8 Mistakes That Graduates Make When Job Hunting (and How to Avoid Them)
Finding the right post-graduate career can feel like a daunting prospect, but an exciting one too. During your job search you may come across a whole host of opportunities, but it’s important that you’re able to avoid some of the most common mistakes that could be hindering your progress in finding the right role to suit you.
8 graduate job hunting mistakes and how to avoid them
Some of the most common job hunting mistakes made by graduates can seem small, but they could be having a big impact on your efforts to find your next role. From not personalising your CV to not looking at offers in enough detail, we’ll take you through each one to help you achieve future success.
Using a generic CV or cover letter
It can be difficult putting together a quality CV and cover letter, and with that in mind you might be tempted to only do it once and send it off to multiple companies. However, using the same CV for every role at various organisations, without tailoring them, could make you appear disinterested or even unqualified.
It’s important to consider carefully the details of the role you’re applying for, as well as the values of the business, and ensure that your CV or cover letter are adequately customised to boost your chances of getting an interview.
Only searching and applying for roles online
With so many different job portals now available online, you may fall into the trap of only searching for your graduate job through these outlets. While they can be great resources, you could be missing out on opportunities from your wider network. This may limit your exposure to potential employers and reduce your chance to learn more about job openings or in-market sector updates.
Consider other avenues like career fairs, alumni events or other professional networking events in your considered field.
Ignoring the power of LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn profile could be a make or break factor in your professional career and development. An incomplete, or even unprofessional, LinkedIn profile could hurt your chances with potential employers.
Be careful about what you’re posting and ensuring it is appropriate for the audience, and consider regularly checking your profile so it includes the most up to date information about your background and experience.
Lack of job interview preparation
As a graduate, you may be under the impression that it’s easier to get a job because of your degree. However, it’s still crucial to research the company, work culture and job role that you’re hoping to obtain. A lack of preparation can be very obvious in a job interview, so don’t be caught short.
Take the time to do some additional research and you may find it pays off.
Focusing only on salary
While salary is a huge factor in the current market, with everyone looking to try and get on the job ladder at a good wage, it’s important to remember that it’s not always the be-all and end-all. After all, increases in salary can come with more experience, so look at other factors too when applying for your next job.
Taking factors like learning and development opportunities, company culture and career growth into consideration could mean that you walk away with a higher chance of job satisfaction in the long run.
Applying for jobs without meeting basic requirements
It’s crucial that you don’t aim too high in your job search, or you could be setting yourself up for a fall. Look carefully at your qualifications and experience and apply for the roles that match your level. If you don’t meet even the basic requirements, you’ll likely experience more rejection and can be frustrating for both you and the employers.
Undervaluing soft skills
Many graduates will place higher value on technical skills and the ability to impress employers in these areas, forgetting that some of the most sought-after talents are actually soft skills. The likes of good teamwork, communication and problem-solving are all highly valued by employers, so don’t assume these are insignificant.
Take some time to identify where you might have demonstrated these skills in your previous experience and be sure to mention it when you can.
Not evaluating offers before accepting
When you do get that all-important job offer after your extensive search, you might be tempted to accept it without a second thought. However, you shouldn’t rush into accepting a job offer without considering factors like the finer details of the job responsibilities, work-life balance and what the long-term impact might be on your career.
Not every job offer is a good one, so be sure to look into it so that you don’t end up feeling dissatisfied later down the line.
To find out more about finding the perfect graduate role, take a look at our Early Careers hub where you’ll find information about the job opportunities here at SEFE.
To find out more about careers at SEFE please visit our homepage.
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