almost 5 years ago
After three years of lectures, nights out, and reheated pizza for breakfast, your graduation is in sight! Amidst the stress of your final exams and the excitement of your graduation day, here are some things to remember to do in preparation for becoming a post-grad!
1. Make sure your CV is up to date
The first step to take before applying to any jobs is to make sure you that your CV is up to date, and if you don’t have one yet, then now is the time to put one together! Check out our blog post titled “New Year: New Job but, first New CV” for the best tips on CV writing! It may also be useful for you to Google some CV templates to give you an idea of how to format your CV if you’re feeling a little lost with where to start.
2. Attend graduate events
There is a huge variety of graduate events available which can help you to get a head start on your career, such as lectures, fairs, and even a fashion week! Graduate Fashion Week is an event which brings together graduates from fashion schools around the country and employers looking to recruit. It is a fantastic opportunity for those looking for a career in the fashion industry! Look out for any similar events which will give you a chance to find contacts from your chosen industry.
3. Speak to your university careers advisor
Universities provide great resources if you’re unsure about which career path to pursue, or even if you do know but you’re not sure how to go about it. Your university will most likely run job fairs, and will also have a careers advisor you can book an appointment with. Speaking to a careers advisor outside of university usually costs money, so make the most of your university advisor – they can help to put you on the right path for your career!
4. Start sending out job applications
Don’t wait until you’ve thrown your cap in the air to start sending out job applications! The process of job-hunting is long and gruelling at times, and you’ll thank yourself if you start it sooner rather than later. Many employers will receive more CVs and applications than they can reply to, so you may end up waiting a little while before receiving any responses.
5. Use a recruitment agency
Applying for jobs is daunting, especially for your first job! Using a recruitment agency can help to guide you through the process, by matching you with job roles that they believe are suitable for you. Many recruitment agencies specialise in a specific job sector, making them all the more knowledgeable about how to get you started in your career. Reputable recruitment consultants will meet with you in person in order to get to know you.
6. Make the most of your student discount
You’ll never appreciate something as much as you do when it’s gone! Before you know it, the days of getting a discount on clothes and food will be long gone, and you’ll be longing for the days of never having to pay full price!
7. Prepare for your graduation day
You’ve spent the last few years building up to this day, and there is no doubt that it will be one to remember. Don’t forget to check your university’s website for the details of your graduation day, such as how many tickets each graduate is entitled to and how to hire your cap and gown. As well as this, remember to plan your outfit in advance!
8. Take a break and travel
You’ve most likely been in some form of education since the age of three, so don’t feel bad for needing to take a break! Before you start settling down into your career, make the most of the world being at the palm of your hand and take a few weeks or even months to travel! That being said, it is definitely worth sending out job applications before you leave. Most employers will be understanding of the fact that you may not be available to start immediately, and sometimes the process is so lengthy that you may be back from your travels before you receive a response!
9. Use LinkedIn to your advantage
LinkedIn is a great tool for networking – it’s easy to use as well as widely used by employers! You may be inclined to think that as a student, there’s no point in creating your LinkedIn account until you’ve had your first job, but as soon as you add your university to your profile you’ll be able to find other alumni from your university! Every connection on LinkedIn has the potential to be useful to you.
10. Look for an internship
If your chosen industry is difficult to break into without any experience in the field (which many are!), then an internship may be your answer. A lot of graduates are put off by the concept of internships being unpaid, however, the good news is that these days many internships are paid. You will be able to get a really good idea of what a career within that industry is like, and whether or not it is right for you. Not only does an internship provide you with a sort of ‘trial period’ for a career in the industry, it also may lead you into a permanent role after.
For more information, do not hesitate to contact one of our consultants who will be able to give you further advice and help!