If there’s one stage which is neglected more than any other in the graduate job hunt, it’s research. If you take the time to do a thorough job, you could get an edge over the competition, and you’ll be much better placed to sell your skills in your application and interviews. You’ll also have a much clearer idea of whether the positions you’re applying for are right for you.
If you start early and identify companies you’re interested in, you’ll pick up news about them as you go along. You’ll also be able to make use of your networks to find out what organisations are really like to work for and to hear about vacancies that might not be advertised.
That’s the ideal approach, but life doesn’t always turn out that way. If you’re trying to gather information about an employer in a last-minute panic, there are short cuts you can take that will help you get by. Use our Employer Insights to find out about company culture, how graduate schemes are structured and what organisations are looking for, and to read up about other employers in the sector you are interested in.
The questions you shouldn’t overlook
It is essential to find out who to address the application to. Don’t take it for granted that you will be writing to the line manager. If you’re writing to a woman, check what title they use. Mrs, Ms and Miss all have different connotations, and some will take offence if you use the wrong title. If in doubt, telephone the office and check.
You will win brownie points for taking a look at the competition. Applicants who understand how the industry as a whole works will have a much deeper insight into how the particular company they are applying to fits within it. Similarly, you might learn more about the role by looking at how similar jobs function in other companies.
While research is an essential part of the application process, it is important not to over-think it. Seize opportunities when you can. Many people won’t apply for jobs if they don’t fulfil all of the criteria – particularly among female job seekers. It’s easy to get into this state of mind if you imagine that someone else might fulfil all the job requirements. However, recruiters look for candidates who will be a good fit, and may hire a really keen applicant over a more qualified one.
How to structure your research
To do a top-notch job, sit down and dedicate some serious time to investigating what the vacancy is all about. Give it a day, if not two. A good way to structure research is to have a framework of questions to answer:
- What do I need to know? Aim to understand the company, what makes it different and why it is relevant to you.
- What can I find out from employer resources? Check out official websites, Twitter feeds, and pages on other sites.
- What do they really mean? It’s not enough to copy + paste phrases into your application, you need to put them in your own terms.
- What else can I learn? It’s actually a good thing to get distracted when doing research. It will give you a wider understanding of the business, and fodder for interviews.
- What can I find out elsewhere? Don’t just rely on a company’s official website.
Good research is the key to speculative applications
There are various ‘tip-of-the-iceberg’ statistics out there which suggest that many vacancies go un-advertised. By applying ‘on spec’, you can widen your net, and even if you aren’t successful you can ask for notifications of any vacancies which do open up.
Source: Targetjobs.co.uk, Thursday 7th June 2012
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