Preparing for success: our three-step guide to finding your dream grad role

At 4most, we take on a range of graduates each year who we nurture through the business. As we are currently in the middle of our application process for 2021, 4most Consultant, Eddy Eyad, provides some practical top tips to help you boost your chances of landing that dream role.

1.     Know what to look for and where to find it.

It is great to have a specific career path in mind, but do not let this, or your degree discipline, stop you from casting your net a little wider. Creating a list of all your skill set and interests will give you a more accurate picture of the roles that you would be suited for, and most importantly, the ones that you would enjoy. If you are struggling for direction, you can focus on the skills you want to develop and hunt down opportunities that will put you in a position to do so.

Once you have identified the types of roles that you want to go after, do not just stick to your university job board, take advantage of an array of platforms to make sure you are giving yourself the best chance of finding the right match. Having an active LinkedIn profile, engaging in content, and seeking out relevant connections will boost your visibility to companies and recruiters, and the jobs tab is a great resource for scoping out fresh listings.

There is also a plethora of graduate job boards online and consider putting in some extra time into googling specific roles or companies that pique your interest.

2.     Know yourself, not just the company.

When preparing to apply or interview for a graduate position, it is easy to focus all your time on learning as much as you possibly can about the firm you are approaching. While this is undoubtedly important, it is crucial to remember a company needs to understand who you are in terms of your skillset and previous experiences, if they are going to be convinced to take you on. You should be able to clearly elaborate on the things listed in your CV, cover letter and/or application form.

A great way to do this is to identify several go-to scenarios, either from your studies or work experience, and build model answers using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results) framework. These should cover the main things employers in your chosen field look for like teamwork, technical ability, self-drive etc. Once you are thoroughly familiarised with these model answers, you will be equipped to tackle most application and interview questions that come your way.

It is advantageous to understand why you are applying for a particular opportunity as this will validate your motivation and enthusiasm to your potential employer. Ask yourself why this role? Why this company? Why this Industry? The strategies discussed in point 1 will help with this process.

3.     Stay positive, move forward.

Securing a graduate position is a competitive game and there are often hundreds or even thousands of people going after the same role. Getting turned down can be disheartening but it should be viewed as an opportunity to proactively seek feedback in aid of refining your application and interview technique.

Creating a tracker, perhaps in Excel, will help you to document your progress with each application. This will give you a structured place to log feedback on positive impressions as well as areas to improve, making it easier to identify aspects to build on. Additionally, it is worth keeping a record of the changes you make to your CV throughout your job search as this will help you actively fine tune its content and maximise your chances of making it through the screening process.

Final words…

All this preparation could go to waste if you are too tense during an interview, so just remember to smile! Nerves can often get the best of us, the endorphins released when you smile can go a long way to help de-stress and relax you. This is a powerful technique especially when participating in telephone interviews, as smiling will naturally soften your tonality and make you appear more personable.

You can find out more and apply for our graduate opportunities on the careers page of our website.