By Laura Bill, Head Writer at Inspiring Interns
After finishing university, you may be wondering what’s next. Some students have a plan from the moment they submit their final assignment, while others are not sure which path to take. Regardless of the stage you’re at right now, it’s never too late to find ways to make yourself more employable.
It’s no secret that securing a graduate job isn’t easy, therefore, you should aim to find ways to ‘wow’ the employer and become a competitive candidate in the job search.
Here are some of the best ways to make yourself more employable after graduation:
Get some work experience
One of the best ways to stand out from the competition is to get work experience. As this will be carried out in your own time and it shows the employer that you’re dedicated to career development.
If you’re not quite sure which career path to take and have no prior experience in the working world, any placement will be beneficial as you’ll be developing skills and knowledge along the way which may come in useful later down the line.
Make sure your CV is relevant
Employers will pay more attention to graduates with an impressive CV. As they are bombarded with thousands of CVs for a single job, you need to consider what the employer is truly looking for.
Firstly, ensure you list all of the qualifications and experiences that are relevant to the job and cut out waffle.
If you’re applying for a marketing job, for example, the employer will most probably not be interested that you worked in a café at the age of 16, unless you prove you have developed key skills linked to the job you’re applying for.
Clean up your social media profiles
Believe it or not, employers do go snooping. As part of the job search, they may browse your social media platforms to get a feel for who you are as a person and whether you’re a good fit for the company and the graduate job or internship.
If you’ve got drunken clubbing snaps and inappropriate comments with bad language, it’s time to do a drastic profile clean-up. Alongside this, it may be worth adjusting your settings to private mode.
Learn a language
As many companies now have premises and partnerships abroad, learning a language is always a valuable skill that employers look for. With most businesses having alliances in Europe, languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, or German could give you the edge over other candidates.
Not only that, but employers will see that you have worked hard to master fluency in a brand-new language which shows you’re dedicated, organised, and willing to take on a challenge.
Network
Have you ever heard the saying ‘It’s not what you know, but who you know’? This can also be true when it comes to the job search. Many people find jobs not through the skills and experience they acquire, but the people they have met along the way.
Attend careers fairs and workshops, speak to graduate recruitment companies such as Inspiring Interns and reach out to contacts acquainted with friends and family members in your desired field. One simple link could open up a heap of opportunities in your chosen field.