HELPING GRADUATES STAND OUT IN A NEW WORLD

Milkround has served up its top tips to help graduates find their dream jobs in a virtual world.

“Don’t be afraid,” says Rebecca. “You just need to get used to the new ways and you gain confidence as you become more familiar with the technology.”

Refresh your skills: Take up one of the free courses available online (for example, on Google, Hubspot or Linkedin), and learn how to use relevant digital tools. It’s all about bolstering skills you already have to make yourself more employable. Build your careers network: Be sure to keep up to date with what your university is up to and attend virtual careers fairs. Don’t be afraid to reach out to careers services after graduation or to relevant professional contacts to check in, seek advice and build your network.

Prepare for a new type of interview:

Traditional face-to-face interviews are difficult, but socially distanced video interviews pose a wholly different challenge and are likely to stay for the longer term.

It’s key that graduates practise presenting to a camera, and don’t be afraid to reach out to the employer to make sure you’ve got the correct tech set up ahead of the interview.

Reflect on the last year: Consider what you’ve learned during the pandemic and showcase any proactive activities. Think about how you’ve had to adapt during remote learning, key skills you’ve acquired, and how these experiences might translate into your future career.

Remember, all work experience has value:

Finding any type of part-time work is a good boost to job prospects, whether it’s a stop-gap job to keep you busy and/or paid, work shadowing or participating in a virtual internship. All work experience can help you stand out.

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