12 tips that’ll get you a graduate job in 2012

Whether you’re a first year or a finalist, there’s no time like the New Year to power up your graduate career planning. January has long been a favourite month for jobhunters, and there’s no time like the present to get started on changing your life. So if you’ve been suffering from a spot of post-Christmas lethargy, or need some inspiration for your New Year career resolutions, our 12 tips for 2012 should help to spur you into action.

1. Don’t expect too much of yourself. Set yourself realistic, regular goals for jobhunting success.
2. Do you know what your strengths are? Are you aware of the full range of different careers that match your unique skills and interests? If you haven’t already, make use of our targetjobs.co.uk career planner.
3. Still short on ideas? Find out the key skills you gain from different degrees and check career options for graduates who have studied subjects ranging from modern languages to psychology.
4. Audit and manage your online profile. Check out what employers can find out about you, then make sure it’s what you want them to see.
5. Create a LinkedIn profile – but read our quick guide first to make sure you make the most of it.
6. Check your deadlines. This is a very busy time for graduate scheme and internship deadlines, with dozens of opportunities closing this week alone on targetjobs.co.uk, and many more to come before the end of January. Search all our graduate job vacancies, or browse a selection ofgraduate schemes in different key career areas. Even if you’re not applying for jobs yet, take a look at what’s out there.
7. Check out our model CVs to help you on your way with putting yours together (remember, adapt it for each graduate job application).
8. Here’s why you don’t need to worry about including a personal statement in your CV.
9. When you submit online application forms for graduate jobs, make sure you tailor each one for the employer, and, if possible, print it off and proofread it carefully. That way you’ll avoid employers’ top two turn-offs: blanket applications and sloppy text that is full of grammar and spelling mistakes. Do keep copies for future reference. Check out our online applications advice for more useful tips.
10. Wouldn’t it be great if you could find out what individual employers look for in job applications? Well, you can! Find out whether the employers you are interested in are covered in our in-depth Employer Insights, and if they are, make sure you follow them for updates.
11. Take the fear out of graduate job interviews by familiarising yourself with the tricky interview questions that are likely to come up, such as ‘What is your biggest weakness?’ The key is to frame your answer so as to give it a positive spin.
12. Remember… you are not alone. Stay in touch! There are lots of ways you can use targetjobs.co.uk to access advice and network.

Source: Targetjobs.co.uk, Wednesday 4th January 2012