Everyone wants to start working at their dream job as soon as they graduate from university. However, many people can find it challenging to land their first graduate jobs. For those who have just completed or are about to finish their degree, we have some handy tips and tricks for finding graduate jobs in NZ.
Graduate Job Options
Graduate Programs
Many major organisations recruit a group of graduates each year to put them through a graduate program. These programs are aimed to train up newly graduated professionals and usually run for a fixed term such as 1 or 2 years.
Graduate programs provide the unique opportunity to get fully trained in your field right after you finish university. Look out for these well in advance, as many start recruiting from as early as April for the following year. There is plenty of competition for these programs, so make sure that you put a lot of effort into your application.
Graduate Jobs
You may be lucky enough to find a graduate role with a company. These are positions that don’t require experience, and generally, the employer is prepared to train you for the role. The amount of competition for these types of jobs is extremely high, so they can be difficult to obtain.
Top Tips to Become More Employable
Volunteer
If you can’t find a part-time job in your chosen field while studying, it can feel like you’re already a step behind your competition for graduate roles. Have you considered volunteering instead? Contact a company you’d love to work for and offer to volunteer there.
This not only gives you some relevant experience to put on your CV, but if you work hard and prove that you’re an asset to the company, they may end up hiring you.
Create a Compelling CV
Spend some time creating a CV that highlights your skills and experience. A modern CV layout that will stand out amongst other applications can help you to land a graduate job more easily. Work on creating a CV that has memorable content as well as being eye-catching to look at.
Develop Transferable Skills
If you can’t seem to obtain a position in your chosen field, you should consider applying for roles in other industries. This can allow you to develop transferrable skills that will assist you in eventually getting your dream job.
For example, if you want to work in marketing but can’t get a job in this field, you could try working as an administrator for a company. This will allow you to gain experience such as coordinating projects, managing deadlines, and other skills you can use in a marketing position in the future.
Get Proactive
If you’re not having much luck with applying to graduate jobs online, it’s time to get proactive about your job hunt. Directly contact companies you would like to work for and ask them if they have any positions coming up. Many employers value initiative, so this can be a great way to get a job before it’s posted online! You can also benefit from having very little competition, as most people are too intimidated to try this method of looking for a job.
Build Your Network
It’s true that getting a job can be more about who you know than who you are. Attend networking events that are relevant to your industry. You never know who you could meet at one of these, so make sure to introduce yourself and connect with people.
If you have family members or friends with industry connections, don’t be afraid to ask them for an introduction. The person won’t give you the position just because of your connection, but if you can make a great first impression, this may convince them to hire you.
Go For a Part-Time Position
You are likely more interested in full-time work, but if you’re offered a part-time position in your industry, take it! You can always pick up a second part-time job to make money, and the experience in your field will be invaluable to you. This can help you to build the skills required to eventually find a relevant full-time position. Plus, there is often less competition for part-time graduate roles, improving your chances of a successful application.
Where to Find Graduate Jobs in NZ
One of the best places to find graduate jobs in NZ is Shopless. Our online listing site has thousands of positions to scroll through, many of which are graduate jobs. You can even sort listings by industry to see positions that are relevant to your skillset. Go ahead, start searching for your dream job now!