Four ways to make yourself more employable

They say it isn’t easy in this day and age to land the job of your dreams the moment you leave university. But there are certainly ways you can improve your chances of stepping onto the career ladder after you graduate. To gain business skills in preparation for the world of work, why not consider taking a new qualification?

It’s also worth thinking about what you can do to improve your job prospects while you are studying. Most undergraduates have several months of holiday each year, so this could be the ideal time to do an internship, rewrite your CV, and take a look at how you might come across to your future employer on social media.

1. Additional qualifications

If you’re coming towards the end of your degree, you want tangible skills in the area in which you hope to work, and you like the sound of an extended year of study, why not take an additional qualification before diving into the workplace? There are institutes across the globe in which you can learn key business skills such as project management, finance, marketing and entrepreneurship. In the UK there are plenty of business schools to choose from, including Canterbury Business School and LSBF, which offer a variety of postgraduate courses and diplomas.

2. Experience, experience, experience!

‘Experience’ – it’s a buzzword in the world of entry-level jobs, with some citing that many graduates just don’t have the transferable skills needed to enter the workplace, despite their academic credentials. In a competitive graduate market, it makes sense to gain as much experience in the field you want to work in as you can. There are plenty of resources out there to help you find placements, internships and volunteering opportunities. As a starting point, do some online research or contact your university’s careers service.

3. Take a look at your CV

Your CV is a vital introduction to who you are, as it’ll help to inform your prospective employer which skills and experience you’ve gained, and where your interests lie. But have you ever considered how the layout of your CV could affect your chances of landing an interview? Your CV should typically be no more than two pages long. It’s also important to keep the format clear and concise, with enough space in between paragraphs to allow the reader to scan your CV, and pick up information about you as quickly as possible.

4. Social media and privacy settings

Having spent several years at university, there are likely to be at least a couple of photos on your social media accounts that you’re not so proud of. If other students can see updates about your latest night out, the chances are that your prospective employer can too. Put yourself in the employer’s shoes- they are looking for professional and reliable employees. It’ll take no time at all to adjust your privacy settings on your social media accounts, so you can portray yourself to the outside world in the best (and most professional) light possible.