Lockdown Graduate Job Hunt is on

Lockdown Graduate Job Hunt can be hard – This year has been a mix of emotions, especially for graduates. The relief of finally graduating mixed with the disappointment of not being able to celebrate graduation, or anything else for that matter. This year has been a strange one, and sometimes it can feel like a constant flow of setbacks and negative news. Its key to remember that this won’t last forever. Finding a new job in this climate may seem impossible but don’t give up! There are other things you can do in the meantime to make sure you’re ready for when things go back to ‘normal’. Listed below are a few tips to help you in your job search.

Upskill

Whether you’ve been furloughed or are currently unemployed. Now is the perfect time to have a look at the online courses that are out there. There is a huge variety of different online courses available that can be completed from home. This is a great way to upskill and improve your employability as well as building on your CV to make it stand out. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever get this much free time again so make the most of it while you can.

Prepare

When is the last time you updated your CV? CV’s and cover letters should be tailored to each specific job. That doesn’t mean you can’t set up templates now so they’re ready to go. Make sure your CV is up to date with skills, job timelines and referees.’ Also wouldn’t hurt to improve on your professional social media too. Putting in the groundwork now could really aid your success in the future.

Strategize

Spam applying to 1000’s of jobs all day isn’t the best way forward. Create a routine for job searching and give yourself a time to start and, importantly, a time to stop. Make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter to the specific job and company if possible. Sending out fewer but high quality applications is far more effective than sending out 100’s of general ones that can be easily over looked.

Find something else in the meantime

This isn’t ideal for everyone, but if you’re struggling to find that dream job right now it won’t hurt to find something else in the meantime. Focus your search on sectors that have become busier since the pandemic. Such as healthcare, delivery services and communications to find a position to hold you over for the time being. Any work experience is valuable, even if it isn’t exactly what you want.

Don’t be afraid to reach out

There is a whole network of people out there that are in the same position as you so don’t ever feel like you’re alone. Platforms like LinkedIn are a great way to connect with people who can relate to your situation, and recruitment agencies are worth contacting to aid you in your job search. Job hunting can feel overwhelming, and even more so in our current situation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to family, friends, or even strangers to get your mind off it.

If you would like any help or support with finding a Graduate role, then please do contact us and check out our LinkedIn for up to date job posts.