How to score your first role out of university

Are you new to the job market?

Is it your first time applying for a full-time job?

Don’t worry, we have some top tips on how to ace the application process.

We see hundreds of CVs and job applications a day and are here to help.

Below is a recruiter’s guide on how to stand out from the crowd when applying for your first role out of university.

Tailor your CV and cover letter for each role

When applying for roles you will find that no two are the same. No two CVs or cover letters should be the same either.

It is important to tailor each application you complete. You can do this by using buzzwords from the job description or adding experience relevant specifically to that role. This demonstrates your skills, experience, and knowledge that align with the role. It showcases that you have done your homework, and haven’t applied with a generic template cv.

Network as if your career depends on it (because it does) 

Growing your network during your time at university can be extremely helpful when the time comes for you to begin your career,

You can meet potential employers by attending careers fairs, creating connections on LinkedIn, or getting to know university alumni.

Your part-time job has value 

During your time at university, it’s likely you’ve had a part-time job. The skills you have learned from a part-time job can be transferred to various other roles, so adding your experience from these roles will add value to your CV.

Emphasise your transferrable skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management.

Follow up 

One way to stand out is to follow up on your application.

Doing this shows the company you are eager to know more about your application. Most of all it shows you are enthusiastic about working for the company.

Be prepared for your interviews 

Research the company and the role.

Practice some common interview questions that you might get asked.

Always have questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Check out our blog here for tips on questions to ask at the end of your interview.

Hopefully, this guide has helped to give you a head start on securing your first role out of university. For more tips, read our blog: Top CV Tips to Elevate Your Application. 

Our team also offer services to help you edit your CV. Contact us here to find out more.