Four Steps to a Dream Graduate Job

Every summer a flood of newly qualified graduates sweep into the employment arena with up-to-the-minute skills and research and a real appetite to strike out into their profession of choice - the question is how do you go about getting your dream job?

Whilst the past three years have dealt a rather tumultuous hand to the employment market, with a rise in unemployment and a recent budget that threatens to undermine our climb out of the red pit, the economy is showing signs of growth and there are some key steps to take that can help you bag a job in your industry of choice.

Get experienced

Getting some experience does wonders not just for bolstering your CV and generating contacts, but also in helping you establish how the industry actually works in day-to-day life, what roles are involved and how they interplay with one another. A stint on the shop floor may well give you a completely fresh perspective about where you want to position yourself in the market.

Specialise

Finding a newly developing niche in the market is a great way of forging your own route into a preferred profession - whether you're looking at manufacturing or the more customer focused end of the spectrum with sales and marketing jobs, getting experience and becoming an expert in a new niche field will position you at the cutting edge of the sector.

Volunteering

Whether you choose to go abroad and get some experience whilst also soaking up a bit of sun and some culture, or stay at home and get some hands on experience with local community projects, volunteering opportunities are available within a vast range of industries and can sometimes be the key to developing a CV that stands out from the crowd. Volunteering shows you've used your initiative, are dedicated to your cause and have already gained some first hand experience in your industry of choice.

Be proactive

In a delicate employment climate it pays to stick your neck out - waiting for a position to be advertised is not the way to land your perfect job. Research your market, your preferred companies and contact them directly; understand and articulate how you could benefit their business and help them maximise on their profits.

Sarah Maple also writes about marketing jobs in addition to current graduate opportunities. You can also find out further information about sales recruitment by visiting BMS.