Six ways to get a job after graduation:
Employers don't like vague applications, "Pick something that most suits your interests, experience and skills. In applications demonstrate your passion and knowledge for that particular path."
Follow your interests and choose an industry that you are enthusiastic about. It will help you to get the jobs you want and to build a career long-term."
Many graduates think their first job will determine their future career path. "It won't. You will change. The world of work will change, so try to think instead about what you'd like to do in the next 12-24 months to make the decision more manageable,"
Don't be afraid to make mistakes" because developing your career is a continuous process. "Don't make a decision based on what your friends or family think you should be doing. Instead, carve out your own career path."
Unless your master's degree is vocational, having that qualification on your CV won't make you more attractive to employers, "Masters are unlikely to open many doors that are closed to you unless you're thinking of going into academia."
The only time a master's will make you more employable is if it improves your skills and work experience more than a year spent doing something else would, "You might gain that during study – for example a history master's may include a strong data- handling component which is useful for work. Or you might use that extra year of study to polish your presentation or communication skills. You'll have to work hard to make a master's improve your employability – but it can be done."
"It might be worth thinking about how you can gain transferable skills through volunteering or work experience before you spend money on a master's,
Social platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter can be used to find jobs, "For example, show your interests in a career path by joining in discussion on Twitter. This will make employers familiar with your name."
LinkedIn is the most valuable social tool. "If you want to be sought out by head- hunters, the most likely site to be found on is LinkedIn. Social networks are good for networking but they come with a risk of what you put on them and whether employers will see them."
Research suggests 40% of employers use social media to screen candidates, so it's important to keep your online profile clean. "Social media can be [either] a friend or foe, “Personal brand is important, but professional brand is even more so. Employers have been known to check up on a candidate before inviting them for interview, so it's important to ensure you keep all publicly accessible information employer- friendly."
It's important to see your graduate job hunt as a continuous process. "Start thinking about how to take control of your career development on an ongoing basis – by knowing your skills, values and interests – as this will be helpful for you throughout your working life,
In order to feel in control of your job search, you need to follow three steps, “First, follow industries or fields of work that interest you. Second, proactively search out employers, don't wait for adverts, or rest on the use of recruitment companies. And third, make contact with people who already do the roles you want. Ask them how they got there, what the job is really like and whether there are any opportunities coming up. Most people will be happy to help you if you approach the right way.
After time, you'll possess a fantastic network of useful contacts for the next stage of your career."
With high competition for graduate jobs, it's easy to feel disheartened when looking for a job. "You don't have to give up on your dream job once you're clear what that is. "But it is worth thinking about what skills and experience you need for that job. Do you need to retrain? Or bolt on some extra skills in digital media, for example, where there is currently a skills shortage." You may also have to move. "Where you live can have a bearing on the opportunities available to you, for example, living in London versus a regional market town."
It's OK to not know what you want to do when you grow up – most people don't. It's also alright to take risks and learn from these experiences. If you can, try and get into something that you enjoy and that really enhances your skills so you are able to determine what you like, what you don't and what's important for you."
