Gen Z Guide - Landing your Graduate Role

The Graduate Recruitment market has become increasingly competitive through recent years, with each graduate role on average receiving 91 applications in 2021*.

There were an estimated 36.4 million graduates in the UK in 2023**, so it's more important than ever that you get your graduate applications right.

With Hydrock, now Stantec soon releasing our Second Round of Graduate roles for September 2024, it's a great time for me to share with you some tips for your graduate applications and hopefully help you start your career!

CV

A CV is an essential part to the majority of graduate applications, however it can feel daunting as a graduate without much industry experience:

• Ensure your contact details are clear and at the beginning of your CV, these can include:
• 1. Name
• 2. Address - if you are relocating for the role, make sure to put the location you will be relocating to)
• 3. Email address - for a CV, you want your email address to look professional (it takes 5 minutes to set up a new email address, so if you need to do it...do it!
• 4. Contact number
• Strong personal statement with reasoning:Though important to list skills which you resonate with (eg - hardworking, ambitious, confident), it is equally as important to tell the reader HOW these skills have been acquired, for example: "I am a confident and natural leader, as can be seen through..."
• For your first graduate role, your Education will most likely be the most important factor of your CV.Don't be afraid to go into detail about your accomplishments, for example including a brief description of your dissertation, modules you covered that you were particularly proud of (bonus points if these modules are relevant to the role you are applying to). It is also important to highlight Grade / Expected Grade.
• If you have completed an Industrial Placement, make sure you include this and what you learnt.
• If you have worked part time, or have previous experience, make sure to include these roles in descending order.
• Any additional information, eg: other courses, driving license, etc.

Cover Letters

With the high volume of graduates applying for roles, cover letters are a great way to make you stand out.

• With no formal experience in a sector, cover letters are a great way to introduce yourself to a company and explain why you are interested and what about your degree makes you relevant.
• Are there any projects a business has worked on that has inspired you to apply? Make sure to include these!
• Did you meet some of the team a Careers Fair? Remember to mention this and made you want to apply after speaking with them!

AI

AI can be a great tool for helping you with your CVs, cover letters and application forms, but make sure to take influence from the tool, as appose to fully rely on it.

• Make sure to thoroughly read through anything produced from an AI tool, for example: "I would like to work for want to work for [insert company name here]" - yes this happens sometimes!
• We want your interest to be genuine and true to you - AI can't give you that
• Some tools to use could be - Chat GPT, myperfectCV
• Joe Campbell , Talent Acquisition Lead for Early Careers at BJSS said: "When applying for graduate programs, leveraging AI can be a game-changer in enhancing your application's quality and competitiveness. From using chatbots to provide guidance to find the suitable roles to apply for to utilising AI tools to tailor your CV or cover letter to highlight the relevant skills required for the various roles you are applying to. By utilising AI to support your graduate applications, you can cut down on time spent on each application, improve the quality of your applications and make more informed decisions. Ultimately increasing your chances of securing your dream job."

LinkedIn profile

• Name and Headline - It's important to write a short opening for your profile, for example: what you're studying, industry you're interested in or current role
• Photo - Ensure you have an appropriate headshot
• About you - Explain briefly who you are, information about your degree and your background
• Experience - Include any work experience, industrial placements, volunteering positions
• Education - Remember to include any major qualifications or courses

About us:

Hydrock, now Stantec are a national multi-disciplinary engineering, energy and sustainability consultancy. We are believe in supporting and encouraging you as you start out in your career.

We will work with you to build a career path that matches your aspiration, supports your vision of your future and helps you to achieve your full potential.

September 2024 is on track to be our biggest Graduate intake EVER! With roles available across the UK in the following disciplines:

• Civil and Structural Engineering
• Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health Engineering
• Nuclear Consultancy
• Fire Engineering
• Geo-Technical / Geo-Environmental Engineering

If you are interested in starting your career with us, please check out Early Careers | Hydrock, or email me on [email protected]

Best of luck with your applications and I hope to hear from you soon!

Sources:

* 'Genuine struggle' for graduate jobs as applicants per vacancy numbers hit record high - survey | UK News | Sky News

** UK Graduate Statistics & Employment Rates | 2023 Analysis (standout-cv.com)