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