You have spent years working towards your degree – now it’s time to put it to use! It is the busiest time of year for graduate recruitment and here at Pursuit, we like to help our graduate candidates ensure they stand out from the crowd in a very competitive market place! We have collated together some advice for those who are actively looking for a new career! Not a graduate? Continue reading! Our tips and advice are just as relevant to you too!
Your Options
Some people may know exactly what they want to do with their degree once they graduate – other’s may not have a clue! Our advice is to spend time researching job roles and industries to ensure you have exhausted all options when it comes to finding your perfect career.
Create a winning CV
It’s never too early to ensure your CV is up to date ready to apply for roles as you see them. The graduate market is competitive so it is important to get the paperwork right to ensure you stand our from the crown. Take a look at our blog to help you write a winning CV.
Get to grips with Cover Letters
We have a fantastic blog post on writing a winning cover letter, just because you have not working experience doesn’t mean your cover letter can’t be top class! Recruiters receive 100s of CVs and therefore a cover letter gives you the opportunity to shout about you!
Tailor your Application – EVERY TIME!
When you apply for a role, it may be your degree won’t have that much relevance to the position that you are interested in. Some may be worried by this – but don’t let this put you off! It doesn’t mean you are unsuitable! Focus on the key transferable skills and areas you feel your strengths lie in response to the requirements of the role. Ensure both your CV and Cover Letter are updated to reflect this. Remember – generic CV’s aren’t winning ones!
Research Companies
You may not know, but there are some fantastic websites available to you that can give you an idea into what employees think of working for specific companies. Glassdoor, for example, is a great tool for this. LinkedIn is also a very powerful tool and somewhere we would recommend you get yourself familiar with! Not only for researching companies but also for applying for new opportunities.
Network!
Keep building on your network! The more people you know, the more likely an opportunity is going to arise! Social Media can help with this – ensure you have a strong LinkedIn profile! LinkedIn is a fantastic way to show the corporate world what you are all about!
Not working? Use the time to get experience!
You never know where unpaid work may lead! Getting work experience will not only open doors for prospective future employers, but it can also give you the chance to trial potential career paths to ensure you are making the right choice! Work experience will also help fill gaps in your CV and also will help you gain invaluable exposure that you can use later on future job applications.
Don’t fear rejection!
You are graduating at the same time as many others across the country which makes it a very competitive market! Don’t be scared of rejection. Embrace it. Ensure you ask for feedback from prospective employers to help shape future applications. Feedback on your application / CV is just as important as feedback following an interview. Take comments on board – and if employers are identifying weakness’ find a way to improve – or balance them with showing your strengths.
Have you registered your details with Pursuit Resources Group? We recruit graduates for some fantastic companies in and around the Essex area!
Whilst we may not always have a live job on our website – don’t let this put you off! We work proactively for many of our clients to identify new talent behind the scenes. We also have a large selection of temp-to-perm opportunities for graduates, especially in HR, Marketing, Finance and Sales positions. Register your details with us today and get in touch to discuss your future career prospects!