead use it as an excellent means of improving. Now that you know what your stumbling block was you can set actions in place to resolve it, whether it is something on your CV, your attire or perhaps even something you said during an interview. Criticism can definitely be a worthwhile lesson, just make sure you take the good from the bad and move forward.

Be Aware Of Graduate Jobs All Year Round

A common misunderstanding amongst people these days is that graduate jobs are seasonal. This isn’t the case, a large amount of graduate recruiters have a continual year round recruitment process.


Graduates need to remain vigilant the whole year round for opportunities that match their skills and interests. If you don’t have a job offer after the initial August/September intake do not panic or let your motivation and confidence take a hit. There is no seasonal slow-down and we have been and will carry on listing new graduate jobs every day. The mistake most people make is giving up because they haven’t snagged one of the early recruiting graduate schemes. These are just one of your options for roles after university, so do some more research, consider direct entry roles and keep the applications going, there are plenty more opportunities available to you!

Know The Market Of Your Potential Graduate Job

A lot of people these days are sold stories on which graduate jobs are glamorous, which industries and sectors are the big money earners and which markets are the most stable. However, how much do you really know about the market of the role you have a graduate interview for?


Having an in depth opinion of the industry shows you know what you are talking about, truly know what the job entails and are passionate about it. Graduate recruiters don’t want to hire someone who wants to get into the industry simply because they know people who have said it’s good or they’ve heard about the success of others. Interviewers will be looking for graduates who can tell them what they like about the industry, recount its history and give an opinion on where they think it will be in 5 years time. It is also important to get an idea of the market too so that you know who the competitors are and what the market position is for the company you’re interviewing with. Being able to comment on such factors, or possibly even compliment, sets you in motion to establish common ground and build good rapport.

Stand Out In The Eyes Of Graduate Recruiters

Always doing extensive research on the company you have your graduate interview with is a given and we’re sure you do it but so does 99% of your competition for graduate jobs. So how do you set yourself apart from the rest?

The answer is research. You may have done loads, but there’s one thing the majority of candidates forget; the person who is going your graduate interview. We have such a broad range of networking mediums at our disposal these days that it is incredibly easy to do some effective research into your interviewer. When being offered an interview always ask who it will be with, if not already told, and make a note of the name and their job position within the company. Take advantage of resources such as LinkedIn to find out more about this person; what have they done in the past? What do they enjoy in their spare time? Etc. Try and find a common interest, such as sport or subjects studied, and use this to your advantage in the interview to strike up interesting conversation. Such an approach will instantly build rapport and make you memorable.

Believe In Your Dream Graduate Job

We all have our ideal graduate jobs in mind when we graduate, sometimes even before. Maybe it’s a graduate scheme with a big company or SME, a direct entry role into an area of great interest from your studies or even small jobs or voluntary work for taking some time off to travel. Even though they are all very different aspirations, all graduate recruiters will need to be equally impressed.


It’s all about the skills you have, the impression you make and your desire for the role. So what sort of impression do you make when you don’t believe in yourself? Graduate recruiters want someone resilient, with a great personality and optimism and if you don’t believe that you can provide them with what they want and need how are they ever going to believe it? So take a step back to when you were younger and willing to believe in everything and anything, don’t let the current job market bring you down, believe in yourself and others will believe in you too.

Everyone has a dream...what’s yours?

Don't Leave Your Graduate Interview Preparation Too Late

You’ve worked hard on applications to graduate jobs, your graduate CV is great and you have landed yourself an interview. This doesn’t mean you can sit back and relax though, you will need to start preparing for it straight away so that you have the best possible chance of impressing those graduate recruiters.


Before attending a graduate interview you will need to have done a lot of in depth research. Make sure you know their market position, their latest moves, their products and services and their strengths and weaknesses. Ensure you know their history, their target markets, their marketing campaigns and their competitors. In fact the information you need to know goes on and on. Make neat notes from your research on a nice paper pad or in a folder that can be taken into an interview with you and keep them short so you can easily refer to them. Take a pen for making notes in the interview and jot down lots of questions you could ask so that you won’t be left with ‘no you answered everything’ and instead will be able to ask intellectual questions that will impress.

Tweet Your Way Into Graduate Jobs

There are many different networking opportunities to explore when searching for graduate jobs. Recently social media has been becoming a popular medium for reaching out and finding potential graduate recruiters, one of the most notable being Twitter.

As a micro-blogging site Twitter allows its members to remain up to date with the lives and events of the people and companies they choose to follow. This is beneficial as it keeps you up to date with latest graduate job postings and prepares you for graduate interviews by keeping you informed of latest company news. It’s also a good opportunity to show off your writing skills, especially if interested in a literary career path. Taking advantage of Twitters many functions can result in your appearance under key word searches, giving you more presence.

If you haven’t yet created an account sign up today and begin building your presence. If you do have an account but don’t use it much, keep it fresh, you never know when companies may view it and if you do use your Twitter frequently be careful of what you post, your online identity says a lot about you to graduate recruiters.

What Not To Write When Applying For Graduate Jobs

It’s a very competitive market right now and your graduate CV has to stand out. There are a few simple rules you need to ensure you have followed in order to make sure your CV doesn’t turn off graduate recruiters.


Save room for important, factual information and don’t ramble. Listing basic skills everyone has is not beneficial, such as Microsoft and the internet. Only list specialist programme familiarity that will be relevant to the role you are applying too such as programming languages if applying for a software engineering role. There is also no need for ‘responsible for’, just list the responsibilities straight away rather than wasting valuable lines and space.

Avoid generalisations and unsupported statements. With your new found space ensure you back up your claims. Don’t say you are experienced without listing experience, a team worker with no evidence of team working or accomplished and results driven with no proof of achievements. Make a list of what you have been involved with and achieved and go from there, only detail things you can back up confidently in an interview or you’ll fail at the second hurdle.

Procrastination Isn't The Key When Graduate Job Hunting

After a lovely Christmas break and a no doubt boozy New Year it’s difficult to get back in the swing of things, especially when repetitively filling out application forms and altering your graduate CV and Cover Letter. However, it’s a crucial element of your graduate job search.


Unfortunately there is a whole world of distractions as soon as you turn your computer on. You may have the best of intentions and sit down with a resolution of not checking your Facebook, not tweeting about everything you do and staying at the desk until you have finished but how long do those intentions last?

Before you sit down do the cleaning, washing, cooking and tidying or you will probably end up being distracted by them. Eat before you begin so you don’t constantly feel to get up and get food and, if you don’t need the internet, unplug it so you avoid distracting sites. If all else fails then employ your willpower, the task at hand is important and the less distracted you allow yourself to get, the quicker it will be done and the better quality your applications and your graduate CV will be.

Don't Make A Mistake While Seeking A Graduate Job

Looking for your first graduate job can be a busy and confusing time. With so much going on it’s easy to make mistakes and overlook certain areas.


Always remember to be organised with your search, knowing who you want to apply to and why will help you write a better, tailored graduate CV and cover letter. Remember to check your references first, ensure the person is happy to provide a reference and a good one too. Also don’t use a work email, using your employers resources for personal reasons won’t impress graduate recruiters.

Limiting your job options is also a common mistake. It is good to have focus when it comes to your job search, but remain open minded about opportunities rather than only considering one specific role. Don’t write off temporary roles either, they provide you with good work experience and can often lead to a permanent role within the company.

Finally, send a thank you note. Most people don’t think about this, which is why you should and be sure to stand out from the crowd.

The Importance Of First Impressions When Applying For Graduate Jobs

With the competitiveness of today’s graduate job market the first impression you give to potential graduate recruiters is of the upmost importance. This first impression is of course your graduate CV. With more and more applications being received by companies it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to distinguish between applicants.


PwC is expecting an all time high of 30,000 applications for their graduate scheme, of which they will interview about 7000, meaning eliminating a lot of people on paper. But they have expressed their fears of missing hidden talent due to this process.

Ensure your CV is neat and tidy, on nice paper and avoids needless information. Keep it punchy and 2 pages maximum. Use your time wisely; extra-curricular activities are just as important as academics so get involved in as much as possible so that your CV stands out from the crowd.

Make Getting A Graduate Job Your New Year’s Resolution

Okay, so last year was full of bad news about the graduate jobs market, which has no doubt put a lot of stress on everyone currently looking for, or starting to think of looking for, a graduate job. But now it’s 2012, a new year and a new start.
It’s that time when everyone is making their new year’s resolutions; why not stray from the normal ones such as joining a gym, going on that extreme diet and trying to lose a stone in a month? Instead think of those things you REALLY need to do this New Year, such as achieving the elements you need to in order to have a fruitful job search (CV writing, taking part in things to improve your CV and number of applications sent a month for example). Just make sure they’re realistic. Set yourself an achievable goal to ensure you remain motivated throughout the year, stick to your resolution and land yourself your dream graduate job.

Grow Your Network When Looking For A Graduate Job

The graduate job market is very competitive, with many graduates fighting to be seen by graduate recruiters. Networking events are a great way to see and be seen by important contacts within companies, so make use of them.

There are a few things to remember at networking events, whether they are small events or large career fairs. Think of them as a way to get to know the graduate recruiters, showing interest and asking for advice in a friendly, professional manner will make them more willing to help you. Be confident, directly introduce yourself and open with a question to get the juices flowing. Always mind your appearance too; you want to appear smart and professional so save the tracksuits and hoodies for the comfort of your own living room.

A lot of universities hold their own departmental networking events, which a selection of employers attend. These are a great way to network as they are much smaller. At events it can be beneficial to take a contact card with you to give out, rather than a CV which may not get read. The best thing to do though is get a contact card from the employers so that you can take control and initiate contact, a sure fire way to ensure you are remembered.