The summer is here. For finalists, that means graduation is just a few short weeks away. Some students will go on to study at postgraduate level. Others will decide further education is not for them and no doubt have already started seeking relevant employment. There are many ways in the current era of finding work, but in a competitive jobs market, some creativity may be required to land your ideal job.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Look to the University

The first place you should consider, and probably the only one you haven’t considered, is the institute you’ve just left. Universities aren’t just educational establishments. They are also big employers for local communities. Lecturing is just one role, but you could be a lab assistant, work in marketing, student liaison, research (although PhD students tend to be prioritised). Don’t overlook the university because it can open up some big doors for you. Employees at universities tend to find stable work and great career opportunities.

Polish Up Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn and other professional sites boast that many people find jobs through the site, jobs that are not yet advertised and may never be. Networking is a great way to find employment but it’s important to be as concise as possible about your qualifications and experiences. Make sure you switch on your availability for work and you can expect to receive enquiries about your employment status. Spending time on social media is not usually something people consider a good use of time but engaging and connecting on LinkedIn could help your career.

Start Up Your Own Business

Nearly everyone has thought about starting their own business at some point. The last 10 years has seen the largest period of growth in small businesses in a long time. The reasons are many and widely discussed. The point is that it’s never been easier or more popular to start a business. So before you enter the world of work, and possibly spend months seeking the right job, why not consider your options? It may or may not be related to your qualifications, but you will have an opportunity to build some skills to put you ahead of the pack.

Careers Fairs

Daunting though they are, it’s far easier to remember a face and a voice than a name on a piece of paper. Careers fairs work because they allow you to express the real you to potential employers, unbound by the limits of the application form and the CV. Sometimes, what will set you apart from another candidate is in how well the person or people you spoke to warmed to you during an informal discussion. Careers fairs aren’t just for employers, they are also places to find recruiters for specific careers and industries.