The graduate job hunt can be a stressful and daunting challenging time for many students and it is important to remember that companies in today's competitive market have come to expect more from each applicant.
As the bar is raised higher with every year, there is a growing expectations for graduates to bring something new to the table in order to show an employer that they are the stand out candidate for the job. Here are some simple tips to help become a more employable applicant:
1) Make sure you want the job before applying
Sounds simple, but so many candidates apply for positions that they are not really interested in, simply because they are in a rush to get into employment. What you have to remember is that, if you cannot convince yourself that you are right for the role, then how will you be able to convince an interviewer that you will be an asset to their organisation. When it comes to applications these days it really about quality over quantity.
2) Get involved in any activities you can
Companies will of course look at relevant work experience, but it is important to get involved in any way that you can in other areas such as academic university societies. Showing that you have taken an interest in a particular group demonstrates to an employer that you looked to actively pursue the career path you have chosen and are a proactive individual.
3) Compare yourself to the rest of the competition
A very simple test that can be used to determine whether or not you would stand out to an employer is by comparing yourself to course mates who have a similar background to yourself. By evaluating your attributes alongside those similar to you academically allow you to identify what qualities make you a stand out as a candidate.
These three points are a great starting point in order to help you begin your quest to finding the perfect graduate job.
