What do you do if you're a recent graduate struggling to find your first job?

I recently helped a new graduate land her first job. I started with the strengths finder test to help her know what makes her unique and how she could use her strengths to stand out. We crafted her CV, highlighting her skills and experience gained through internship or volunteering. Tailoring each application's resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences is essential. Use keywords from the job description.

Resume is the first thing Recruiter will see. Make sure it shows your unique skills and experiences. If you don't have a professional work experiences yet, you can share some University projects, volunteering or part time jobs that prove your transferable skills for the dream graduate role.

Breaking into the job market as a recent graduate can feel like tackling a steep climb, but with the right strategies, you can do it. As an ex-recruiter, here are my best tips. Your resume is your ticket in, so make it shine. But here's the contrarian tip: Don't just list your academic achievements. Focus on skills and experiences relevant to the jobs you're applying for, including projects, internships, and extracurricular activities. Actionable Strategy: Tailor your resume for each job application. Use keywords from the job description to get past those Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Example: Highlight leadership roles in clubs or societies to demonstrate teamwork and management skills.

Securing an interview as a graduate is probably the toughest part of starting your career. You only have 5 seconds for your CV to outshine hundreds of candidates. Retain the hirer's interest by: *Entering the exact keywords in the job description into your CV and cover letter. Get them engaged at the very start of their review. *Use your experience obtained from work experience, volunteer work, internships and hobbies to demonstrate teamwork, reliability, persistence and responsibility. *Link your experience with their requirements to show how you add value to the team and organisation. Again, use the keywords in the job description to keep them interested and intrigued to invite you for an interview.

As a recent graduate struggling to find your first job, there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of landing a job. Networking, tailoring your resume and cover letter, gaining relevant experience, practicing interview skills, and staying positive are all crucial steps to help you achieve your career goals. Remember, finding your first job can take time, but with the right mindset, strategy, and support, you can land a job that launches your career

Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it’s about building relationships. Attend industry webinars, join professional groups, and engage in discussions. And remember, it’s not just who you know; it’s who knows you. Practical Approach: Reach out to alumni in your field. Start with, “I noticed we both graduated from [University], and I’m really interested in your work in [Industry]. Could I ask for some advice on entering this field?”

Experience can be a game-changer. Consider internships, volunteering, or freelance projects. Here’s the twist: Even unrelated jobs can provide valuable skills. Frame these experiences in terms of transferable skills like communication, organization, and time management. Contrarian Tip: If traditional routes to experience are closed, start a personal project or blog related to your field. This shows initiative and passion.

Let's face it, consistently hearing feedback like 'we went for someone with more experience' is frustrating and demoralising! Use each rejection as a stepping stone to the next opportunity. Ask for feedback and use it to address any gaps mentioned in the interview and feedback. Get specific about the type of organisation, teams and leaders you want to work under i.e., small, dynamic vs large, structured with career development programs etc. So often, graduates are focused on impressing the hirers, but interviews are a 2-way street. Take a close look at the last place that rejected your application. Chances are, they didn't tick all the boxes for you. Flip the perspective and you will see that the rejection wasn't such a bad outcome.

Do FREE work. As a grad - you’re a risky investment to a potential employer. Want to remove as much of that risk as possible and stand out as the obvious choice? Offer to work for FREE. Suggest that if and when they feel like you add enough value to the business, then you can discuss your salary. Worst case scenario? You’ve got some experience under your belt, put that on your CV and get applying.

There’s a lot of companies offering graduates programs. Check on google “Graduate Program + the name of your desired company” also check for graduate events near you where you can go and meet potential employers.