6 top tips for finding the perfect job after graduation
Advertising and Digital Marketing students Daniel, Serhat, and Kieran told us their best ways to find that all-star job after graduation.
- Work Experience
This is a no-brainer. On top of your degree, you’re going to need some serious work experience and social skills behind you, and you should start as soon as you begin your time at University.
Whether you’re planning on doing a placement year, or simply bugging your local businesses for a week of work experience, DO IT! Working for free doesn’t sound too appealing, but trust me, it will help you in the future. If you’re offered money for your work because you were just that amazing, bonus!
2. Unitemps
Unitemps specialises in part-time recruitment for students and is the ideal place to visit if you’re looking for an income to balance out those uni outgoings, as well as build some experience. They’re extremely friendly and helpful and will support you with any application or CV help you require.
Make use of the on-campus Unitemps as much as possible. Although those six assignments due in three months’ time may be causing a lot of stress, if you manage your time right, you can earn a bit of extra money.
3. Changemaker Hub
Are you looking to add something worthwhile to your CV? Or just struggling with the social skills that are needed during application processes? Well, the Changemaker Hub will be the ideal place for you.
The Changemaker programme will allow you the chance to take a problem that is effecting to world and discover a solution through your own social venture. This could mean creating your own business, or discovering a new method of working that will change people’s points of view.
As a graduate of the programme, you will be internationally recognised by Ashoka U as a Chagemaker who has the initiative to problem solve and has community in mind. It’s a completely free service, and has helped so many UoN students to find the right path for them, so why not make use of it?
4. Discover your ideal job.
This seems obvious, but its more common than not. Everyone wants to be happy in their job, even if it’s just a kick-start early in their career, so make sure you avoid sending a CV to a company or industry you have no interest in!
To find the right job for you, choose the specific job title and industry you’re interested in, and then search, search, search! But, make sure you are using different search engines; websites like Indeed and Reed are extremely good for narrowing down your search, but keep an eye on actual company websites and other smaller search engines to ensure you don’t miss out on your dream job!
5. All-star applications
Application forms can be very long and time-consuming, but they get you the job! So, if you’ve found the job you’d love, but sigh when you see the long application process, don’t worry. One popular tip is to take time out from it; start the application, save it, go back to it when you’re ready to. That way you stay fresh and focused on acing it!
When writing your application, there are some key things to do in order to make it the best. The most important is to sell yourself, make yourself stand out from the other candidates, tell them why you deserve the job over the rest! Also, make sure you research the company before you apply so that you can really impress them with your knowledge.
7. Perfect Interviews
Finally, and probably the most dreaded of all is the interview process. If you’ve followed the tips above and aced the application, then the interview is the only thing standing in your way of that dream job. However, they can be extremely nerve-wracking, so here’s some tips on how to deal with it expertly:
· Print off your proudest piece of work and take it to the interview with you; it gives you a great conversation starter and displays exactly what you are capable of.
· Research the company and the interviewer to know exactly who you are speaking to and what’s going to impress them.
· Be confident and friendly, and you’ll absolutely smash it!
Do you need extra help with your job search, or have any more tips for us? Give us a follow and let us know on Twitter on #UoN and @uninorthants
