Job tips for fresh grads: how to get hired

Graduating university and applying for jobs for the first time can bring waves of excitement and anxiety. We sat down with Jack Rogers, a Principal Consultant at Parker Bridge, who offered insights and tips for students entering the job market to help ease their nerves. From how to make your application stand out, through to how to nail an interview and secure your first role, we cover it all. 

Showcase your experience – big or small 

The biggest mistake you can make at the start of your job search is having a blank CV. Jack advises us not to underestimate the importance of any work experience, no matter how big or small. This could include part-time café work or any casual retail job.  

It’s a common mistake that graduates make, but even the smallest jobs highlight that you’re employable, dependable, and have experience working in a team. These are all qualities every employer values and look for when hiring.  

Jack’s final tip about CVs is to make sure you always have a master version that you can copy and tweak for each role you apply for. This way, you can highlight relevant skills and experiences without overhauling your CV every time. 

Dress for success: nailing the interview 

Jack’s first word of advice is to dress to impress. “There’s something called the ‘five-second interview,’ where you’re judged on appearance alone before you even sit down.” He suggests aiming to be the best dressed person in the room and, when you look good, you’ll most likely feel good. That will help you feel confident as you walk into the interview room.  

Make sure you research the company and the interviewers in advance. You can use LinkedIn or the company’s website to find out more about them and a little bit of research can go a long way. It not only shows you’re interested and have done your homework but might help you find some common ground with the interviewers, creating natural talking points.  

Finally, Jack recommends arriving 5 to 10 minutes before the interview, and make sure you’ve thoroughly read the job description for the role. 

Networking for newbies 

If you’re keen to start networking but feel a bit awkward about it, that’s okay! Jack recommends meeting with a university student adviser and asking about upcoming industry events, internships or professional body associations where you can connect with others in your field. If you’re entering a career that has a professional body such as accounting or engineering, join these organisations, follow them on LinkedIn and turn up to their events. The hardest part is putting yourself out there and showing up, but once you do, you never know who you might meet. 

Your digital footprint matters 

Your online presence is something you really need to think about as you transition from student to professional. Getting yourself set up on LinkedIn is great, but employers can and will look at your other social media profiles such as Facebook and Instagram. While you don’t have to remove every photo and  start clean, you should make sure to avoid any controversial content or unprofessional photos that are public for everyone to see. Employers generally want to see that you’re mature and ready to kickstart your career, so make sure anything they can find online supports that. 

The post interview follow up 

If you really enjoyed the interview Jack recommends reaching out 24 hours later to express your interest in the role. Say thank you and close it off swiftly, keep it as short and sweet as you can. If the hiring manager or recruiter said they’ll let you know their decision by a certain date and you still haven’t heard anything, don’t be shy and reach out to follow up. This reiterates your interest in the role and shows you’re proactive.  

Navigating salary  

Discussing money can be intimidating but Jack says that while salary matters, early career opportunities and growth should matter more when you’re just starting out. When considering the offer make sure you think about where this role could take you 5 or 10 years from now. If there’s good growth opportunities, there will most likely be the chance to increase your salary as you gain experience.  

If you do feel as if you’ve been low-balled, look at job profiles online and see what the national average salary is. If you decide to negotiate, approach it with clear reasons explaining why you feel the role’s responsibilities or your qualifications justify it. And remember, the worst they can say is no, so don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. 

Handling rejection  

Even the most confident candidates face rejection. It’s almost inevitable that at some point in your life you’ll face rejection while on your job search, but don’t give up! Jack encourages asking for feedback if you don’t get the job. The hiring manager should be able to give you some constructive feedback if you don’t get the role which you can study to help you improve next time. Remember, if you feel you totally blew the interview, it’s most likely just the nerves. Nerves are normal, and most interviewers look beyond them to evaluate your skills and potential.