How to escape post-graduate unemployment

You’ve graduated from University with a respectable degree, and you’re celebrating by spending the last of you student loan on a few own-brand supermarket ciders. ‘Here’s to freedom!’ you slur, imagining how this will all change when you start your 9-5 grad job... But it doesn’t happen. You’re thrown into reality by the harsh competition of the job market, and you feel so low. One graduate says ‘I’ve graduated with a 2:1 and don’t feel any better off! Friends who didn’t go to university are earning way more than me with a ton of experience. I just have debt.’

Of course this isn’t true of every graduate, and in no way am I against university (I am a recent graduate myself!) but I know a lot of people who can not find work related to their degree, or can not find work at all. Here’s what you should do to ensure maximum potential in your search..

Polish up that CV

The first thing you should do is take a look at your CV, and update where necessary. University can gain you a whole host of transferable skills:

-          Working in a team. No doubt you will have had a few group projects during your course, and so you’ll have knowledge of having to distribute work between members, sharing responsibilities, and communicating effectively.

-          Keeping to deadlines is something you should be very familiar with. Universities usually have harsh penalties for late work!

-          You will have gained valuable research and analysis skills whilst writing essays (in particular your dissertation!)

-          Subject specific skills and specialist knowledge of the field.

Take advantage

Most universities offer careers guidance and other useful services, so be sure to make the most of these whilst you can! You could be introduced to people valuable in the future, attend careers fairs, and receive CV writing help and interview tips. You can also use this time to ask your tutors if they would be happy to provide a reference for you if you’re lacking work experience.

Up your experience

Hopefully you’ll have gained some work experience whilst at University, but if not there’s still time! Whilst searching for a job, try volunteering part-time. There are a variety of roles you can gain experience in, and by doing this you’re showing an employer that you’re not the type of person who can just sit around and wait for things to happen! There are hundreds of opportunities on http://www.do-it.org.uk/ .  There are always opportunities with Essential, too (meaning you can make a bit of cash whilst you get your experience!) Contact a branch.

Network like crazy

Sometimes finding work can be a case of who you know, rather than what you know. If you have a LinkedIn account, add everyone you know. Everyone you’ve worked with, everyone you’ve been to school with, family and friends. Join groups related to work you’re interested in as these often feature job vacancies  in the industry. However, if you don’t have a LinkedIn... get one!