JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018 - 57

G R A D UAT E S

1 Use your university
While you are still at university make the most of its careers
service. It should be able to help you with information
about relevant employers and their graduate schemes -
and, crucially, how to present yourself in the best possible
light. Careers sessions are compulsory at some universities
and most will hold careers fairs (or "milk rounds") where
students have the opportunity to meet representatives from
organisations offering graduate recruitment programmes.
Make contact with your careers service as soon as you
can, be proactive and cultivate a can-do attitude to help
set you apart from your peers with equally good grades.

2 Research - and show passion
Is there a particular company you really want
to work for? Take a look at the "About us"
page on its website to get a feel for the
company culture and the kind of people it
typically hires, making sure you echo those
values when applying for any positions.
If you're passionate about a particular
aspect of the industry, show it. It may be a
simple app you've designed, a passion for
photography or a successful Instagram feed,
but it demonstrates you have a genuine love
for it and that you're a proactive self-starter.

Find out which companies
offer paid work experience
or find a part-time job that
will fund voluntary work
3 Get work experience

WORDS CLAIRE LAVELLE IMAGES SHUTTERSTOCK

Recruiters like to see work experience. In fact, according to
research group High Fliers, more than one-third of recruiters
say that graduates with no work experience are unlikely to
be successful during the selection process for top employers'
graduate programmes.
Find out which companies offer paid work experience or
internships, or find a part-time job that will fund voluntary work
in the sector you're hoping to break into.

4 Polish your CV

5 Get connected

Your CV must be professional and
succinct. Be specific about why you
are applying for your preferred role
and back this up by briefly citing
any relevant projects and outcomes.
Make sure you sell your potential
- this is especially important when
you don't have much experience.
Remember, too, that while there's
always a place for a paper CV, digital
portfolios are becoming more common,
especially in the media and creative
industries. A short introduction via
video filmed on your smartphone
shows initiative, creativity and
demonstrates aptitude for a clientfacing role, for example - as long
as it's appropriate to the sector.

Join LinkedIn, follow your dream
organisations on Twitter, join online mailing
lists so you get a heads up on upcoming
events, or find a unique angle on the industry
"from the outside looking in" and offer to
write a blog for a company's website.
Consider what your social media feeds say
about you and amend accordingly. Recruiters
will look at them and will rethink hiring
decisions if they don't like what they see.

6 Think small
Start-ups can offer a huge range of
diversity and are often far more nimble
in their approach to recruiting than huge
corporations, plus you're more likely to get
hands-on experience across every facet
of the industry. Be prepared to muck in.

J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 5 7



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018

http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/jcspring2018
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/JobsandCareersAutumn2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2017
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/Careers/Careers_with_Hayley_Taylor_2011
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com