Graduate Advice

Now that you’ve said goodbye to the Student Union and you have your degree result maybe you have a clear idea of what you want to do for a graduate job. On the other hand maybe you don’t have a clue. Often the most difficult part of searching for a graduate job is actually knowing where to start.

If you are clear about what you want from a graduate job you’ll probably find it quite easy to decide which vacancies have your name on. Sometimes the choices and options you have available are so wide that they can seem impossible to make.

Here at EPL Recruitment we provide career advice and assistance to Graduates for opportunities available within the area of finance.

It is important that you take a step back and don’t just start applying frantically for the first graduate jobs you see. Begin by evaluating your skills for the job market. Do you feel you have a lot to offer future employers? And what kind of graduate job will keep you satisfied?

Points you may want to consider about yourself

• What kind of working environment do you enjoy?
• What are you good at?
• What are your priorities – work, life, money?
• How do you interact with other people?
• What areas of employment may interest you?
• Have you done your research into various graduate jobs?
• What are your personal circumstances?
• Are you making your own choices or just taking the advice of other people?

Review your career skills

Evaluate your skills and experiences – consider your non-academic achievements, such as computer skills and languages. Take advantage of gaining experience by pursuing opportunities to increase your skills with additional courses, more extracurricular activities or work placements. What career skills are you missing? These sorts of things look great on graduate job applications.

Prepare examples – you need to make sure you can demonstrate your career skills. Write a list of solid examples of your experiences.

If you find yourself working in a mundane position following graduation it may be worth doing some relevant part-time work to improve your skills and make yourself as employable as possible. Perhaps you could do a summer placement with a company you are interested in.

How we can help

If you know what qualifications, skills and experiences you have to offer potential employers, your next step is to figure out what your options are. To assist you with that we are on hand to talk you through such matters and guide you into suitable employment.