Where to start looking
Looking for a job, whether it is your first job or your fifth is always going to be a daunting process – where do you begin, are you choosing the right career, is your CV up to scratch? However, it is important to remember that you are not alone, and that everyone shares the same concerns – not knowing which career is right for you is a totally normal feeling shared by thousands of graduates.
What should you do now?
It is important to start from the beginning - write a list of what is important to you. What are you looking for in a career? Money, security, benefits, travel? It is essential that you understand what you want from a job as otherwise you may end up unsatisfied. There is no point going for a job with a starting salary of £30k but with long working hours and lots of travelling if you value your social life highly.
- Write a list of your strengths, weaknesses and key skills. This will help you to make your perfect job match. It is also important to remember that skills are transferable - the skills you learnt in that part time job or sports team at university can be used to show an employer you have the experience that they are looking for.
- Write your CV. Once you have drawn up a list of what you are looking for in a career and your strengths, weaknesses and key skills you will need to translate this into your CV. The GradJobs team have plenty of tips on how to write a winning CV, however, it is important to remember that you should always tailor your CV to each different role you are applying for – make sure you can prove to the employer that you do have the skills for the job.
- Attend graduate recruitment fairs. It is important that you take advantage of the careers advice and research opportunities available to you. The National Graduate Recruitment Exhibitions provide graduates with everything they need to begin their job hunt – from CV advice to job-hunting tips, to careers advice and the chance to apply for jobs. Attending the fair will also give you more of an idea of which career is right for you.
- Apply for internships and/or work experience. This is an excellent way to find out more about the industry and whether you think it is right for you. Employers will also value work experience highly, and it will help you get your foot in the door – if you impress an employer whilst working as an intern they may well offer you a job at the end of your placement. The National Work Placement Exhibition is the ideal forum to apply for work placements and internships, running in October in the NEC there will be leading recruiters looking to take on interns – make sure you register now to attend the event.
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