How to find a graduate job? It’s a question that every graduate is confronted with on leaving university, when you find yourself rather suddenly spat out of comforting institutional life into the real world with no curriculum, term dates or assignments to centre your life around.

Once you’ve graduated you have to fend for yourself, and that can feel rather daunting. That’s why so many graduates find it really helpful to work with a recruitment agency. At Anderson Hoare we take a nurturing approach when working with all our graduate candidates, and once you are registered with us we’ll guide you through your job search, introducing you to companies we think you’d love to work for and advise and support you during your job application and interview process.

We focus on office support roles at Anderson Hoare and these can be the perfect place to start for an ambitious graduate looking for an entry level role in a specific industry or company. Starting off as a PA or Team Assistant can open so many doors further down the line, you’ll get the chance to see all areas of the company and a good grounding for what they do and where you want your career to progress going forward. You’ll also learn vital office skills that no one will have told you you need while at university!

Because we know what a harsh reality shock real life can be after university (we’ve all been there!) we’ve put together a list of helpful hits and tips for graduates looking for entry level jobs below. We’re always keen to chat so if you have any questions or would like us to help you with your seach please just get in touch with one of our consultants today.

8 Tips For Graduates Seeking Entry Level Jobs

1. Appear professional on social media While at university it’s easy to presume that your social media presence is just for you and your friends, but remember, anything you upload to the internet is open for everyone to see. Even if your settings are private there’s still a possibility that a hiring manager might be able to see what you post so our biggest piece of advice is to be very aware of what you are sharing and the personality you are conveying online. If the picture isn’t one you’d be happy sharing with a potential colleague then it’s best deleted.

2. Tailor every application for each role Anyone can fire off their CV to hundreds of job applications but you’re unlikely to hear anything back unless you tailor the application to the specific job. Always write a short cover letter and think about how your experience is appropriate for the role you are applying for, adapting your CV as necessary.

3. Take, and ask for, advice It’s easy to think you know everything, but the truth is that fresh out of university you don’t and parents, grandparents and family friends can offer a lot of helpful advice. Don’t be too proud to ask for help or seek support from people you know.

4. Research companies before applying for jobs Are you passionate about saving the planet or really interested in employee wellbeing? Lots of companies will have side projects that they work on, big examples are Sky’s Ocean Rescue programme or Toyota’s partnership with The Guide Dog Society but many smaller companies will have internal wellness and charity committees that are taken very seriously. Do your research and when applying to a company mentioning you are interested in the role and also the side of desk work will really impress hiring managers.

5. Unpaid internships are illegal A weeks work experience is a great way to get a feel for the working environment but it’s important not to be taken advantage of. If you’re at a company for an extended period of time and are not being paid for the work you are doing then don’t be fooled into thinking they have to reward you for your time at the end, many companies won’t and will try to get away with not paying for you for as long as possible. Know your worth and don’t accept work that comes without a pay cheque.

6. Ignore the headlines – there are still lots of jobs out there Unemployment is currently at it’s lowest in 45 years so don’t be put off applying to jobs and blame Brexit or the economy for any knock backs. Now is your chance to take your life into your own hands and with us by your side that will be a whole lot easier.

7. More education isn’t always the answer Having a degree more than halves your chance of being unemployed, and once you have that degree and have secured a job there are lots of ways to further train and gain qualifications to advance your career while you are employed. Education for the sake of education is a wonderful thing but when it comes to getting an entry level job office based skills are very important and spending more time gaining multiple qualifications before you get started on the job ladder won’t always guarantee you a higher entry level position than graduates fresh out of university.

8. Be yourself While it’s important that your CV is tailored to the job you are applying for don’t try to mould your personality, likes/dislikes or skills to a job that you ultimately don’t think is right for you. A job may look great on paper but if there are fundamental elements that you can’t see yourself enjoying, or are perhaps not at all in line with what you want to do or believe in then you will only end up leaving in the long term. It’s better to spend more time working with a recruitment agency such as us to really dig deep into what you want to do and find a job that perfectly fits.

If you are a graduate looking for an incredible opportunity, or a growing company seeking an inspiring new team member, our expert consultants are always happy to help. Get in touch with us today to start your search.