Useful tips for graduates applying for their first jobs

Preparation is the key to success when searching for a job after graduating.

Reed Personnel Services Malta, a franchise of Reed UK, suggests preparing a good quality curriculum vitae (CV) that clearly outlines your qualifications with degree classification and advanced level and intermediate results.

List your skills, attributes and work experience. Arrange for it to be proof read and spell checked as poorly presented CVs will mean candidates are rejected.

Employers increasingly look at which extra curricular activities a candidate undertakes, particularly in a graduate CV.

Be truthful, but being an active member of a club or society or undertaking voluntary work demonstrates achievement and indicates the applicant is 'well rounded'.

Research the sector/career you wish to pursue before applying to large number of companies in a variety of sectors.

Ask yourself why you want to work in a sector, what appeals to you and what skills and attributes can you offer the employer.

When applying for a vacancy ensure you read the advert carefully and include a well-structured covering letter on why you are an outstanding candidate for the position.

Research on the company and sector will help identify the key criteria that the employer requires and therefore provides the opportunity to match the required criteria.

When registering with an agency, be pro-active with your applications and follow up if you are being unsuccessful to get a better idea of why you have been unsuccessful.

When applying for jobs online, you may receive an initial screening call from the agency or company advertising the vacancy. Being prepared is crucial, the company will want to know why you have applied for the vacancy and a good response at this initial stage will mean your application is taken forward.

Reed Personnel Services Malta Ltd may be contacted on 2132 2314 or 2132 2315.