Tips For Graduate Jobseekers

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The job market can seem like a daunting place – but don’t worry, we’ve put together our top five tips for graduate job seekers.

Competition seems to be increasing among recent graduates, with some popular positions receiving 200 applications per day.

So cast your employment fears aside and take a look at our tips for graduate job seekers…

1. Be flexible 

Be prepared to stay open-minded. Try not to stick to a concrete idea of what you’re looking for from a graduate job.

Consider alternative options – your degree subject doesn’t necessarily have to dictate which jobs you apply for. 

50% of UK graduates will work in a field unrelated to their subject of study, and by the age of 24 an overwhelming 96% have reported switching careers. 

The skills you’ve picked up at university will be transferable to many careers, so don’t feel fenced in by your academic past. 

2. Do your research 

Knowing as much as possible about a potential employer is key as a graduate job seeker.

Familiarise yourself with a company’s mission statement and values, as this could shape your application and how you sell yourself. 

Find out as much as you can about any assessment processes a company might use. 

Online assessments and video interviews have become almost standard in the early stages of applications.

Why not try filming yourself answering practice questions for timed periods? This might increase your confidence when it comes to having to face your first video interview.

You can also practise many of the most common aptitude tests* at TestHQ.com, including study guides and explanations of answers to help you prepare for your assessment.

LinkedIn and GlassDoor provide company reviews and tips for graduate job seekers from current employees.

3. Tailor your applications

A common mistake among graduate job seekers is to submit the same CV for different jobs.

This is often pretty transparent to employers, so tailor your CV for each role depending on the job requirements.

Make sure potential employers will be able to discern your job-specific skills with just a quick glance at your CV.

Devote a specific section of your application to summarising your relevant skills and achievements.

Try not to include conflicting experience – a tailored CV is much more likely to impress than one loaded with irrelevant information.

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4. Go the extra mile

Think outside the box when it comes to your job search to ensure your applications are reaching a wider audience.

Try contacting companies directly to ask about work experience opportunities, as this shows real initiative.

Although opportunities might not always be available, you’ll set yourself apart as someone to contact if anything comes up in the future. 

You could even try to stay in touch with companies you’ve contacted. Don’t be afraid to remind them that you’re still interested in what they do. 

Social media has some great tips for graduate job seekers, but you could also try posting on Twitter or LinkedIn that you’re looking for opportunities. You never know – someone might get in touch.

5. Don’t panic

We know, it’s easier said than done!

Although it can be frustrating to be met with numerous rejections when searching for your first graduate job, just remember it’s a time-consuming process. 

Your first few applications may not be successful, but never shy away from asking for feedback. 

Be sure to take something away from each experience, such as a question that really made you think in an interview. 

Summing up: our tips for graduate job seekers

Persistence, confidence and innovation can get you far in the world of graduate job hunting. 

Setting yourself apart as a stand-out applicant will require time and effort, but could be an essential step in starting your career. 

Don’t be afraid to amp up your achievements, but be sure to think about which are most relevant to the role you’re applying for. 

Hopefully these tips for graduate job seekers will set you on your way to starting your post-university career. The perfect CV is a vital step in that process, so why not use PurpleCV’s CV writing service to make yours the best it can be?