Graduates: Tips on how to secure your first job

1.      Research, Research, Research- it is vital that you research all aspects of the job and company/ organisation that you are applying to. You need to read the job description carefully and assess the qualities and skills that they are looking for. Be knowledgeable on all aspects of the job. Apply for the job that really interests you and that matches your skills and competencies. You are better to make 10 excellent job applications than 50 half hearted ones. Majority of Graduates only spend on average 30 mins researching the company when in fact you should be spending 2/ 3 days.

2.      Know the key employability skills – There are 9 key skills that all employers seek in employees. These are Communication, I.T., Problem Solving, Entrepreneurial, Resilience, Business Awareness, Numeracy, Self- Management and Team Working. Be aware of these, include a few of them on your mini personal statement section of your CV. Be able to provide evidence at interview of how you have demonstrated these skills in the past. Give examples.

3.      Spend time on your CV – Employers spend on average 6 seconds skimming through your CV. It must be clear, concise and stand out. Find your niche and develop it in the statement section. This is your passport into the job interview.

4.      Think outside the box – your first job does not have to be your dream job. You will be working for approx. 50 years. Your first job is your first start on the job ladder. Think of it more in terms of CV and skills building that is going to get you your dream job eventually. It is a process, and it takes time. It will give you experience and make you more employable for future jobs as you progress on the jobs ladder.

5.      Give yourself sufficient time to apply for suitable jobs. – Don’t rush the application. It is a full- time job sourcing job opportunities and applying. Take your time and do it well. Make sure the jobs you are applying for are relevant to your skills, knowledge and qualities.

6.      Prepare, prepare, prepare – allow yourself sufficient time to prepare for interview. Many interviews are now competency based and you must be able to understand them and provide key examples of your experiences to date. This can all be prepared. Hollywood Actor George Clooney has been turned down for 99% per cent of acting roles of which he has screen tested for. He spends on average 4/5 days preparing for a 5 min screen test. You must commit to preparing yourself properly if you are serious about the job.

7.      Put yourself in the interviewer shoes – take a step back and think like the interviewer, the interviewer has a huge responsibility in selecting the right person for the job. You need to think about where they are coming from and what do they expect from you. This gives you insight and helps you prepare in a more effective manner.

8.      Network – speak to others who may be in the job or work for the company, find out as much as you can.

9.      Social Media – make sure your social media accounts are clean and suitable for employers to cast their eye over as they will! An account that depicts a party animal will not look good in a future employers eyes.

10.  Email Address counts – also make sure that your email address reads in a professional and mature way.