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Eight Steps to Beat the Recession
Surviving the Recession is Anything but Impossible!
1. Don’t Believe the Hype
The job situation for soon to be graduates is not nearly as bad as the media is making out, especially in
2. Know Yourself
It is crucial that you understand your strengths, qualities and motivations before searching for jobs and making applications. You can do this by:
- Thinking about the skills you can offer to potential employers.
- Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Take steps to develop areas that need to be improved.
- Think about the kind of work that will motivate you
- Understand where your interests lie.
You can generate some options by using Prospects Planner . This career planning tool will help you think about your skills and motivations and match these with some job profiles. You are welcome to discuss your ideas with a Careers Adviser.
3. Don't give in to it!!
It's important to keep things in perspective and not let inertia take over. Many recruiters are very, very keen to contunue their graduate recruitment as they have learnt from past recessions that they need to have staff to help pull their organisation out of recession in time.
'In the recent survey by the AGR (Association of Graduate Recruiters), 83% of graduate recruiters are still recruiting "business as usual" in 2009.' Source Inside careers. The AGR President Carl Gileard was intervied recently by colleagues at Warwick University - have a look!
A snapshot of some of the vacancies on our database for graduates in 2009 TODAY demonstrates that there are still plenty of jobs to be had! Advertising, Marketing and PR: 28 vacancies. Engineering: 41; Finance 27; General Management 18; IT 47; Sales, Retail and Buying 22; Scientific Services 25.
Look in our jobs database . For even more go to Graduate Prospects.
Do not assume that your chosen career areas have no jobs - come and ask us!
4. Use all available resources to get a job.
Most people are not aware of all the possible ways to get work. Generally, most people in this country get jobs through contacts, word of mouth or speculative applications. In a recession, employers use these more and more because they cost nothing.
If you are not sure how to track down all the resources available talk to The Careers Service Information Manager at 12-2 pm each day at the Enquiry Desk in the
5. Get a killer CV!
Nothing impresses employers more than a CV that hits the spot! It needs to be targeted to the job or employer you are applying to. It needs to show off your Unique Selling Points for the post in question. Want one? Make a first attempt and show it to a Careers Adviser. You could even do an online seminar.
6. Thinking of post-graduate study?
Ok, think some more! It might be the right thing to do but best to put it to the test. Answer yes to most of these questions and you'll feel reassured that you are doing it for the right reasons.
- Is it required for the type of work you want to do?
- Do you also have the necessary work experience - or can you get it over the next year - to complement your Masters
- Can you pay for it or will you be able to repay the money you borrow once it is over
- Does the subject interest you enough to sustain you through another year – or more - of study?
If in doubt, book an appointment to see a Careers Adviser .
7. Plan B
Contingency planning is an essential skill for any graduate wanting to get on to the careers ladder.
If you can't get the job or career you want first off: don't despair! Many graduates have to work 'towards' their career choice rather than get it on a plate when they leave university. Concentrate about thinking about getting the right skills for the job/career you want to get into and look for jobs that will give you the chance to develop these.
8. Don’t Give Up.
Take heart – there ARE jobs out there. You need to be focused and use all the resources around you - especially the Careers Service. We're here to give professional guidance whatever your stage of planning - even if you feel you're nowhere!
