Anyone who’s read the news this week will have seen the recent alarming headlines announcing that ‘graduates are twice as likely to be jobless.’ One in five of those who have left university in the past year are unable to find work within six months according to the Office for National Statistics. That is almost double the rate than before the start of the recession – so what does the future hold in terms of employment?
While such headlines can be unsettling, here at Company believe that it shouldn’t all be bad news and that even if times are tough, there are always ways to make the most of your potential during your freedom years!
Taking on unpaid work experience shows you have commitment and is also an invaluable way to make contacts – the vast majority of Company staffers were interns in publishing before being given a full-time job – and many companies take on graduates who have carried out internships with them previously. Although the Evening Standard recently published that ‘internships are only for the wealthy’ this really doesn’t have to be true! Do as much work experience as you possibly can whilst you’re at uni, ask local businesses if you can help between lectures or on weekends and days off.
If you truly want to make the extra effort, instead of going home to see your friends in the holidays, how about using that time to do any internships you possibly can to add to your CV? Once you’re at your placement make the most of it and do every task with pleasure- just enjoy it and always remember that it will pay off in the end!
Take part in any extra-curricular activities your university may have to offer as it shows time management and always looks good on your CV as additional skills.
Update your CV regularly and aim to be able to add new things to it constantly. Don’t just list every part time job you’ve had since your 16th birthday, but pick out key relevant jobs you’ve had and list the skills you learnt from them. Keep your cover letter informative but short - your potential employers don’t have time to read an essay on how impressive your team skills are and about your organisational talents - besides, actions often speak louder than words!
Talk to everyone and anyone you can in your relevant industry, find out their experiences and do your research - find out about the different types of jobs and companies out there. It’s never too soon to start looking and contacting people even if it’s just for some helpful advice!
Most of all, remember to stay positive and don’t be disheartened by any setbacks. You will find a job but it may take time, preparation, persistence and patience. It’s definitely not easy but it doesn’t have to be impossible either if you do things to benefit your employability. Be aware that over half of graduates actually end up doing something completely unrelated to their course so expect the unexpected! Believe in yourself, take the right steps and the rest will undoubtedly follow.
