7 Tips for Getting a Graduate Job in London
By Sophie-Anne Bradley, from StudentJob.co.uk
London is a huge city with a vast amount of opportunities, but the competition between applicants is fiercely high, with candidates battling for the top jobs. However, there are some steps that you can take to ensure that you are ready to take on the competition.
#1 Research, Research, Research
It is essential that you research the job role that you want. Do you have the right skill set and knowledge to work in that job area? Is there any extra experience you need? What can you bring to that role? These are all questions to consider when looking for a particular job position. From this research you will be able to identify the job area you want to get into, any positions you want to avoid and will help you with the next step…
#2 Perfecting your CV and Cover Letter
Perfecting your CV and Cover Letter
Your CV and Cover Letter are what the prospective organisation are going to see of you first. This will create their first impression of you so it is important that you take time and plant what you want to include. Key headings to include in your CV are as followed:
- Education – how the subjects that you have studied will help you in your career
- Job history – what have you learnt from your past careers, what skills can you bring forward to this new job role
- Skills – what skills do you have and how can you apply them to the job role
- Favourite hobbies – what do you like to do in your past time and does this relate to the job?
- Key achievements – any awards that you have won, any personal goals you have reached
Your cover letter is an opportunity to tell the organisation exactly why you are best for the job. Make sure that you thoroughly read the job description and acknowledge each of the key requirements and give examples of how your experience can apply to the role. Be passionate in your cover letter, make sure you stand out, and tell them why you should get the role over other candidates. This is your time to shine!
#3 Sign up to job sites
Sign Up to Job Alerts
By signing up to job sites you will be notified when jobs in your desired sector become available and you will never miss any of the new vacancies. It may also make you aware of a wider variety of roles that have previously gone undiscovered. Check out the best UK student job sites and sign up to BrokeinLondon’s job alerts.
For Part Time or Full Time jobs in London, head over to studentjob.co.uk and if you have any questions or queries, send them to info@studentjob.co.uk
#4 Network!
Does your university or college have networking events? If so, there is no harm attending them, it will only result in something positive for you. The old saying still applies ‘sometimes it isn’t what you know but who you know’. Even starting up a conversation with someone in the industry will help you and they might be able to offer you advice. Using sites like LinkedIn can also help you to network and identify those who are influential in your industry.
Make us of every connection you have, no matter how big or small!
#5 Utilise Social Media
Using Social Media for your job searcg
Social media is the new way to network. There are many platforms online where you can demonstrate your skills for prospective employers to view.
Show off your photography skills on Instagram, your interior design on Pinterest, your travelling experiences on BlogSpot. There is a social platform for you to showcase almost any skill!
Just be mindful about what you put online and only upload what you would want your future boss to see!
#6 Practise your Interview Technique
Before a job interview
If you are one of the lucky candidates that gets an interview it is essential that you are well prepared for any question that the interviewer fires at you!
Make sure you gave studied the job description and know the tasks that would be required of you if you were successful in getting the role. Also, make sure you research the company and the industry in which they operate, as this is likely to impress the interviewer. It may also be beneficial to have some questions prepared that you want to ask the employer at the end of the interview as this will prove that you are eager to learn and have a genuine interest in the organisation. Get insight into what employers look for during job interviews here.
