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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

Consider your online identity when applying for graduate jobs

Like it or not, some employers and recruiters will search for you on social networking websites. You are in control of your online identity and a prudent candidate would take this as seriously as their CV and covering letter. A simple solution would be to restrict public access to your profiles, but a page on a social networking site that shows you are socially active and fun could increase your employment credentials. Just try to avoid anything controversial like an outlandish political view that seemed funny at the time or over use of swearing or any other inappropriate material.

If you haven't already, it may be a good idea to set up a LinkedIn profile. This is an online networking site for professionals. On this site an employer will be able to see the contacts you have made during any previous work experience you have had. Also, if you have an account with LinkedIn it’s often the first result if someone Googles your name, making it easy for them to view your professional history.

Leave on good terms

A key part of a successful move into a new graduate job will be getting a clean breakaway from any current employers. The best approach is to give as much notice as possible and continue working as if you plan to stay. While it is important to give good notice, make sure you have written conformation from your new employer before you do so. Also, try to avoid telling co-workers that you are applying elsewhere. This will allow you to keep your options open. Before leaving, ask a senior person who you a have worked with to give you a reference. If you talk to this person about your future role and what you hope to achieve, then they will be able to promote you in a better way.

Good Networking

Networking is a sure way to generate leads for job hunting and it’s also a fantastic skill to have as an employee. Sure it can come easier to some people than for others, but if you’re presented with an opportunity to meet a great contact face to face, here are some ground rules: Never ask for a job, ask for information - the subtle, rapport building approach will always reveal answers. Don’t take up too much of their time - no one wants to be remembered as being an inconvenience so be conscious of what they could be doing. Give them a chance to speak - if you don’t then you’ll never learn anything. Create a vehicle for follow-up - if you want to maintain the relationship you need to create an opportunity for you to touch base again, such as offering to email or call them about something they are interested in. Build common ground and your indirect job search will open up with every new contact you speak to.

Are you looking for a career or a job?

When searching or applying for graduate jobs what mindset are you in? Are you just looking for a job or are you looking for a career? This is a question all recruiters will be trying to suss out as early as possible in the recruitment process. They’ll be trying to find someone who is looking long term, a person who is really serious and committed to the idea of working in their industry. With this in mind you must be doing everything you can to convince them of this and equally, not applying to jobs that you don’t feel passionate about.

Keep your details up to date

If there is one thing that can be really frustrating in graduate recruitment it has to be finding someone who looks perfect for the job and not being able to get in touch with them. We dread to think how many missed opportunities have drifted past over the years so lets not let it happen to you. Foremost, make sure you update us with another email address if you are using a uni one that's about to expire. Secondly ensure we have the most up to date telephone number for you - remember if we can't speak to you we can't put you forward and do our job!

Have a professional output

For an employer or consultant one of the most talked about "pet-hates" has to be the way in which some candidates choose to communicate. For example you should never be using the title "mate" when referring to them - "cheers mate" or "catch ya later mate" is just not the way to address people you a) don't know and b) are working with on a professional level. The same goes for using text language in emails like "thanx 4 ur email. every1 thinks id b really gud 4 this job". Also - smiley faces, joke email addresses and silly voicemails are a big no no! All these things are fine among friends but look very unprofessional in the graduate market and can really put people off - make sure you're projecting the right first impression.

Key Networking in Graduate Recruitment

Networking plays a key part in finding a graduate job. There are many free online networking tools available - the obvious big names being Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn - which are all new routes to applications. Many employers are embracing these methods so they are a good place to start. Outside of online networking think about who you know, what they do and who they might know. Draw up a list if it helps and contact anyone that might give you a lead. Pushing yourself to make the most of every hint of opportunity will always increase your chances of finding work or work experience. Even if it's by the smallest amount, you never know what it could lead to' Visit our: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Blogger.

Painting a picture of yourself at interview

A very common question or request at interview has always been to talk about yourself a little. This open question doesn't require you to give a chronological description of your life to date but more an opportunity to talk about your recent and current interests that define you as an individual. Touch on various subjects that warrant more detail to open up the conversation when asked. It's your opportunity to paint a picture of what you're about so make it a colourful one! Also try to involve the interviewer by asking their opinion as you may share common ground.

How do you deal with criticism?

Everyone is a critic, but not everyone can deal with criticism in a constructive way. If you're to remain composed, and ultimately successful, then you must learn to treat it like feedback. If you can turn what could be perceived as negative comments into a guideline to your personal refinement, then even rejection can be a lesson worth experiencing.

Be a Confident Graduate

A graduate's personality or attitude is just as important as their skill level. You can teach an employee a skill, but some say it is nearly impossible, to change aspects of someone's personality. A confident graduate knows what they want, are proud of their accomplishments and have a desire to advance within a company. With confidence at the forefront of your personality people will see professionalism, gain trust in your expertise and ultimately give you more responsibility.

In The Eyes Of The Graduate Recruiter

What would you look for if you were the recruiter? You would want someone who can help you not someone who says 'I would like the experience'. You would want to see confidence in their ability and evidence that they are in for it long term. You would know that they may not have much experience so you would be looking for the graduate that has the most potential to hit the ground running.'

Tanya de Grunwald, the author of "Dude, Where's My Career?" says:
"Recruiters aren't the devil - they're just being squeezed by their boss, who is being squeezed by their boss. They may have less money than they did a couple of years ago, but there's still lots of work to be done. How can you make their lives better?"

Passion for the position!

Being technically suitable for a position isn't always enough. Most recruiters will be looking for candidates that can display a real passion for the position - this could be in the form of related work experience, hobbies, extra curricular activities that are similar to the role or membership to societies and professional bodies that are connected to the position.  Soft skills are also high up the list such as working well with people and the ability to communicate your ideas in a constructive manor.