The Graduate Jobs Search

Much ink has been spilled over the trials of the graduate job hunt within the current economic climate. It has been made clear to both graduates and employers that no longer is a degree a quick ticket to a well paid job. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a range of ways in which you can make your application stand out and score yourself a top job in the field of your choice. As you begin the job hunt, you should not only be turning your attention to the presentation of your CVs and cover letters, you should also be thinking about proactive ways to add to your range of experience and professional skills and references. So once you’ve made a list of prospective graduate jobs using a comprehensive and reliable search tool such as jobs.guardian.co.uk, why not start making a list of ways to boost your applications? Here are a few of our favourite suggestions:

-          Get work experience. Whether it is for one week or six months, a work experience placement can really give you an edge in the rat race for finding fulfilling graduate employment. Not only will it give you practical and relevant experience in the kind of work that you have chosen to undertake, it will also help to give you a clearer idea of where your strongest skills lie and what you might need to work on, as well as the kinds of positions you feel confident and comfortable applying for.

-          If you are keen to work in the charity sector you will find it hard to get anywhere without at least a few months of voluntary work under your belt. That said, those who don’t necessarily desire to work in not-for-profit will also benefit greatly from volunteering experience. From administrative work to fundraising to face-to-face care and support, showing that you have made an effort to use any period of unemployment in a constructive and instructive manner is a real asset.

-          Be sure to have a range of references to hand. If you have work experience or voluntary placements on your CV, get references from the people who benefitted from your time and energy during your placements. Those with references given by employees and professional supervisors as well as academic officers are more likely to stand out.