How to Approach Your First Job: Expert Advice and Common Mistakes

The first job is a big milestone in anyone’s life, as it introduces a person to a career journey made of new challenges, opportunities, and life lessons. Finding this very first job, however, can be quite daunting, especially in today’s competitive world of jobs. According to experts, an appropriate approach plays the role of success versus disappointment. Expert advice on approaching your first job, the common mistakes to avoid, and an insight into UK universities that produce the most recruitable students are looked upon in this article.

Expert Advice on Approaching Your First Job

Personalising Applications: One of the major tips which recruitment experts give is that related to personalizing applications, which includes writing a tailored CV and covering letter for every job one applies to. “An employer can instantly tell if a generic CV is sent in, and it gives a bad impression of the candidate,” says Sarah McGuire, careers coach for Graduate Prospects. Again, research through the company website and the role, ensuring that relevant skills and experiences featured within the job specification are highlighted.

Networking is the Key: Dr. Kate Jones, career development professional at the University of Manchester, says, “Networking is one of those most underused weapons in the job seeker’s arsenal. Networking can open up routes that may be impossible via a CV. Many jobs are filled by personal recommendations or word of mouth before advertizing has even begun to take place.” Attending career fairs, joining professional organizations, and participating on LinkedIn may facilitate connections with prospective employers.

Practicum and Work Experience: Most professionals articulate that an internship or part-time job is critical while in university if one wishes to present themselves as an attractive candidate for their maiden full-time employment. “Experience often tips the balance between two otherwise equally qualified candidates,” notes Mark Allerton, a human resources consultant. Indeed, a report by the UK’s Institute of Student Employers showed that 70% of employers tend to favor candidates with relevant work experience.

Be Proactive and Resilient: Finding a job may be an involving process, and it’s where resilience seems to mean everything. Joanna Patterson is a career counselor at the University of Leeds. She encourages the student to always be proactive in their approach and stay motivated. “Job searching is a numbers game. Expect rejections but learn from them. Every interview or feedback is a chance to improve,” she added.

Common Mistakes When Seeking Your First Job

Lack of Research: Probably the biggest mistake young job seekers make in finding a job is that they do not research the company they apply to. This can easily lead to generic applications or performing poorly in interviews. Many recruiters look for candidates that are really interested in their company and understand its values and objectives. Without proper research, this opportunity is lost.

Being too choosy too early: Certainly, it is very tempting to want to land this so-called dream job immediately. However, professionals advise that at the beginning, one should be open to different types of roles and industries. This slashes opportunities because applications have just been riveted to specific companies or sectors alone. Most entry-level jobs provide good experience and skills that serve as stepping stones to more coveted ones later on.

Focusing Too Much on Salary: While salary is important, pros caution that placing too much emphasis on pay in the beginning of your career can be a mistake. Laura Williams, an employment consultant says learning opportunities are the key. “Look for roles that offer professional development and mentorship. These are far more valuable in the long run than a slightly higher starting salary,” she says.

Poor CV and Application Presentation: A CV that is full of errors, inconsistencies, or unclear formatting will rule a candidate out of the running pretty fast. As career advisors generally suggest, proofread a number of times and show to professionals or peers to ensure that your CV is polished in appearance. Second, make sure your CV is clearly organized and the sections within it are clear and easily readable, which in turn highlight your most relevant experiences.

UK Universities with the Most Recruitable Students

Employability varies from one university to another and depends on the various programs offered. Over time, a number of universities in the UK have gained prominence for offering very employable graduates who are sought after by a number of industries. Some UK universities stand prominent in the Times Higher Education Global University Employability Ranking 2023 basing their teaching off giving the students those skills and experience that will enable them to fit in the job market:

Oxford and Cambridge Universities: Consistently rated as among the best in the world, the demand for its graduates from the employers is likewise very high. Equally, both of these have traditionally forged close liaisons with key employers, offering wide-ranging career services to help students find their recruiters.

London School of Economics and Political Science: Though its focus is concentrated on business, economics, and social sciences, LSE does churn out graduates who find employment with large consulting firms, investment banks, and international organizations.

Imperial College London: Grounded in the core of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, its graduates prove to be very employable, especially in industries such as engineering and technology, inclusive of health care.

University of Warwick: Warwick is traditionally known to be tough in business and management studies. Most of its students are hunted by employers in the financial and consulting sectors.

University College London (UCL): UCL also holds a good reputation, particularly among students of arts, humanities and social sciences. The wide-reaching programs offered by the university enable them to have versatile career options.

First Job Statistics for UK

Full-time UK graduates who secured employment within six months of completing their course. According to the Office for National Statistics, 76% in 2023. However, there is considerable variation in the type of job and starting salary, depending on both the subject studied and the institution attended. For example, STEM graduates find better-paid employment more quickly than arts and humanities students. In the UK, graduates start off with an average salary of around £24,000 to £27,000 per year.

The same ISE reports that graduate recruitment jumped by 9% in 2023, with technology, finance, and health leading sectors that recruited new graduates. These figures mean that since the pandemic, the job market is getting back to its feet, and graduates with the right set of skills and experience have some pretty decent opportunities.

Conclusion

Planning and character presence are not only essential but the resilient desire to learn from every turn of experiences. The experts, on their part, insist that the way one is able to network extensively, relevant work experience, and keeping one’s mind open are some quality factors that will increase opportunities a lot. Common mistakes usually include poor research or obsession with salary, and /or failure to tailor applications.

For the majority who head into the job market, it is important to have a well-structured CV. A CV for first job template should relate more with transferable skills, work experience, or internships and academic achievements that will answer the demand of the job requirements. By tailoring-make your CV to suit every application, you will surely get the best shot at making a first impression on your employer.

Continue Reading