Graduates - Where to Look: Job Seeking Resources

Websites

Job websites come in many shapes and sizes. Some sites might be useful for locating part-time jobs but are less useful for finding jobs suitable for graduates. Other websites specialise in jobs for specific groups of people such as graduates or specific ethnic groups. Other sites specialise in different professions sites specific to certain areas of the country.

How good a job website it depends on what you are looking to get from it, so it is impossible to provide a comprehensive list of the best job sites. A good way to find useful sites is to ask your tutors, careers advisors or friends who are also looking for jobs.

Searching companies’ sites can give you a head start on the competition as companies often advertise vacancies on their sites first. If you know which companies you want to work fro it can be as simple as checking back with the site every week or so.

Email alerts are one of the most useful functions of the job sites. You can register with the site and get them to email you about jobs that are relevant. Once you have decided which sites have the sort of vacancies you’re interested in, see if they offer this service. The best idea is to initially set your search terms quite wide and them streamline your search if you get too many irrelevant job details sent to you. For example, if you are looking for journalism jobs in London, try picking any publishing jobs in the South East. It is better to have a scroll past a few inappropriate jobs than have your perfect job pass you by.

Publications

Although the internet as undoubtedly changed job hunting, there is still a good chance that finding a job will require you to refer to magazines, newspapers and journals. Here are some of the most important types of publications.

Employer brochures contain information about companies and their training schemes; you’ll find them in careers services or direct from the company.

Career magazines contain essential advice and information that will help you with whatever your career aspirations. A short tour around your careers service should show that there are plenty of titles aimed at getting you your perfect job.

Some newspapers carry graduate vacancies in supplements and sections. You may be able to check for these opportunities on the newspaper’s websites.

Jobs advertised in regional newspapers may not be advertised as graduate vacancies but small to medium enterprises may also be looking for graduate-quality staff.

Trade magazines have information on the latest developments and vacancies, although there is more of a bias to existing professionals rather than those just starting out. If you’re sure of your career destination then it is advisable to be reading the specific trade magazine for your industry to keep up to speed and prepare yourself for those tricky industry-specific questions at interviews. In most cases these magazines are accessible on the internet.

Organisations

Careers services are an important facility for students and graduates. They are free, have staff trained to a very high level and are full of resources to help you get a job. When it comes to finding jobs they also publish their own vacancy lists of companies and positions available in your local area. The lists differ from service to service so ask your careers adviser what is available.

Most careers services continue to offer advise to graduates up to five years after graduation. If you move away from your university after you graduate you may be entitled to use the facilities on offer at other universities within your new area.

If you know what area you want to go into when you graduate you should consider joining the relevant professional body or chartered institute for your industry. They may be responsible for producing a trade magazine, which you might get as a member. Registered members might also have access to a database of available jobs. Mist professional bodies provide a reduced student or graduate membership fee.

Create Your Own Job

There are a variety of resources available to job hunters who go it alone. Your university’s alumni association will be able to put you in touch with graduates who have gone into the field that you are interested in. Some associations also run special networking events where alumni can make contacts.

Undertaking work experience with a company could be anther way to break into your chosen field. Your chances of being taken on permanently will depend upon the type of work experience you undertake, but a stint of work experience could put you in the right place at the right time when an opportunity arises.

Similarly, undertaking temporary work could lead to a more permanent position in your chosen field. This approach works particularly well if you can get a temp placement in company you would ultimately like to work for. This means that you can get a foot in the door and start learning about how the company works and getting to know other members of staff. Then it’s a case of biding your time and waiting for a vacancy to arise.