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.