19 Apr 10 10 Skills Graduate Recruiters Look For
When going into any interview, it is important to know what your recruiter is looking for. For graduates, there are several qualities that the recruiter will want to see.
1. Commitment – When you are being interviewed, the first thing a graduate recruiter will be looking for is your willingness to commit to the role. They are asking themselves, ‘Does he/she have the drive?’ and ‘Will they apply themselves wholeheartedly to the role?’
2. Self-improvement – Graduate recruiters want to see how you will be able to learn, adapt and improve as an employee of their company or institution. Your capacity for self-improvement means your results will improve and thus the company. For this reason, mention something in an interview that you feel is a personal weakness but make sure you flip this into a positive point by saying how keen you are to improve this area. For example, if you are looking for a graduate job, say your weakness is that you have little or no experience in a full-time work environment, but that you are highly adaptable and quick to learn.
3. Leadership –Graduate jobs recruiters are looking to see whether you have leadership skills, even if they will not be employed at first but at a later date with promotions secured.
4. Problem solving – The infamous psychometric tests are the measurement for your problem solving skills. So get practicing, there are many websites that offer free mock psychometric and verbal reasoning tests.
5. Teamwork – Like leadership, this is something you should try to stress on your CV. Working as part of a team is absolutely essential to virtually all graduate jobs out there so you need to be able to explain, and preferably demonstrate, how capable you are at this.
6. Articulation – This is measured by your interview technique. When you are answering a question, the interviewer is not just wanting to hear the correct answer but also how well you explain that answer. Furthermore, if your role requires written work you may be asked to complete an exercise of some sorts such as writing a dummy article. Obviously in this case, your written communications skills are vital.
7. Trustworthiness – This is a little harder to prove simply in an interview but, as you would guess, is an absolutely essential quality to possess. Good ways to demonstrate trustworthiness is with past work experience, for example you may say that you worked in a pub and were left alone whilst the landlord went out or were given large amounts of cash to take up to head office when you worked at a department store.
8. Autonomy – Graduate job positions are much different from past work experience you may have had. They require you to be autonomous as well as just following orders. Give examples of how creative, analytical and independently minded you are in order to demonstrate your ability to be autonomous.
9. Politeness – This may go without saying but showing good manners in the way you sit, say goodbye and shake hands can make the difference between getting a job and not.
10. Confidence – Above all be confident. Confident in yourself, how you are coming across and how capable you are of fulfilling the graduate job. If you do not believe in yourself then the graduate recruiter definitely will not. Stay calm, smile, if the interviewer has a little joke or chat with you respond in the same manner (although don’t go too far!) Remember that confidence is evidence of capability.
Graduates can find and apply for graduate jobs from the directory of graduate recruiters recruiting now and throughout the year, made available at graduate-jobs.com.
12 Apr 10 Job Hunting During a Recession
With the general election now set for the 6th May and each party promising to lift Britain out of the economic crisis with quite opposing methods, it looks unlikely that we will be completely unaffected by the recession for a while. Consequently, graduate job hunting in such hard times could still pose a problem to graduates of 2010.
The effect that the economy’s crash has had on the job market should not be underestimated either. Unemployment rates in general, amongst 18-26 year olds and amongst graduates are still at all time highs despite the government announcing our official departure from the recession. They are after-effects young graduates will be feeling for some time to come – currently, graduate job hunting is tough!
Yet, it is not impossible; there are graduate job vacancies out there, but more people are applying to each respective vacancy. To be successful in your graduate job hunt in a recession means a small alteration to the plan of attack.
People tell you that job hunting can be demoralising and in a recession this is doubly true. Even if you are unaware of it, you may start getting bored with the whole process and persuading yourself that it’s a futile process. Obviously, it is not futile at all, in fact the alternative of not applying is what is pointless, but after your first couple of weeks of applying nine to five and not hearing as much as a whisper back, the argument seems to get very persuasive.
On that note, I must also mention that graduate job hunting nine ‘til five is the only way to approach this if you want to get that dream career – you must treat job hunting like a job itself. Furthermore, job applying is not merely a process of clicking ‘Apply’ on every job advertisement that takes your fancy. Most require a small essay, of about five hundred words, be it about yourself, your skills or a sample piece of work.
For example, if you are applying for a job as a TV reporter then they will often ask you for a piece of criticism about a certain television programme. This is part of the screening process that employers use in order to sort the wheat from the chaff and if you are not putting time and effort into each application then you will be considered chaff fairly quickly.
However, this is a good thing though because it allows you to really set yourself apart from the other applicants. The applications that bear fruit or at least an interview are the ones where you put enthusiastic effort into the screening questions, covering letter and CV.
The persistence of this peak effort is the key to graduate job hunting success during the recession. This takes a lot of mental strength; surveys have reported that minor depression, feelings of isolation and family related problems are all common in graduates who have been searching for jobs in the past year. However, if you are feeling any or all of those symptoms try to push it to one side or use it as a driving motive to apply whole heartedly and get that job that you want. The payoff you will receive once you sign that acceptance form will be overwhelming and you’ll wonder why you ever doubted your abilities.
Updated daily with graduate job vacancies, graduate-jobs.com should be your first port of call after completing your degree. To find and apply for the latest graduate jobs, visit graduate-jobs.com.
Tags: graduate job vacancies, Graduate jobs, graduate-jobs.com
12 Apr 10 Travelling During a Gap Year
For many, after they have graduated and the celebrations end lurks the question, “so what now?” Hunting for a graduate job immediately is not always the answer, depending on your situation and the alternative graduate opportunity of taking a gap year out and travelling can not only be quite appealing but sometimes the better option.
Is travelling the right option for me?
The answer to this depends on various factors such as your personal, financial and current employment situation. For example, if you have the opportunity of an internship during the summer then it is probably not the best idea to go jet setting around the world; the internship will prove to be a more valuable experience in the job market and will not always be available, whereas the world will! Similarly, if you are looking rather financially modest at the moment, like many graduates are, then a gap year is out of the question and finding a graduate job is essential.
Is travelling looked upon positively by employers?
Alternatively, you may have had a part time job whilst at University and have some surplus cash saved up that could help fund a year of travelling. If this is the case and you possess the travel bug then such an option would be a great graduate opportunity. Graduate employers do look at travelling positively – it shows that a person has drive, the ability to work well in other cultures and environments and the confidence to explore alien avenues that others may be too afraid to.
However, when mentioning travelling to a prospective employer, be it in a CV or an interview, make sure to elaborate on the activities you took part in whilst abroad. These do not all have to be work or academically based (although these should not be omitted by any means), for example if you took part in sporting activities such as hikes, camping or white water rafting, highlight these. The more that you state how active you were whilst you were abroad the better it reflects upon you and your motivation.
Where should I go?
This is entirely up to you and based upon where you have an interest in the culture, history and opportunities. With that said, if your interests lead you to places that could be potentially dangerous then make sure you thoroughly research how safe you are going to be. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has information on countries that are considered dangerous, as does the US Department of State. Even if you plan to go to relatively safe and culturally familiar place, it is imperative that you do you research beforehand in order to have the best time possible, even if that means just checking out where the best bars are!
All in all, going travelling during a gap year is a fantastic graduate opportunity that should be taken advantage of if your current situation lends itself to the idea. It looks radiant on your CV and could open a lot of doors in the employment field, and in the current economic climate most graduates need all the doors open they can afford. But above all, it is a truly life enriching experience that is great fun!
Once you have completed your travels you can explore graduate opportunities and apply for the latest graduate jobs at graduate-jobs.com.
Tags: Graduate jobs, graduate opportunities, graduate-jobs.com
01 Apr 10 Graduate Interview Technique
Graduate Interviews are infamous for their gut-wrenching, adrenaline enticing and sweat proliferating nature – and so they should be! It is a passage of life that we all have to walk down, and most likely multiple times in our lives. Moreover, it is where you must be calm and collected in order to be the most presentable and, as many who have already had the experience will know, this isn’t always too easy.
Whether you are in desperate need of some heave-ho in the old charisma department or you just would like a few basic tips on the interview process, this article will help you reach the level of confidence that will fuel your journey to success with a few brief and simple tips.
The art of interviews is to be relaxed but not so relaxed that you come across as disinterested in the role. Remain calm when you are waiting in the reception, do not start worrying about whether you will get the graduate job, if they will like you or the implications of not getting the job. These are thoughts you must suppress because they make you nervous. Besides, it is ridiculous to worry about such things because if you think about it, they are all things that will sort themselves out if you just stay calm, and focus on the task at hand, not the outcome.
On the flip side, you should be preparing by playing out the possible circumstances of the interview, over in your head in the waiting room. Bear in mind though, that this can lead to your adrenaline soaked brain to start making up bizarre scenarios that if you were thinking normally, you would realise are ridiculous; try to contain these thoughts.
When you meet the prospective employer all you have to do is be polite. Shake hands firmly but don’t give them blood blisters, talk to them, ask them how their day has been but don’t start talking your head off, this is a clear sign of anxiety. Legend has it that an employer knows whether they are going to hire a person within five seconds of meeting them. This is true to an extent; they probably know when they are not going to hire them within that time frame if the person is not polite or alternatively, comes across nervous and overly-talkative. But not even the most charming people are ever given a graduate job just by walking in the door and saying, “Hello”. They will simply remain on the ‘potentials’ list until they really sell themselves.
This brings us to the next subject, selling yourself. Sounds degrading, doesn’t it? Think about it though, this is the only time that you are meant to boast, and don’t be afraid. For example, when asked why you would be good at talking to clients and securing a sale, do not say that you believe you have good social skills, say that you do have good social skills.
Finally, the main source of all the fear that surrounds a graduate interview – thinking on your feet. This is more an art than science but the golden rule is not to panic when that little voice in your head says, “Oh, I wasn’t expecting him/her to ask that!” That’s fine, interviewers don’t expect you to know what they were going to ask. They are gauging how quickly you can respond in unfamiliar territory. So simply give a calm, collective and honest answer.
As you can see, the interview process is all about those goldilocks zones of not too much and not too little. Answering with detail but not rambling, being calm but not uncharismatic. The ground rule though, is not to worry. Worry is a natural mechanism to make your brain realise implications of choices, however it can do more damage than good sometimes and therefore should be controlled.
If you follow these simple rules, you should be sailing through graduate interviews and jetting along the road to that dream career
Find more information and brush up on graduate interview techniques to tackle graduate jobs interviews on graduate-jobs.com.
Tags: graduate interview, Graduate jobs
30 Mar 10 How to Create an Outstanding Graduate CV
Landing a job has always been fairly tough and in recent times, with more people applying for fewer positions, it has become even tougher. The advent of the internet has meant that job applications have become less personal. For the most part, gone are the days where one strolled into an office and asked if they could apply for the vacancy on offer. Nowadays, this will usually be met with the reply, “Of course you can, just apply online…bye!”
Unfortunately you cannot rely on that natural charm to land you the job, at least not until the interview. To stand out, you must have a radiant CV that sets you aside from the hundreds of applicants. Graduate CV writing is the key to getting that foot in the door and being invited to come along to an interview.
So, how do you create such a graduate CV? Well, the two key elements are content and presentation. This may sound obvious, but it is invariably a fault in one or both of these categories that lets a CV down.
Presentation
Make sure everything is set out so that it is easy for a prospective employer to skim over and receive the key information. This means that bullet points line up and sections are evenly spaced. Also, your graduate CV should never exceed two sides of A4. If your CV looks sloppy, even just slightly, it will likely be heading straight for the bin.
Content
First rule, do not lie! It may be tempting to start listing how you won the gold medal for the skeleton run but these things will likely arise in the interview and expose you. Secondly, title your graduate CV with your name but the document can be called “graduatecv.doc” or something similar. Underneath your name should be basic contact details – your email address and a mobile telephone number. Following this should be a brief introductory paragraph which explains who you are and why you want the job you do.
Example:
I am a recent graduate from Brighton University and am looking for a job in sales where I will be able to utilise and perfect key skills that I have gained from completing a degree and previous work placements.
Following this, should be your education, starting with the highest qualifications. Your CV should list you degree (class, subject, university), and then A levels and GCSEs. It is not necessary to list all of your GCSEs and their grades, a simple “10 GCSEs A*-C grade including English, Science and Maths” will do. State any ventures or roles you completed whilst at university or school. For example, if you did a semester abroad or were head boy/girl mention what skills and experience this provided you with. Similarly, list your main hobbies, why they interest you and how they could be of use in the workplace.
Finally, list work experience. Begin with the most recent and then a short description of the role you played and what you gained from it. Many people abstain from including what they class as ‘menial jobs’ from their CV but if you can explain the skills these positions provided you with (e.g. team work, or better still, team leading) then they should by no means be overlooked.
Finish with a sentence reading “References available on request.”
If you follow these rules, then you should have yourself a remarkable graduate CV. In general, remember that your content must be relevant and it must be well presented. Tick both of these boxes and you should be getting a few phone calls in no time!
Find graduate jobs and opportunities with advice on graduate CV writing at graduate-jobs.com, a platform for graduate CVs to be more visible to potential employers. You can register for free and upload your graduate CV.
13 Nov 09 Finding a graduate job
Author: Jane Newell Brown
I wish graduates were better served by the advice and careers agencies they go to for help with their applications.
The vast majority of graduates are recruited by career recruiters most of whom will recruit in the same way. Who advises graduates about how to apply for jobs? Rarely anyone who has sat on the other side of the fence.
I gather some more enlightened universities are now hiring ex-recruiters to hone their graduate’s skills in job search but for those unlucky ones unable to access this ‘goldstar’ advice here’s five top tips for graduates out there still looking for a dream, or indeed any, job gleaned as a result of running graduate assessment centres recently.
1. Know what you want. Be really clear about why you want to do what you are applying for and most importantly be clear you do want to do it! Even if it wasn’t your top choice of career when you started your degree, adapt. There is always a range of ways to get where you want to go – you have to start somewhere. But applying for a tele-sales job when your passion is rocket science will be challenging – you’ll need to convince you can still see a future in tele-sales and do a great job. Good recruiters will see through you ‘saying the right things’ so before you even apply convince yourself or you cannot convince others. Everything can be fun with the right environment and the right people.
2. Pay attention to what’s wanted from you. Read the ad. Obvious advice but I was shocked how few people do. Generic covering letters read as just that – a generic letter which can be applied to any job. Don’t even bother with it. You’d be better hanging out on Facebook or YouTube rather than firing off applications like this given the value that a generic covering letter will afford you.
3. Tailor your application to the ad you have seen. Every time. Use those essay-writing skills you have spent three to four years honing. What does this role demand of you? How can you evidence you can deliver it? Read the ad and then tailor your covering letter and your CV to show how you have the skills and experience to really deliver the job on offer. Just saying you used be in charge of the bar is not enough – say what you learned and what skills you developed….how to persuade people to do what you wanted and brilliant mental arithmetic maybe, making them role relevant.
4. Try and stand out at interview. Again an obvious piece of advice. There’s plenty of advice on how to handle yourself at interview; being memorable is important – but in a good way. Don’t try too hard, be yourself, ask questions, push yourself forward if you’re in a group but try not to bulldoze. Enthusiasm, drive and an evidenced interest in the organisation always come across well. It never hurts to thank your interviewer or assessment centre co-ordinator personally at the end following up with a brief note re-iterating your interest especially if this is for a role with a strong need for interpersonal skills.
5. Follow up afterwards. I made an extra effort with those who were initially rejected and came back to push themselves forward harder, asking about other opportunities – I liked their approach and enthusiasm and went off to find them more interviews in the organisation. That won’t always work but if you genuinely loved the opportunity what do you have to lose?
So, think about doing something different from your ideal to gain valuable work experience and genuinely be clear about the benefits to you and your prospective employer, don’t assume it’s not worth making extra effort with each application – better to make five good applications than twenty-five standard ones. Stand out at interview – plan and prepare for it as you have done your exams or your recent travel plans and follow up at the end – we all like a bit of tenacity and confidence – you never know what might happen!
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Tags: Graduate jobs
