Young graduates: 5 tips for a successful job search

Looking for your first job can be a long and tedious process, especially if you're a young graduate with little experience of the job market. Here are five tips to help you stay calm, focused and resilient.

Jobs for young graduates: Plan your search 

A successful job search as a young graduate requires a bit of planning if you want to stand out from other candidates. Plan your days by setting yourself clear goals which will represent the various milestones of your job search (e.g. research, replying to offers, following up applications).

• Keep track of all your applications (e.g. job description, application email or cover letter and any contacts made via social networks).
• Note the date of the application, whether you've had any response and any other relevant comments.
• Also set deadlines for reminders to follow up applications.

A well-managed day is a way of keeping up your morale and motivation. 

Be creative about networking 

We all need a little help ever so often, which is why it is important to tap your network when looking for a job or a young graduate program. As a graduate, it is sometimes more difficult to put out some feelers.

• Consider asking for recommendations from your former lecturers, work placement mentors or tapping into the networks of parents, friends, colleagues or classmates. 
• Schedule informational interviews with stakeholders in the industry - to learn more about the field, and learn from someone's experience. Remember every contact can be useful, even if it does not directly lead to a job offer.
• Follow leaders in your field on social media and take note of their conversations.
• Sign up to free webinars in your industry. This way you´ll have relevant material to talk about and questions to ask in future job interviews. You also show potential employers that you are already engaging in the field. 
• Consider using a recruitment agency. Recruitment consultants have the experience, contacts and knowledge of the market to improve your job search and help you find the perfect match! 

Put your best foot forward online  

Getting your LinkedIn profile in the best possible shape - including optimising for keywords relevant to your industry is, the first step. Invest time in this process, as LinkedIn is where potential recruiters can get a quick impression of who you are and what you´ve done. Use your profile to sell yourself. 

It's not about forcing awkward phrases into every line of copy, but about going through your job description and highlighting words and phrases you want to be found for online. What are the the things you do well and the type of roles you want to be noticed for?

Then, write your info with these phrases in mind, sprinkling them through your content in a natural way, in context and with the right tone, so they will be detected.

So, for example, if you are a copywriter - you definitely want words like copywriting, writing, editing, proofreading and related words included in your profile. 

Don't forget to include a high quality professional image of yourself in your profile - people employ people, after all! 

Also, use all the social networks, job boards, forums and collaborative platforms you can find to increase your chances of being seen by recruiters. 

Bear in mind that 19% of employers have already turned down a candidate because of they have been doing online. So managing your online presence well is crucial today! Make sure your privacy settings are correct and that nothing online (e.g. your TikTok dancing reels) - will deter a potential employer. 

Your CV: Do you have the X-factor?

Target your CV and cover letter for each job. Match the job skills in the recruitment ad with the skills on your CV. Be focused in your search and prepare to explain why your skills are a match for the role in any future interviews. 

Remember that people hire people, and apart from the obvious elements, your CV should also say something about who you are as a person. If an employer sees two CVs with similar strengths, which one will he or she choose? This is where the social aspects and hobbies that make you a unique candidate come into play.  

For example, if you are applying for a job in the travel sector, the fact that you travelled to the Amazon with a friend and bought pens and paper to an orphanage might say as much to a recruiter as career promotion. Or as a foodie, the fact that you worked for weeks to perfect your own kimchi recipe – then wrote a blog on how to master it – might show that you’re willing to work to get results, and then to share that success. Don’t forget that like everyone, employers love a good story.

Top Tip: Check out CVs of others in your industry as what recruiters expect to see could differ between industries. For example, the visual element is more important for a graphic design CV. If you have the skills, you could consider setting up a personal website or digital portfolio to show off your accomplishments.

Interview skills: Turn your weaknesses into strengths

Review your past experiences (e.g. work placements, voluntary work, assignments, summer jobs, etc.) What are your strengths and what areas do you need to improve? 

Imagine how your weakness could be turned into a positive. Maybe you are impatient, but this is also what drives you to want to find the best possible solution in every situation. How can you ´package´ your weakness that may actually be a positive for a future employer.

Are you a perfectionist?  In certain roles, for example as a proofreader, this quality is an asset. 

When it comes to strengths, think of examples to show interviewers how you´ve used these strengths in the past. For example, you have good people's skills, and you´ve used these skills to work out conflict when you were leading a choir or orchestra at your university. 

At least some of your interviews will probably take place online, so be sure to check your video equipment, ensure you can access the right link and follow guidelines for best practice for video interviews, including finding a quiet place, dressing professionally and ensuring you have the right lighting. 

Pace yourself...

Motivation and determination is the key to success! This is easier said than done, but try to keep a positive attitude throughout your job search.  Also accept your first job probably won't be your last - so, if you don't end up at Google immediately, it is not the end of the world.

Consider every rejection as an opportunity to learn. Applying for jobs is often a long game, so approach it like a job with a clear plan and dedicated hours every day, but don't forget to continue doing the things you love on the side to recharge your batteries. 

Good luck with your search! 

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