Despite uncertain economic times there are many great opportunities for graduates.
Focus
Knowing what you want to do will ensure focus and stronger applications.
Short term options
Temping, graduate internships, work experience, volunteering and part-time work – all these are a good use of your time while you are applying for a permanent position. It’s better to be adding experience and skills to your CV than just be waiting for the perfect job. It’s also a good way to build your network of contacts which can help in achieving your longer term goal.
Think beyond the well-known and large organisations
They offer great opportunities but there are also many smaller and medium-sized employers with excellent roles for graduates.
Don't just rely on advertised jobs
Direct, speculative approaches to potential employers in your target field can be an effective way of securing a position which might never have been formally advertised. For some sectors this is the main way of job hunting. Get to know the typical recruitment methods for your sector. See below for further tips on speculative approaches.
Check deadlines and recruitment timetables
This means you can prioritise and organise your applications. The larger employers tend to recruit at least a year in advance so if you are just starting your job hunting after graduation, you are likely to be looking at entry for the following summer. Many other organisations, however, have a shorter timetable and recruit at different times of the year. Keep a record of applications made and save copies of applications so that you can keep track of everything (also useful for interview preparation!).
Be thorough
There isn't a magic number of applications that you should make. Don't sacrifice quality for quantity, but at the same time you need to have enough applications on the go so you are not putting all your hopes on only one or two. Thorough research of the job role, employer and sector will help you produce well-targeted applications. This takes time, but is more likely to result in an interview than sending off a lot of rushed applications. If applications are not going well, it’s important to review your job hunting strategy, including getting advice to help you re-focus.
Market yourself!
A well-presented and targeted CV or application form which emphasises your strengths and skills, together with a confident performance at interview are key factors in achieving your ideal job.
Our interactive careers service has a wide range of vacancies. Other graduate job websites include:
Graduate directories
Available to take away from the CEC, listing the larger employers.
Graduate internships
Kick start your career and enhance your CV with a graduate internship. For more information on current schemes see our graduate portal.
Sector specific sources
There are a number of specialist jobs websites and journals for different sectors and professions. Find these via the Contacts and Resources section of the job profiles on www.prospects.ac.uk and our Resources section.
Attend careers and jobs fairs and talk directly to recruiters, and for events elsewhere in the UK see the Careers Fairs section of www.prospects.ac.uk. Sign up for the CEC e-newsletter (sent weekly during term time) to keep up to date with events.
Staying in the West Midlands?
See our make it in the Midlands section for links including local recruitment agencies. A key organisation is Graduate Advantage www.graduateadvantage.co.uk
