So, you’ve finally graduated from university and now you’re looking to transition into the workforce. If you’ve been at this stage in life for a while, you might already know that the transition is easier than it sounds.
The workforce continues to become more and more competitive and hence many students find themselves struggling to get a job after uni. Then there’s the age-old problem: you can’t get a job without experience but you can’t get experience until you have a job.
Luckily, there are five things you can improve on to increase your likelihood of achieving your dream graduate job.
1. Work experience
The best way to up your chances of securing your dream job is by gaining experience in your industry. More often than not, students and recent graduates will undertake a paid or unpaid internship.
If you are passionate about working for a particular company, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask whether they have any capacity to take you on as an intern.
Once you have your foot in the door, you’ve got the opportunity to show them what you’ve made of. And if all of the stars align, you might find yourself securing your dream job at that company.
2. Work on your resume
Your resume and cover letter are your golden tickets into the world of full-time work. These two concise documents give you the chance to emphasise why you deserve the position over anyone else.
Of course, most employers are run off their feet and don’t have time to reach each and every application from start to finish, so there is an art to grabbing their attention. Do research into the industry you’re applying for and get an idea of what your employer might be looking for in a resume.
You can find some helpful tips in this article: How to write a great resume.
3. Practice for interviews
Interviews can be terrifying no matter how many you’ve been to in the past. A good way to calm the nerves is to know exactly what you’re going to say and approach it with confidence.
You might find it helps to print out some practice questions and ask a friend or family member to interview you. The more you practice the questions, the better of a response you will have when the time comes.
You might also like to check out: How to excel at your next job interview.
4. Speak to a careers advisor
Whether you’re still at uni or you’ve graduated already, you shouldn’t have any issues finding a knowledgeable careers advisor. It’s their job to guide you on your journey into the workforce.
Ask them for relevant advice on how to get a job after uni, the best interview tips and feedback on your resume. Don’t be afraid to ask them any questions on the best jobs to apply for or talk through any lingering fears. They’re there to help!
5. Ask for references
After you’ve nailed your first interview, the next step will be for your employer to find out more about you through your references.
It’s always best to include at least two professional references. However, if you don’t have previous work experience, consider asking your professors with whom you have a good relationship to write you a reference letter.
Don’t worry if you can’t find a job immediately after uni. Once you’ve gained some experience, polished your resume and nailed your interview, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your dream graduate job.