Grads and final-year students, if you’re still searching for that graduate job, don’t despair! You’re not too late to find the right opportunity. However, now is a crucial time to pinpoint any barriers you might be facing. Whether it’s difficulty in finding jobs, issues with your resume, a lack of interviews, challenges during the interview process, or even trouble with psychometric testing, here are three actionable steps you can take to improve your chances of securing a job.
1. Assess Your Resume and Cover Letter
Your resume is your first impression, so make sure it’s tailored! Tailoring means adapting every resume and cover letter to each job you apply for, highlighting relevant skills and experiences. Avoid generic sentences and instead use action verbs and quantify your achievements to demonstrate your impact.
E.g. Instead of “Involved in events for the engineering student club” try "Coordinated 4 successful events for the engineering club, attracting over 100 attendees each, which boosted membership by 25%."
2. Network to Find Graduate Jobs
Networking is one of the most effective ways to uncover job opportunities. Attend the industry events that you get emails about! These events are curated for your exact situation – to help students find jobs by connecting with employers. After the events, don’t hesitate to connect on LinkedIn; many professionals are happy to connect and share their experiences and advice. Building connections can help you learn about hidden job markets and gain valuable insights into the hiring process.
3. Practice Interview Skills
If you’re getting interviews but not getting to the next stage, it may be time to refine your interview skills. Conduct mock interviews with a friend or mentor to practice common questions and receive constructive feedback. Familiarise yourself with the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to effectively showcase your experiences. Additionally, understanding the company’s values and culture can help you tailor your responses to align with what they are looking for in a candidate. Practicing your interviews out loud and not just writing interview answers can really help you perform well.
Remember, the journey to finding a job can take time, but with the right strategies, you can overcome barriers and increase your chances of finding a graduate job.
For personalised guidance and support, consider reaching out to JW Career Consulting. We’re here to help you navigate your graduate career journey with confidence!
Justine (Jay) Warne is a qualified career counsellor, based in Melbourne. She is registered with the Career Development Association Australia (CDAA).
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