Relevant Work Experience and Graduates

Graduates who lack relevant work experience should not despair. There are still plenty of ways to appeal to a prospective employer — it simply comes down to marketing one’s self in a professional and enthusiastic manner. Below are a few key tips on how to do just that:

• Consider all of your previous work experience and ensure your CV highlights how the skills you utilised in these roles are transferable to the job you’re applying for. Never underestimate the value of customer service skills when working with a diverse team of colleagues.
• Focus on your overall employability. An individual’s employability refers to more than just their technical skills which are relevant to the role. Increasingly employers are looking for well-rounded individuals who have basic commercial awareness and ‘soft’ skills.  At FDM we provide our graduates with professional skills training, which includes communication skills, presentation skills, mock interviews and professionalism in the workplace.
• Look for alternative ways to get your foot in the door of your industry. FDM is an award-winning international IT services provider that offers a solution to the catch-22 hurdle of qualifications without experience that many university leavers face. Our unique graduate programme involves a fast track 12-16 week training programme, which provides graduates with practical qualifications, followed by a minimum of two years working as an IT Consultant for one of our 200+ prestigious clients.

Recent figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that the unemployment level for 16-24 year olds in the UK is at its highest level since records began in 1992. With this in mind, I would advise graduates to look beyond their work experience and contemplate their overall ‘employability’ package. Grab any opportunities to get relevant industry experience, but don’t underestimate the skills you already have. Perseverance and passion are important traits to keep you going throughout your job hunt.

Finally, remember that employers are looking for a person, not a piece of paper, so make sure you demonstrate your personality as well as your professionalism.

 By Madeleine Field, FDM Group Recruitment Manager 

Madeleine is responsible for the FDM Group graduate recruitment teams. As well as overseeing recruitment operations for FDM Group’s graduate programme worldwide, Madeleine also organises all corporate career presentations, workshops, seminars and graduate fairs.