CEO Shows Secrets To Landing A High Paying Graduate Job

The recruitment process for graduates, is frustrating and confusing. However, there are lots of things you can do that significantly improve your chances. And make it easier for them to choose you.

Here are the 7 key steps that will massively increases your chances of getting an interview.

Look out for part 2: How to convert interviews into job offers.

1. Understanding employers.
For about 70% of jobs it doesn't really matter what degree you did. And that means that your degree becomes a proxy measure to decide whether you're going to be a great employee.

They are looking for people who are:
Likeable
Great team members
Good problem solvers
Hard working
Passionate
Enthusiastic
Resilient

2. Work experience and work placements.
Employers don't want to hire successful students. They want to hire successful employees. Work experience and work placement schemes are invaluable when hunting for jobs, now more than ever.

It doesn't matter too much what that work experience is. The most important part of work experience is making sure you get a really good written reference.

3. It's a numbers game.
You are almost certainly going to have to make multiple applications before finally getting an offer.
But remember: They get lots of applications for every role.

BUT

Not lots of high-quality applications. Fewer / better is preferable to lots of generic cut/paste applications.

4. Resumes.
They are simply information sheets. Do not spend loads of time obsessing over the design.
-Keep it really simple.
-Don't use pictures.
-Don't use lots of different colors.
-Don't use lots of different fonts.
-Choose a straightforward template (for example from Google or Word)

A resume is not on its own going to get you a job. But if it’s a mess or full of typos, it can lose you a job. So sweat the small stuff.

5. Give them what they want.
The employer has almost certainly told you what they want. It's in the job description on the website, or in the information you received. And if it isn’t – there’s no harm in asking for it.

Take as much information from that job description as you can and play it back to them. Tell them what they want to hear.

6. Beware AI.
Increasingly, employers are using AI to sift through candidates. And increasingly, candidates are using AI to put together their applications.

AI is an unreliable friend. It can help but cannot do a good enough job on its own. Make sure to include enough of you in your application and ensure it doesn’t look like a generic AI generated document (they will get lots of those and will cut them).

7. Get feedback.
If you get an interview, remember to send them a short, polite email saying:
Thank you very much, I’m super excited and can't wait for what's next.

If you get rejected (and sometimes you will) you should ask politely for feedback.

Getting rejected is shitty, but it happens to us all. At least this way you learn a little along the way – and you’ll be a bit better next time.

For example:
Dear xxxx
I was disappointed to learn that I had not made it through to the interview stage of the process. I would really appreciate any feedback you can give me that will help me with future opportunities. Also, I would still love to work with [company name] so please keep my name on file should future opportunities arise. Whether for permanent or temporary roles.
Kind regards

And you just never know.

Good luck and look out for part 2.