The Graduate Job Search Guide

The job market is a wide world of opportunities and challenges, ready and waiting for you to make your mark.The first thing is work out what you would like to do, based on your interests and skills.

Don't worry that you are committing yourself for life when you take a job. Those days are long gone. Always keep an open mind and lookfor potential career development opportunities.To make a good career choice, you need: clear understanding of yourself (your skills, hopes, ambitions, personality and limitations)and a good understanding of the range of career routes availableEveryone needs to start somewhere, so don't expect to walk straightinto a management role, no matter how good your qualifications, beprepared to work your way up the ladder.Work experience and temping are great ways to get your foot in thedoor. Work placements are respected by potential employers as theyprove that you've got initiative.Placements can often turn into full time jobs, so make the most of the opportunity to impress. Even if your contract isn't extended, theymay remember you when a full-time position becomes available inthe future.

www.monster.co.uk

There are various things that differentiate employers, and not justthe industry they operate in. Number of employees, office culture,ownership and staff development are all key areas you should lookinto when deciding your ideal employer.When you're searching through job adverts, measure each againstthese points to give you an idea of what the company is like:

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Style

- Who wrote the material and why? View this as theorganisational equivalent of a CV. Does it capture your attention or come across as dull?

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Depth

- How much detail are you being given? Do theymention specific goals you would be working towards or justgive you an overall view of your responsibilities?

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Omissions

- Is there anything about the company they don'ttell you? Use the Internet to find out all you can about theorganisation.

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Frequency

- Regular jobs adverts from the same companyoften suggest high rates of staff turnover which could be asign that it's one to avoid.Keep your eyes open as you search for new jobs and never miss anopportunity to chat to friends and colleagues about possibleopenings. You never know what might turn up.

‘Grass is Greener’ eBooks

See the options…

There are thousands of career available and it’ can seem like adaunting prospect to find out what’s right for you. That’s whereour Career Snapshotstool comes in handy, allowing you toexplore the options that are out there.