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.