Congratulations, you’ve graduated! Three (or more) years of deadlines, reading, exams and coursework and it’s finally all over. Almost 300,000 students start their journey at university across the United Kingdom every single year, but after graduation, life can be difficult. Finishing university can be a confusing time, especially in the times we are living in at the moment, with COVID-19. Reports from the Office for National Statistics says that almost two-thirds of students have experienced a decline in their mental health this academic year and universities have experienced unprecedented levels of demand for mental health services. Research by the graduate jobs website 'Milkround' has shown that just 18% of graduates have secured jobs in 2021 compared with around 60% typically. Many graduates have found themselves unable to secure work experience as most firms withdrew their internships because of the pandemic. Also, this is exacerbated by companies slashing their graduate schemes, which is the first step for many graduates. We know how hard it has been for you this year, so we have put together some help to give you the best possible chance of getting your first career step and moving into more exciting and positive times for the future.
Mental Health
First off, it is essential that your mental health is in good order. If you are suffering then reach out for professional help, life seems so much easier if you have a positive outlook. If you are just feeling a little flat and lacking motivation then have a listen to a podcast that we produced with Sandra Marston an esteemed counsellor and life coach for the past 18 years. Although these two podcasts were about working in the lockdown and motivation, they hold all the information you need to get the best from yourself. We talk about all the big issues, from sleep and exercise to food, meditation and breathing, these two podcasts cover it all so take a listen! Regaining your mojo with motivation and the Survive and prosper In the world of lockdown podcast
All Change
Everything you have grown to know over the past three years seems to have changed dramatically. Now is the time to really have a focus on what you want to do and move towards it in a concise and focused manner! Don’t just apply for every job you see with a generic approach. You will get much better results if you decide where you want to be in terms of the type of job and company you want to work for. What do you feel you would be good at? Do you have any transferable skills? How would you like to start your career? Then craft your CV and covering letter tomarry it to the position you are looking to attain. You should always be tweaking your CV and covering letter to match the position and the company you are applying to. A generic cover all approach will not get you far, you need to look like you are the perfect match for the position, so make sure you put the time in and get this part right! A great start for some tips on CV writing is our blog so head over there after you have read this and take a look.
Bring Focus To It All
You need focus in terms of a job-hunting strategy as well as a focus on what you are saying to a potential employer with written applications and interviews. Talking of interviews, the pandemic has pushed a lot onto video conferencing platforms and even coming out of the pandemic, we are seeing a lot of companies taking advantage of this for the first interview stage. Like everything in life, this is a skill you have to learn to be good at, master this and you will stand a better chance of moving on to a second interview. We have created a guide to give you some top tips on video conferencing interviews, reading through this will be well worth your time. Alternatively if you have a face to face interview then take a look at our comprehensive article , this article has a section about how to handle face to face interviews. Whichever style of interview you have, learn the skills and practice! If you feel nerves will get the better of you in an interview setting then take advantage of this blog on how to overcome these feelings.
Craft Your Story
Graduate employers place emphasis on finding candidates with the right attitude and skills and depending on the sector you choose to work in, there will be specific skills and knowledge needed. So bring all the strands together that may help your situation. Did you do any part-time work that may have been relevant in the past? Have you any blogs you may have written that may be relevant to the sector, no? Well, why not start a blog on the sector you what to work in? What we are trying to say is craft your story around where you what to be so it looks like you would be a great fit for the position. We understand that finding a graduate job can be difficult, especially if you don’t have much experience. But don’t fear - we have listed some essential skills that you should develop to ensure that you can make the best start!
Networking Is Important - Do It
Do you remember when you first got to university and you joined as many societies as you could? You did this to meet more people and make more friends. Networking is exactly like this but in a more professional setting. Regardless of the job you are doing, it’s really important to meet and interact with people from different professional backgrounds – particularly in the industry you want a career in. There are tonnes of networking events all over the UK, and you never know when someone you meet is going to benefit your career choices in the future. Another great tool for networking is LinkedIn, where you can chat and engage with different companies and important people across your industry. Have a look at our LinkedIn guide here to get started.
Digital Awareness
With the development of technology over the past few years, many companies have realised the importance of the digital world. When hiring new employees, companies have an increased focus on graduates that have a deep understanding of social media and the online world. Online developments mean that a company’s digital presence is essential to pushing company branding. Therefore, every graduate should ensure they have an understanding of the basic social media platforms. Even if the career you will be working in is not directly linked to social media, it is still an essential skill in understanding the modern-day makings of today’s working world.
Now, if you are a young graduate we are taking it that you are social savvy, if you are, then heed this warning! According to a 2017 report by 'The Muse,' one in three employers has rejected candidates based on something they found out about them online. YouGov a UK based research agency revealed in 2017 that a huge 36% of UK employers rejected candidates based on their social media profiles. We think it is very safe to say if you are applying for a job in 2021 companies have upped their game in digital screening since 2017, take it for certain that you will be checked! If you don't read anything else, make sure you do read our guide on cleaning up your social media when applying for jobs. this may be the difference between getting your dream start or losing it. On top of that, companies may not tell you it is because of your social presence, so you may never know this has been the issue that has scuppered your chances. Get your social presence in order and don't lose out!
Teamwork And Communication
In any working environment, teamwork is vital. In your first job, you may find that you’re going to be working with different people than you’re used to. At university, you probably lived or studied with a bunch of similar minded people. When you get your first job, you’ll find yourself working with people who are completely different from your mates at uni. Depending on the company or industry you are going into – you might be the youngest and least experienced, chances are you will be working in a team of diverse individuals from different walks of life and therefore, you must be able to develop your ability to work within a team. For many businesses, finding someone who embodies their company culture is vital, and for that, they need people who will be able to work efficiently and effectively within their already established team. This links into the importance of communication skills – you should be able to talk to your peers and superiors efficiently in order to get tasks done whilst embodying the company culture. Although it can be tough, your first job is a great opportunity to get a taste of the working world, you should remember that you are able to learn from every person you meet within your new role.
Self-Motivation
In today’s modern society, there is increased independent working. Although you may be part of a team within a company, you will have your own individual responsibilities. Similar to studying at university, you may not have someone checking in with you all the time so you should be able to work independently to get everything done. With COVID-19 remote working and flexible hours have become very standard, therefore, you should ensure you are motivated enough to be able to work from home while maintaining the same working attitude that you would have if you were working in the office. We have a handy blog on motivation here.
Eager To Learn
As with any job, you must show passion and enthusiasm. When applying for graduate roles, it is important you show companies how eager you are to learn new things to be able to make a difference. The fact you have been to university already shows that you were eager to continue your education and shows that you are a hard worker who is dedicated to learning. Use this to promote your want for more information, to show companies that you are eager to always be learning.
Personality
As we’ve already said, almost 300,000 students go to university every year so you must use your personality to stand out from the 299,999 other candidates. Allow companies to see who you are and show you are unique to everybody else. Companies don’t want to hire just any graduate, they want someone who is interesting with a good personality, knowing they can add something to the team.
Although it can be scary moving from a learning establishment that you love; when you get your first graduate job you will realise how exciting working can be. Just because your time at university has come to an end does not mean that you can’t learn to love something else – you have your whole career ahead of you!
This Job Won’t Be Your Last
It’s not always easy to get a specific job that relates to your degree so if you find yourself in a job that’s not immediately related to what you thought you wanted to do – don’t worry. You may decide to do some temporary work to gain experience and start to build a great CV but whatever job you are doing whether it be to develop skills, gain experience or show you are prepared to do whatever it takes, it will all help you eventually get your dream job. Your career ladder can go as high as you want it to, so consider this as taking a step onto the first rung. You may have to 'kiss a few frogs' before you get your dream job so don’t put pressure on yourself when you start out. In the job market, it’s all about interpersonal skills, attitude and hard work that will set you above the competition, not necessarily who has the best grades. Being able to effectively communicate and show your passion is key.
Ultimately - It’s Up To You
At university, you were pretty much left to your own devices. You were set coursework with deadlines and it was up to you to see your tutor and ask for feedback. Working is no different to this. At the end of the day, the impact you make is completely dependent on you. Show your passion, network, support your company the best you can and make a name for yourself! You have done really well to graduate but you need to understand that your degree isn’t necessarily everything and doesn’t come with any guarantees, you need to work and develop your skillset and knowledge within the working world. This doesn’t mean that just because you’ve graduated, work has to become your life. In fact, you might still go out drinking on a weekend – just make sure your hangovers aren’t taken to work!
Conclusion
This blog will give you an understanding of some of the issues you need to address, but we have deep resources on how to get you a perfect start in your career. We have listed them all below for you, so take a day out of your schedule, read them all and implement them. For this bit of study investment, you will be a more accomplished person at finding and obtaining your dream starting position!
More Resources
If you want to invest in yourself to get the best results, make sure you look at our other blog posts and articles to help you. Start with these two and you will not go wrong! How to Find a Job and our Ultimate Guide to Getting Your Dream Job! Then we have some great shorter blogs on interview techniques below. Have a look at all these and you will be set for any interview! Remember, 'Luck favours the prepared! We wish you all the luck and success with your future!
The Top 10 Interview Questions You Should ALWAYS Prepare For!
Research You Should Consider Before An Interview
Ultimate Guide to Preparing your CV
How To Completely Nail Your Zoom, Skype or any other Video Conferencing Interview!
What questions should you never ask in an interview?
How to Answer the Question: What are your Strengths?
How to Answer the Question: What motivates you at work?
Finding a New Job? - It's Time To Clean Up Your Social Media Presence
Also, remember if you are attending interviews you may get rejected, do not take this personally! A lot of things in life are a numbers game, meaning the more you get rejected the closer you will come to getting the job. It is simple maths, the more you do the better the chance of success. It is a healthy part of the process so read the article below and don't let rejection slow you down!
10 Top Tips for Coping With Those Soul-Destroying Job Rejections!