Congratulations! You’ve battled the assignments, coursework and exams to complete your university course and can now officially call yourself a Graduate. But, what's next?

The next step is to find your dream job within your chosen industry, by encouraging employers that they’ve found the right person for their role in you.

With thousands of students graduating this year, there may be a great deal of competition, and landing your first job after university can seem like finding a needle in a haystack. However, with the right guidance, you’ll put yourself in front of the competition and be working before you know it.

 

Stand out from the crowd – think quality not quantity!

Carefully tailored job applications are more likely to get you an interview than applying a generic CV to every job. Make sure you do your research on the company or position in order to tailor your skills and knowledge, and most importantly, take your time with every application.

 

 

Experience

A CV with no experience is like a car with no engine, it doesn’t work. Experience is a necessity for any job application and can be picked up through unpaid work experience, internships, part-time and full-time work. You need to show and prove to employers that you have the know-how to do the job and complete the tasks they require of you to a high standard. Gaining experience, along with your current qualifications, is the only way to show this, so use this time wisely to develop these essential workplace skills.

 

Network

Social media has become popular over the last 10 years with Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn leading the way. Not only are these great for keeping in contact with friends and family, but they provide you with an opportunity to network with companies and recruiters. An updated profile on LinkedIn will make you stand out from the crowd. Use keywords within your industry, and sell yourself through your experience and knowledge so your potential employers know that you mean business.

 

Careers service

Contact your local Job Centre, university careers help service, or your local recruitment agencies will provide you with hints and tips on updating your CV and interview skills. They will help you find the best place for current graduate positions in your area.