Written by Molly Lee (DMU Journalism student)
With the academic year coming to an end, you might find yourself wondering about the next chapter. First of all, congratulations on getting this far. Secondly, don’t panic! There are plenty of ways to find a graduate role, relevant to your degree.
Make a strong CV
A strong CV is key to landing a graduate role. It is your way to, ultimately, sell yourself within one page of A4. It should be concise, tailored to the job you are applying for and highlights your skills and experiences. Key elements include contact information, personal profile, work experience, education and skills. If you are struggling with a template for your CV, there are plenty free ones available online and in Microsoft Word.
Use LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a perfect platform to professionally connect with people, find opportunities and build your online presence. On your profile picture (which should be smart, not like a silly Instagram one), you can insert a ‘open to work’ banner which allows employers to immediately see that you are seeking a graduate role. Build your network by sending connection invitations to people in the work sector you are most interested in – you never know, they might be your next employer!
Consider internships and apprenticeships
Once you have graduated from university, internships and apprenticeships are a great pathway to career development. Internships are of a shorter duration where you can gain practical, hands-on experience in the industry. Apprenticeships are longer and include both on-the-job training and a further formal qualification. In some cases, apprentices end up staying on at that company.
Scour through Indeed
If you find yourself doing nothing, why not spend a bit of time scrolling through Indeed? Indeed is a large, online job board with thousands of advertised jobs from various work sectors. It also allows you to attach your CV to your profile which makes it quicker and easier to apply for vacancies. You can also set up job notifications specific to your interests.
University career services
Both DMU and UOL offer career support for all their students.
DMU have specialist careers teams in every faculty to help students plan their career path and find opportunities. On campus, there is The Careers Hub where students can drop in on weekdays, between 10am and 3pm, for specialist careers support. Support includes: CV reviews, interview preparation and body swaps VR.
UOL’s careers and employability service help students find the right direction and gain the skills you need for work after your graduate. They offer 1-2-1 appointments, help with applications and CVs and practice interviews.
Unsure on how the end of your tenancy with Sulets works? No problem! Contact Sulets by email on enquiries@sulets.com or by phone on 0116 467 0315.
Photo by Anna Tarazevich