Job Search — Post University

OK so you have spent the last four or more years getting your degree so that you can land that dream job / career now the time has come where you need to enter the working world.

Don’t fall in to the trap that the world owes you a living and that the job will just fall your way.

Instead look at it in the same way that you do your studies. It is basically another assignment that you need to pass so you will need to follow the same processes:

• Research the position / positions you are interested in.
• Research the companies you would like to work for.

• Careers service.
• Graduate careers fairs..
• Employment agencies.
• Search the internet (milkround.co.uk).
• Newspapers.
• Friends / family members.

Look at placements / voluntary work.

• Doing voluntary work or placements will help you demonstrate to a potential employer that you have the skills necessary.

Apply:

• CV / Covering Letter:
  • Your CV & Covering letter are your first introduction to a potential employer. Remember first impressions count.
  • Get advice on how to write a CV – Careers office / friends etc.

Click the links to view advice on how to write a CV and Cover Letter..

• Curriculum Vitae Writing.
• Cover letter Writing.

Job Application forms:

• Tips:
  • Read the form-
    • Common mistakes include:
      • The form requires you to fill it in black ink only and you use blue.
      • The form requires you to fill it in using BLOCK CAPITALS and you use lower case.
      • Remember for every job applicant there can be hundreds if not thousands of job applications, so don’t give them a reason not to read yours just by not using the correct colour ink.
      • Write your answers on a separate sheet first.
      • Write clearly and neatly.
      • Check spelling and grammar.
      • If they ask for work experience, put your most recent first and work backwards (unless it asks you to do it in chronological order). This will help them find the most relevant information first.
      • Same applies to education.
      • Have two references ready: one should be from work or education.

Interviews:

• Remember that interviews are a two way process and you are effectively interviewing them at the same time, this should help you relax more.
• A good interviewer will try and make you relax, this isn’t something to worry about they are just trying to get you to perform better.


• Tips:
  • Do your research on the company and position.
  • Be well dressed.
  • Be early (Do a pre-run to the location the day before if possible).
  • First Impressions – Handshake –Pleasant Smile – Direct Eye contact.
  • Try to be clear and confident (don’t try and be superior, it will come across as cocky rather than confident).
  • Try to give positive remarks and avoid negative comments, unless you can back it up with a positive.
  • Ask a few questions and say why you think you are suitable to the position.
  • Remember that the questions you ask will help you decide if you want to work for them.
  • Ask when you might get a response / hear if you have been successful for the position.
  • Don’t worry if your mind goes blank in an interview and you can’t think of a question. Good interviewers will provide you with their contact details if you think of any other questions afterwards.
  • Thank them for their time at the end of the interview.

After the interview:

• If you’re unsuccessful don’t dwell on it think what can I learn from the experience. Ask the interviewer for feedback (Some will provide / not all) this will help you improve.
• Don’t be afraid to realise that the only reason you’re not getting the job is due to experience. Think how I can get that experience you might need to lower your slights slightly in order to get into that company / position. So maybe try for the position below and work your way up from within.