Congratulations on completing your studies! It’s a momentous achievement born out of a lot of hard work, commitment and perseverance. Now it’s time to turn your focus to finding your first graduate job out of university.
While you might feel a little nervous about transitioning into the world of full-time work, there are plenty of things you can do to increase your chances of landing your first role post-graduation. Much of this requires putting yourself in research mode – something you’re well-used to after your study years!
This blog offers a step-by-step process for finding graduate jobs, alongside links to further articles in our Graduate Series. Each article contains comprehensive information to support you in your graduate recruitment adventure.
A mentor can be invaluable support as you embark on the process of finding your first job, as well as throughout your entire career.
Depending on whom you choose, they can offer advice about entering the workforce with specific tips about the industry you’re in (plus potential contacts to help you land that first role), as well as support when you encounter challenges. They can also be an excellent source of feedback when it comes to your strengths and areas for improvement.
Get Your CV and Cover Letter in Order
Your CV and cover letter are usually your first point of contact with a potential employer, so it pays to put your best foot forward by tailoring each one to every job application you submit.
You should spend a little time thinking about what makes you stand out above other graduates, along with the key transferable skills you possess, and then highlight these within your recruitment documents.
At all times, keep in mind the main goal of your CV and cover letter – to illustrate why you’re an ideal match for the open position and organisation at large.
So all your hard work has paid off and you’ve landed yourself an interview. This requires some serious preparation and practice so you can head into it confidently, knowing you’re ready to showcase why you’re the ideal fit for the job.
The interview stage may be nerve-wracking but think of it as excellent practice even if you don’t get the first job you apply for. Every single interview experience is a learning experience and with enough preparation, you can feel ready for the jobs for which you’re applying.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of receiving your first job offer after graduation. Take a moment to enjoy the elation as you deserve it. After that, spend some time critically reviewing the offer details before accepting so that you can be sure it’s the right role for you.
If you’ve connected with a Recruiter, they will take you through the offer and help you weigh up whether it’s the right fit for your first graduate job. They can even support you with the offer negotiation process, should you need it.
Upon job acceptance, you’ll want to keep up the momentum by ensuring you make a good impression on your first day and beyond. Now you’ve passed the interview stages, you need to think about how you present yourself in the workplace.
Making a great first impression is easy when you consider taking the initiative and being attentive in your new role. This is your chance to showcase your knowledge and your willingness to learn in a position that matches your dream role.
Further Graduate Jobs Help?
Cultivating a professional relationship with a specialist recruiter at the start of your career offers many benefits. Apart from the obvious (a host of graduate job opportunities!), they can review and offer expert advice about your CV and cover letter, help you prepare for interviews and provide direct feedback afterwards, as well as support you during the job offer process. With deep connections within your industry, they’re often a fast-track to finding your first graduate role.
As a proud Indigenous recruitment agency in Australia, we specialise in helping Indigenous and non-indigenous talent find their right role fit, whether it’s their first or fifth. Please connect with one of our specialists if you’d like some extra support in finding graduate jobs.
