I’ve Graduated… Now What? A Practical Guide to Finding Your First Job

One of the most frustrating aspects of successfully completing a degree is the search for a job afterwards. It can be difficult to know where to start when you leave University, and you might feel completely lost. These feelings are natural and very common. If you are feeling overwhelmed when searching for a new job after graduation, these are some tips for how to secure your first job in the sector you are interested in.

Professional CV

The first step before starting your job search is to make sure you have a top notch CV. It is more beneficial to get a professional CV created to give you the best chance of success when looking for a new role. A professionally designed CV will highlight your main attributes and will focus on transferable skills you have gained from other jobs and University.

Enhance your LinkedIn Profile

It is also important to be visible on LinkedIn, as this is the main platform you will use for building a network and following up on your applications. If possible, this should also be professionally done so that you are hitting all the right keywords to help recruiters find you.

Compile a List of Companies

Make a list of companies that you are interested in applying to, you may also want to do a search for companies that offer graduate schemes. Take a look at their website and see whether they are hiring and what vacancies they have which you can apply to.

Apply for Jobs

Use job sites such as Indeed and CV library to find jobs to apply for. You can also apply for jobs on LinkedIn and various other sites. You may also want to register with recruitment agencies within your industry.

Network

LinkedIn is your best friend when applying for jobs after University, as it allows you to connect with the decision makers. Although it may seem time consuming, you should connect with the decision maker (director, HR or recruitment) for every job you apply for and follow up on your application. If you receive a rejection letter, ask them to provide more details as this can help with your future job search. If there are specific companies you like but they don’t currently have vacancies, connect with them on LinkedIn and let them know you are searching for a new job.

At Inspired CVs, we provide one to one coaching services to help you with your career journey. You can order your one to one consultation here or contact us to find out more about our services. We also provide professional CVs, tailored to suit your career goals.