Over the summer, students across the UK put on their mortarboards and gowns to officially graduate after years of hard work. There’s no denying that your graduation day is a big one. An achievement that you’ve worked towards your whole life and a day of parents and loved ones looking at you with teary eyes and a fiercely proud look.
Now that’s all over, the reality of finding a job should be starting to sink in. While there’s no harm in enjoying some relaxation time, now’s the time to step up the search to find work. A simple Google search of the sector you’re looking to work in will pull up numerous jobs ads, it’s important that you don’t just apply for anything and everything as it’s likely that this will be reflected in your lack of enthusiasm during the recruitment process.
While you can’t be expected to be appointed chief executive of a national company straight away - or even any time in the near future - landing a job you love as a graduate is possible. You just need to know where to look and how to apply yourself. Here we suggest five ways to help you land your dream job.
Craft a Strong CV
Contact Information: Clearly display your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile at the top.
Professional Summary: A brief statement highlighting your career goals and key skills, tailored to the job you’re applying for.
Education: List your degrees, institutions, and graduation dates. Include relevant coursework, honours, and awards.
Experience: Detail your work experience, including internships and volunteer work. Use bullet points to highlight achievements and responsibilities.
Skills: Include both hard and soft skills relevant to the job. This could be technical skills, language proficiency, or soft skills like teamwork and communication.
Certifications and Training: Mention any additional qualifications that are relevant to the job.
References: You can note that references are available upon request or include contact details of references.
Customise your CV for each job application to reflect the skills and experiences relevant to the specific role. Keep your CV to two pages maximum. Use bullet points and concise language additionally, if you have any achievements you can quantify, use these figures to showcase your impact in a previous role and finally make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
Attend Networking Events
Finding Events can be difficult, we suggest taking a look at the following to find an event suitable for you.
Eventbrite: A platform for finding local and industry-specific events.
Industry Associations: Join associations related to your field to access exclusive events and meetups.
University Alumni Networks: Many universities host networking events for recent graduates.
Professional Conferences: Attend conferences to meet key players in your industry.
Networking effectively is important, make sure you research attendees and speakers beforehand. Have a clear idea of who you want to connect with and what you want to achieve. Prepare a brief introduction about yourself and what you’re looking for and don't forget to ask insightful questions and show genuine interest in others’ work. Exchange contact information and follow up with an email or LinkedIn request, referencing your conversation to reinforce the connection.
Utilise Social Media
LinkedIn is used by the majority of business professionals, make sure you follow the steps below to ensure potential employers notice your LinkedIn:
Ensure your profile includes a professional photo, headline, summary, and detailed experience.
Send personalised connection requests. Mention how you know the person or why you want to connect.
Share articles, comment on posts, and participate in discussions to increase your visibility.
Stay updated on job openings and company news.
Seek Advice and Information
Use LinkedIn or university alumni networks to find professionals in your target industry. Send a polite message requesting a brief meeting to learn more about their career path and insights into the industry, ask about their career journey, essential skills, industry trends, and any advice they have for newcomers. Be Respectful of time, keep the meeting short and make sure you thank them for their time and insights. You can also use industry blogs, publications, webinars and online courses to stay updated with the latest trends and news.
Post-Interview
After an interview, politely ask the recruiter or interviewer for feedback on your performance., ask about specific aspects of the interview, such as your responses, demeanor, and any areas for improvement. Use the feedback to refine your interview techniques and job applications. If you wish to practice your interview skills so that the real thing seems less daunting use family, friends or career services if they would hold a mock interview.
If you're aiming for a career in specialised sectors like Food, Fresh Produce, Horticulture, Agriculture, or Garden & Leisure, MorePeople can provide tailored advice and support for these industries. You can email info@morepeople.co.uk or call 01780 480530 to discuss your CV and career path with a specialist.
