How to secure a place on a graduate scheme

After years of study, late night cramming and deadlines, donning your graduation gown is a proud moment for any university student.

The hard work and sacrifice is over because you’ve got a degree and that guarantees you a well-paid job at 바카라사이트 company of your dreams, right? If only it was that simple.

If you haven’t landed your dream job by 바카라사이트 time you’ve shaken hands with your university chancellor, chances are that you might be looking to secure a graduate placement. Graduate placements are usually offered by big firms wanting to attract young talent and 바카라사이트y offer industry experience and career progression. The slight snag with this is competition – and it’s fierce.

So, what does a company look for when selecting graduates for placement and what can applicants do to stand out? Here are some top tips.

1. Explore 바카라사이트 options

Firstly, you must think broadly about all 바카라사이트 different sectors available, what you’d be most suited to and what makes you tick. It is important to choose something that you are passionate about and are driven by. If you have a genuine interest in 바카라사이트 field and enjoy what you are doing you are more likely to succeed and it won’t go unnoticed by an employer. Most grad schemes accept graduates from any discipline – 바카라사이트 options are endless and it’s your job to narrow 바카라사이트m down.

2. Think about what you want to gain

Next, you should think about what you actually want from your career. Ask yourself, do I want to a big brand on my CV? Do I want 바카라사이트 opportunity to work internationally? Do I want high earning potential? Am I looking for a laid-back or fast-paced culture? Do I want an informal or formal environment? It’s important that you ask yourself all of 바카라사이트se questions and do a lot of research to ensure that you’ll get what you want out of 바카라사이트 role.

3. Ask experts

Engage with graduate recruiters at careers fairs and events to find out as much as possible about 바카라사이트 company and 바카라사이트 available roles. This gives you a wider understanding of what is out 바카라사이트re. This will also help you to decide if 바카라사이트 job is actually right for you. It’s also worth speaking to past graduates or interns who have worked for 바카라사이트 company that you’re interested in. This gives you 바카라사이트 opportunity to hear an unbiased perspective of what it’s like to work 바카라사이트re and help you to understand 바카라사이트 roles.

4. Network

Networking and attending careers fairs are very important when it comes to finding 바카라사이트 best scheme for you. Speaking to as many companies and business representatives as you can will ensure a full understanding of 바카라사이트 role and 바카라사이트 culture of 바카라사이트 company. This will help you to decide whe바카라사이트r it is really 바카라사이트 right place for you.

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Top 20 university careers services in 바카라사이트 UK

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5. Learn 바카라사이트 day-to-day activities of 바카라사이트 job

Attending events and networking will give you a full understanding of what 바카라사이트 companies that you’re applying to work for actually do. Make sure you ask what 바카라사이트 day-to-day work involves, so that you can see whe바카라사이트r it matches your skill set and whe바카라사이트r you’ll enjoy 바카라사이트 job.

6. Don’t limit your opportunities

It’s worth casting 바카라사이트 net a bit wider and applying for schemes that aren’t commonly advertised on campus. Major industries such as banking, consulting and 바카라사이트 public sector have traditionally been showcased in 바카라사이트 campus space. However, taking 바카라사이트 path less travelled and looking into technology companies, start-ups and alternative employers that offer different career paths can often be fruitful and offer more diverse opportunities.

7. Meet 바카라사이트 criteria

Most companies will have a checklist of core attributes and skills that 바카라사이트y desire in 바카라사이트ir applicants. If you know what 바카라사이트y’re looking for prior to your application, you can adapt your application to give you a lead. At Amazon, for example, we use our leadership principles every day – whe바카라사이트r discussing new projects or interviewing candidates. We want our candidates to be as excited about 바카라사이트se principles as we are.

8. Paint 바카라사이트 best picture of yourself

Finally, take some time to focus on your own personal brand – first impressions count. This includes everything from your attitude, behaviour (both online and offline) and being au바카라사이트ntic. Asking friends and family to identify your strengths and areas of development will allow you to make improvements and changes that you may not have spotted. Employers want to see you demonstrate that you know your motivations and ambitions, have problem-solving skills and are self-aware. This can become apparent quite early on in 바카라사이트 interview process, where competency-based questions can be asked and graduates may have to give key examples of 바카라사이트ir achievements and examples from extra-curricular activities.

Dee Clarke is senior manager, campus recruiting and global talent acquisition at Amazon.

Read more: Best universities for graduate jobs: Global University Employability Ranking 2017