It is no secret that the recession has hit the employment market hard. Young people are among those most affected and a recent poll of final year students found that nearly half believed their job prospects were "very limited."
There is a lot of competition for graduate jobs, but whilst applying for jobs there are a number of things you can do which will enhance your CV, boosting your future employment prospects.
Graduate placements and internships are a great way of gaining on the job experience. Most importantly, the placement allows you to put into practise the skills and knowledge already learnt about your industry, giving you a real taste of what a career in that role would be like.
Work placements allow you to build contacts within your industry and give you the opportunity to prove yourself to an employer. Some work placements lead to full time jobs, but if yours doesn't, having the experience on your CV will show your commitment to the job.
Employers increasingly want new recruits to be able to add value to their business straight away. Work placements and internships not only build your confidence, but also teach you a level of competence other graduates won't have without 'on the job' experience.
Work placements are particularly useful for those who have chosen non-vocational degrees such as those within the arts or humanities. One job where work experience is vital is that of a journalist.
Journalism is an industry where competition is fierce and is a business where it is often said 'It's not what you know, but who you know'. Work experience is imperative for anyone wanting to be a journalist, as it gives you the opportunity to network.
Another career where work placements are crucial is politics, gaining experience in public bodies administration or from shadowing an local MP allows you to gain an insight into the profession and the everyday tasks involved.
To organise work placements you usually have to contact the employer directly, but if you are unsure where to start, enlist the help of a graduate recruiter. Graduate recruitment agencies are often industry specific and some not only find graduate jobs, but also suitable work placements.
There is a lot of competition for graduate jobs, but whilst applying for jobs there are a number of things you can do which will enhance your CV, boosting your future employment prospects.
Graduate placements and internships are a great way of gaining on the job experience. Most importantly, the placement allows you to put into practise the skills and knowledge already learnt about your industry, giving you a real taste of what a career in that role would be like.
Work placements allow you to build contacts within your industry and give you the opportunity to prove yourself to an employer. Some work placements lead to full time jobs, but if yours doesn't, having the experience on your CV will show your commitment to the job.
Employers increasingly want new recruits to be able to add value to their business straight away. Work placements and internships not only build your confidence, but also teach you a level of competence other graduates won't have without 'on the job' experience.
Work placements are particularly useful for those who have chosen non-vocational degrees such as those within the arts or humanities. One job where work experience is vital is that of a journalist.
Journalism is an industry where competition is fierce and is a business where it is often said 'It's not what you know, but who you know'. Work experience is imperative for anyone wanting to be a journalist, as it gives you the opportunity to network.
Another career where work placements are crucial is politics, gaining experience in public bodies administration or from shadowing an local MP allows you to gain an insight into the profession and the everyday tasks involved.
To organise work placements you usually have to contact the employer directly, but if you are unsure where to start, enlist the help of a graduate recruiter. Graduate recruitment agencies are often industry specific and some not only find graduate jobs, but also suitable work placements.
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