Our top tips for graduate job search!
Trying to find your first job after university can be really daunting and difficult to manage so we have put together some helpful tips to help support you through the process!
Take your time
Don’t feel rushed into going straight out and jumping into the first role you can find. Its perfectly normal to want a bit of a break after finishing University- you have spent the last 3 years partying..ehm…working very hard, after all. You can take time out for something like a gap year to do some travelling or just a couple of weeks to get your head around starting your job search and what you might be interested in pursuing.
Either way- you might want/need to make some money in the meantime! Temp work is an amazing opportunity not only to make some cash but also to get some experience in different workplace environments and job roles which will help give you a feel for what you might be interested in applying for on the permanent side. It will also boost your CV experience and skills! Win, win, win.
If you are interested in signing up to our temp register, please email your CV in to us at info@reddoorrecruitment.co.uk
Make sure that any significant break you take is purposeful because when you do come to applying for jobs, big gaps on your CV might put off employers.
Routine
You should create a routine to manage your time when you are job hunting. It is worth dedicating time to the process but spending your entire day staring at an endless sea of job ads can be draining. You should organise your day so you have allotted slots for what you have to do. Schedule time to search for jobs, fill in applications, write cover letters and tailor your CV for different roles.
You also need to schedule in breaks, exercise and time to do other stuff like pursuing different hobbies, or seeing friends. Job hunting is like having a job in itself so as with any other job you have to maintain a work life balance.
Your approach could need adjusting
There is a balance to be struck between how many jobs you apply for and how much time you invest in each application. You may find that applying for as many jobs as possible but not taking the time to submit tailored and purposeful applications, may not be getting you very far. You might find more success in prioritising which roles you really want to apply for and writing really strong applications for those. Having said that, you might find it works the other way round! The point is, that whatever your initial approach is, it may need adjusting as you go along depending on what response you are getting from applications.
Don’t let rejection get you down
Rejections are bread and butter in the job application process. You have to consider how many applicants there are for any one job, how many CVs recruiters look through and even at interview stage; there will be multiple applicants for the same one job. It can be really discouraging to face rejections or even no response at all to your job applications but you need to adjust your perspective to accept that it is simply a part of the process and eventually you will get that YES!
Be flexible but have an idea of your requirements
When looking for your first job post-graduation, the best approach is definitely open mindedness. But it would be helpful to have a ballpark idea of the kind of thing you are looking for! Try and research what roles or industries you are really interested in and best suit your skill set!
You should also have a rough salary in mind that you would be looking for; as a fresh grad you need to be realistic but it can helpful in guiding your search. Don’t just pick a number out of thin air though; do your research as to what would be an expected rate for someone with your experience in the types of roles you are applying for.
Consider spending time boosting employability
A job search can be a lengthy process and while you are undertaking it, you might consider spending some time actively improving your CV with online skills courses or again, temp work!
Be an active LinkedIn member but look at your other socials
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and showcases all of your achievements. Most recruiters use it as a research tool but it is also a useful platform for you when searching for job opportunities or companies you might want to work with!
Whilst in this case social media can be a positive, you need to be mindful of your other social media platforms; what you are posting and your privacy settings as many a job applications have been circumvented by a dodgy Instagram picture.
Get your CV on job sites
Make sure you have uploaded a good general CV up on all the job boards; Reed, Total Jobs, Indeed and CV Library are a few examples. Make sure your CV is completely up to date and all your contact details are correct.
Sign up with agencies!!
Last and possibly most importantly; SIGN. UP. WITH. AGENCIES. This is such an easy thing you can do to boost your job search. It costs you nothing to register with an agency and there will be a whole team of expert recruiters keeping an eye out for job opportunities for you!
So pop us over your CV today and let us help you with your search! Email us at info@reddoorrecruitment.co.uk
We can’t wait to hear from you!