The beginning of your career journey is an exciting time, but it can also be daunting!  Stepping into work from education has many challenges and often it’s hard to know where to start.

As specialist recruitment consultants we are well experienced at helping people onto the career ladder and setting them on the path to achieve their career aspirations.  We have put together our top tips for job seekers to help you on your journey.

Attend events and network!

Universities and colleges often host some great employability events. We often attend graduate careers fairs where lots of students and graduates are given the opportunity to speak with a wide range of employers and recruitment consultants, some of these are general fairs and others are aimed at specific disciplines i.e. Medical, business or science students.  In addition to careers fairs, Universities often hold workshops, competitions or seminars where you can meet and learn from University staff or external employers who want to come in and speak with you.  These are all great opportunities which are worth making the most of while you can, Universities will often use social media, the University intranet and the careers office to promote these opportunities.

Work experience

Potential employers often look for experience and if you can demonstrate this on your CV it will really help to set you aside from other job seekers.  Placements within your discipline will provide you with the most relevant experience and are more sought after by employers, however any work experience can demonstrate transferable skills, these may include; organisation, time keeping, team working and customer service.  Volunteering can also provide a huge range of transferable skills you can talk about both on your CV and in an interview.

Get online and raise your profile!

LinkedIn is the number one platform for networking with other professionals.  We highly recommend that you use it as a tool for your personal branding.  LinkedIn has many features which make it easy to upload your CV, write about your skills and to post articles. You should use this wisely by engaging in professional or work-related content.  Make connections with people within your industry and make sure to follow any relevant pages, such as industry magazines and professional bodies.  You should also be checking your online footprint and making sure anything you wouldn’t want to be seen by a potential employer is set as private or taken down from your social platforms!

Make your CV stand out

Think carefully about how you structure your CV, with your key skills displayed first.  It’s important to tailor your CV for specific job opportunities and to ensure it’s clear and easy to read!  Avoid using clichés and make sure your spelling and grammar is correct.

Hobbies and interests is an often overlooked but really important part of a CV.  If you’re applying for graduate level positions, a shared hobby with an interviewer can really set you apart and open the conversation, so is well worth including.

Use a Specialist Recruitment Consultancy

Recruitment consultants can be a huge help in your search for a new job.  For instance, at CY Partners we specialise in matching job seekers with career opportunities in the Science sector.  We have well established industry partnerships and we can make your job search easier. We guide you through the job search process and give professional guidance and support with CV writing, interview coaching, career advice and industry knowledge.  Best of all it’s a free service!

Feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions!