A guide to getting your first job
How to write a great CV
Having a great CV is the best way to make that first impression. Here are a few of our top tips:
Be truthful and authentic
Tailor the CV to the application as best you can
Check your spelling and formatting
Get friends and family to read it over for you.
Tailor it to the organisation
Check and check again
Identify your USPs
5 tips for a successful interview
1. Be clear on what you're applying for
Read the job specification thoroughly, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the role and responsibilities so you can directly relate your previous experience to it and the organisation.
2. Be sure to do your homework
Researching the company goes without saying. They want to see evidence that you have genuinely thought about why you want to work for them. Check the website, the annual report, and press coverage to get a fuller understanding - and then, importantly, have an opinion.
3. Get familiar with common questions
A number of questions come up in almost every interview, so it’s a good idea to think through answers that put your skills and experience in a positive light and rehearse them in advance. Some examples might be:
Why did you leave your last position?
What have you done that demonstrated personal initiative?
Where do you see yourself in 3/5 years from now?
4. Nail the STAR technique
The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) model is highly recommended by interviewers and HR experts. By structuring your answer in this way you are giving yourself the opportunity to explain what the task or problem was that you were faced with, how you tackled it and what was the outcome of your actions.
5. Come armed with questions of your own
Being proactive and asking your interviewer questions can be a very effective way to make yourself stand out from other applicants. Asking relevant questions demonstrates that you are interested in the company and the specific role that you are interviewing for.
Take the job finder quiz
Maybe you haven't yet decided what type of career suits you. If you're still unsure, why not try out the UCAS Buzz Quiz.
Find out what your strengths are, what jobs might be suitable for you, and even what celebrities you're most like.