Graduate Job Search
Finding the right graduate job for you can seem very daunting with the number of options available. We can help you to navigate the graduate job market.
Job Searchs
What to think about when starting your graduate job search?
How do you start your job searches? When should you start looking for jobs? How can you make yourself more employable? Where can you start your graduate job search? We answer key questions below for students at university who are thinking about their next steps into employment.
How do you start your job searches?
There are many places where you can start your graduate job hunt whilst at university. A first place to look should be at your university careers centre. They will have advice on where to start looking. As well as information on upcoming graduate recruitment fairs that the university might be hosting. These events are great places to speak to multinational companies about the types of graduate schemes they have and find out more about what appeals to you. You can ask questions to find out what they are looking for in their applicants and what the application process entails. There are many graduate recruitment websites that you can find with jobs advertised and tips about how to develop your cv and application.
When should you start your graduate job search? In the final year of your degree?
In four words, as early as possible! Make sure you have your cv prepared and add any valuable summer internships to it. Get everything ready so when graduate schemes open, you can apply early. Prepare yourself in advance for interviews. Many interview are competency based and they want examples of how you have demonstrated a skill. Think of examples of your skills and what you have done using the STAR technique:
- Situation
- Task
- Action
- Result
How can you make yourself more employable?
A key part of your graduate job search is to consider what do employers want? Graduate employability skills include wanting people with strong communication skills, people who can make decisions, IT proficiency, those who have leadership qualities, people who can work well in teams (there is no I in teams!) and employees who are able to manage their time effectively. Graduate recruitment schemes will look for people with these skills as well as well as seeking the top academic graduates. It is a combination of skills that will make you employable. How can you show a prospective employer that you have these skills? Most will look for ‘competency’ examples of how you demonstrated these skills either in an internship or perhaps during your academic studies. Make sure you think about examples and include them using the STAR approach in your application where relevant, and also be prepared to answer using examples in your job interview.
Our specialist mentors can support your graduate job search as part of our careers advice and support service. If you would like to find out more please contact us to speak to one of our advisers.
