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How do I make a CV to apply for a job?

Graduates.. How long did it take you to find a good job and what did you do to make CV stand out?

  • I just can't seem to find a job... I have just finished my degree with a really good grade (1:1). I have tried monster and other graduate websites and applied for loads with ...show more

  • Answer:

    I know the feeling. I was lucky to get a good job through a position I held as a student, but many of my friends weren't so lucky. Unfortunately a 1st is no guarantee of a job. Are you applying for Graduate jobs or just general office jobs? If it's the latter, a 1st is a hindrance rather than a help. If it's the former, my suggestions would be: * Visit local agencies (Adecco, Reed, etc) and discuss job options. Even if you don't get a job fully relevant to your planned career, gaining more work experience could help you to get where you want to go. It's also worth searching for agencies that specialise in your desired career area and sending your CV off to them, or giving them a call. * Can you still use you Uni's careers support? Many universities offer support to graduates for some time after they have graduated. They can help you improve your CV and cover letters, test and interview practice questions, and general advice about how to kick-start your career. * Your CV: It's absolutely essential you get other people to look over it. I've just advertised for a position at my work, and many of the CVs I've received were full of errors, or just weren't focused enough on the skills relevant to the job. Getting an objective opinion can do wonders and can help pick up on things you may not have noticed. If you're not getting replies from companies, you are well within your rights to contact them and ask why you weren't considered. As a note, I find that the CVs that stand out most are the ones where the cover letter shows that the applicant really wants the job, and doesn't just list their skills. It's all about the personal touch. *Focus and do your research - sometimes quality is better than quantity. Once you've found several jobs you want to apply for, do some thorough research into the companies, and then carefully tailor your CVs to those job specs. It takes a lot of time, but you'll be far more likely to get considered for interviews. Anyway, hope that helps. If you're still stuck, some web surfing will bring up hundreds of tips and advice for getting a job. Good luck!

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there is nothing wrong with your approach or cv, its the job market that is saturated, unfortunately.however, how most people get jobs is through a contact, which is not fair, but it works.its not what you know, its who you know. your best bet is to try and network with customers (if you were in a part time job of some sort) and ask them what field they are in and if you could get the number of their human resource department. be sly and confident-it gets people through doors. im sorri, but good is out and bad is in!!

xyz

Your problem might be no relevant work experience. I would advise you to get some work (relevant to what you want to do) even if it is unpaid. Do it for a few months and when you send you CV out you will have three things A) a first class honours degree B) work experience C) Contacts you made in the industry Also, in the UK Alevels are important when firms screen for interviews so even you went to cambridge or whatever and have bad alevel resutls you wont make it to the interview it sucks becoz alevels are something you did when u were 18 but this is the stupid UK system! *that is why most firms ask for a standard number of UCAS points* Good luck and remember experience is king!! get some on your cv!

David B

With a good grade like that it should be fairly easy to get noticed, on monster make sure that you give your CV a good title. I think that you've set your sights a bit high - there are plenty of jobs out there but not that many earning 16 grand plus. Your best bet is to go to the type of companys directly that deal with the line of work you want to do, do not go to the big national agencies try ones that are specific to your line of work. It took me 3 years to get a good job - but i had to get a Masters and graduate top of the class to do so.

I8myjob

It would help if you stated on your question what is your degree. I am a graduate as well (architecture) and I can assure you it's not very difficult to find a job in London in architecture. I advise you to stop looking on websites. Go to job agencies yourself with a copy of your CV and hand it over to them. Buy newspapers (evening standard has a huge section of jobs everyday and the loot too, I'm not sure if the job section is daily). Another technique is to make a thorough research of companies that you would fancy to work in, and apply directly to them. Sometimes, big companies post vacancies on their sites. I have a similar problem I am over qualified as well, and to get a minor job (in administration) I had to lie and say I never graduated. I would love to help you more, but I am running out of ideas. Good luck with your job hunting!

If you want to stand out try the north american look to your cv. We call it a resume. Some even put their picture on it. You may want to seem very modest. It could be different. Luck

Wonka

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