Deciding on a Postgraduate Course

It is possible that you have already considered pursuing a postgraduate course after you have completed your undergraduate degree. A postgraduate course could enhance your future by increasing your chances of employment in your chosen career and developing your knowledge and qualifications, but it can be a difficult choice so ask yourself exactly what you want to get out of it.

Many master’s and diplomas are linked to specific careers and some are essential entry points into professions such as a Barrister or a Teacher. Research the course you are interested in by speaking to previous students and take advantage of the university careers team who can give you an unbiased view. It is important to read the prospectus carefully to make sure it covers the options and electives that you want; will it qualify you to work in your chosen career? Lastly, after having your heart set on a particular course, apply in plenty of time to save disappointment.

For more information and to search for postgraduate courses click here

Making your final year count

With the pending rise in university fees meaning future students could pay up to £30,000 for a degree, it's increasingly important to make your final year count so you come away with a degree grade that can hold its own in the competitive graduate job market. If you want to achieve this you have to focus, approach your work load professionally and take it step by step - don't let it stress you out.

As a final year student, you should already be looking at your next step as a graduate. You don't have to put pressure on yourself just at least start to put in some research and not fear the task of planning for life after university. This could be as simple as some internet research to find out what you can actually do with your degree or attending the careers fairs that are taking place around the country in the next few weeks - find out about your nearest fair and make sure you attend. The Graduate recruitment Bureau will be visiting upcoming careers fairs to tell graduates about our opportunities. Come and visit us at The Guardian London Graduate fair from The Careers Group on the 19th October.

The importance of researching before your interview

You will be surprised how many people do not realise the importance of researching graduate employers before applying for a job or attending an interview. Graduate recruiters will expect you to have some understanding and awareness of their organisation and the business sector in which it works so make sure you have some strong facts lined up. The main background information that you should research includes; what the company does and where they are based; the company’s milestones, achievements and history; who its customers are; which market it operates in; its main competitors; information on how the company is growing; how the company has been effected by the recession and also the company’s unique selling points (USP’s).

Career fairs and Fresher’s fairs

University life kicks off with the simply unmissable Autumn Career fairs and Fresher’s fairs. Fresher’s Week will not be complete without a visit to the single biggest event organised by your university which welcomes thousands of students who have just started, bringing a certain amount of excitement and uncertainty.

The upcoming Career fairs during September and October will provide valuable information and direction to beginning your job search. You can register with graduate recruitment agencies looking for candidates and find out about work placements, internships and volunteer work, which is a great start to shaping your CV. Don’t forget about the Fresher’s fair even if you’re not a new starter, as it’s still a good opportunity to refresh your memory about the facilities on offer outside your course of study, from sport, right through to trampolining, cheerleading, and badminton; and interests like film, music, and culture. It's a great way to meet like minded people. Local businesses including fast food restaurants, hairdressers, gyms and nightclubs are often in fierce competition resulting in them going to great lengths to win over students to get them to use their products or services, so there will be great freebies, giveaways and discounts, make sure you don’t miss out on anything!

Why are you being rejected?

Rejection is unfortunately something you will usually encounter during your search for a graduate job. It can make you doubt yourself and can knock your self esteem. However it is possible to use this to your advantage in your future job search as assessing these past unsuccessful applications can make your job search more effective, making rejection less likely. You could be applying too widely across different industries, or applying within a very specific field resulting in missed opportunities elsewhere. Don’t let your strategies go stale, apply speculatively and keep your eyes peeled for networking opportunities where you can build your contacts. Another reason you may be falling at the first hurdle is that you need more experience so consider applying for work experience or even voluntary work Proven experience in a working environment is much more attractive to an employer than just a degree.

A Fresh Start

Think of the new year as a chance to get out there and to make the most out of your time. You will learn a lot more at university than just how to write a dissertation.  You will discover your independence and learn to survive on your own and it is very important to balance work and play so that you are motivated to do your best at university. Motivate yourself by getting involved with all of student life and set goals during the year to maximise your achievements and to develop good habits for the future. Join a gym or take regular exercise to get fit, or you could join a sports team which would help you meet new people and improve your fitness. Look out for societies that interest you, and becoming a representative for a student union or society will also look great on your CV.

Covering Correctly

As a graduate employer wading through applications, you can spot a generic covering letter from a mile off. It’s so easy as an applicant to fire out the same thing over and over again but it’s not going to do you any favours. Make sure to refer to points made in the job description, and early on, as generally most recruiters will read the first few lines and skim-read the rest. Also make sure your covering letter isn’t too long, 150-300 words max. You want to give them the most relevant information first so you should mention every attribute you possess that meets the job specification. It’s your chance to summarise what specifically makes you the perfect candidate, so don’t start talking about any kind of project or experience that doesn’t link directly to what they are looking for.