Graduate Q&A: Beating the grad life blues with graduate blogger and podcast host Jess Bacon10/18/2020 Jess' story
It was a great job and I met some brilliant people! And it was also the springboard to my freelance writing as I began to write for other publications at the company as well as Be Kind Magazine and then I blogged for Sue Ryder. Now I contribute to The Happy Newspaper, Career Girl Daily blog and upkeep my own blog too. Q: What are your 3 top tips for graduates who are currently job hunting?A: The job market is full of graduates or young people working at entry level positions so it’s imperative that you stand out. 1. I recommend using Canva to design yourself an eye catching CV and matching cover letter and make sure you tailor your cover letter (sometimes your CV too) to every single job position. 2. Equally, make sure your LinkedIn is up to date. LinkedIn is a great place to find jobs as well as connect with people in different industries. Making those connections will really help you long term! 3. Don’t forget to connect with everyone from your school, university and family friends too, you may already know someone who’s in the industry you want to work in. If they do, then utilise those connections, maybe do work experience or shadow them for a few days to have something extra for your CV. Also, I’d really recommend having an online presence. It could be a blog, website or just your social media, all of which will show employers more about you and what you’re passionate about. Q: How did you secure your current role? How did you make yourself stand out against other applicants?A: Currently I work in marketing at a publisher in Cambridge, a role I only got from having my own social platforms and blog as evidence that I could market myself essentially. Both my roles outside of university I’ve achieved by having a blog as it’s shown that I had a good writing ability, pay attention to detail and that I’m driven. This is why I always rave about everyone getting their own website or blog! From growing my Instagram in lockdown I’ve been able to start working as an influencer and drive substantial traffic to my blog. As a result, I’ve launched my podcast, The Guide to Life After University. I’d written about life after uni on my blog since I graduated in 2018 but I thought a podcast was a great way to discuss the experience with other people to make us all feel a bit less alone! Q: What is something you wish you could tell your younger self just after you graduated?A: Everything will come together, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Things come together and fall apart very quickly in real life. There is no plan. It’s very hard to even know what’s coming in six months time, let alone a year’s time, so just don’t worry about it as things do work out how they’re meant to in the end. Q: What do you miss the most about university?A: I miss living near my friends! Being a few minutes walk from my closest pals was one of the best things about uni and the spontaneous nature of everything. You get so much freedom at university to carve your own life, see people as and when you can with minimal responsibilities.
I also miss reading in coffee shops, but doesn’t every English student?
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You may have seen our previous post exploring the truth behind the rumour that recruiters only look at your CV for a couple of seconds, and ways you can ensure it stands out. If not I suggest you check it out here if you want to stay on top of your job hunt game! This week, I chat to Jaguar White Recruitment Founder Julie Grimes. Julie works across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, and runs regular interview skills workshops (these are virtual so you can attend even if you don't live nearby) that I cannot recommend enough! Julie helped me to prepare for the interview for my current role, and talked through everything from structuring answers to things you should ask at the end of the interview. She has kindly taken the time to chat to us to share the 3 biggest mistakes people make on their CVs, and how you can avoid them: So Julie, what are the three biggest mistakes, and how can we avoid them?"My first top tip would be to ensure your CV is no longer than 2 pages (unless you have years of experience that are all relevant to the job you are applying for. In this case, I would suggest 3 pages as a maximum. TIP: Don't repeat yourself time and time again in your job content in your CV!
Next, don't write the job title you are looking for in your personal profile - companies will give different job titles to similar roles and you don't want to be pigeon holed to one position where you might have multiple skills. Also make sure you work on your CV, don't be lazy! Ensure you have your keywords under a 'skills' heading on the first page of your CV - this is how you will be noticed by recruiters and companies matching skills on searches through job boards. Recruitment and job seeking is a mixture of applying for jobs as well as being found. These keywords can be anything from IT skills and systems to job content skills you want to be found by." Ola's storyMy name is Ola, I am 22 (soon to be 23!) and I have recently graduated from the University of Birmingham where I studied Business Management with a year in industry. I currently am the Founder and Creator of All Things Money, an online platform designed to help young adults increase their financial literacy and encourage them to better manage their personal finances. Q: What made you start up All Things Money?A: I finished my studies during lockdown wayyy earlier than expected so I wanted to do something that would curb my boredom. As a result, I decided to create All Things Money to help teach and educate young people about the world of finance as we are not really taught much about that at school or university. Even as a Business Management graduate, I am still shocked at how little we were taught about things such as taxes, mortgages and even how to invest! Since I launched All Things Money at the end of April, I have now published my own eBook where I cover a range of topics including budgeting, investing and pensions, which I would definitely recommend checking out: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEwJpZdFutl/. Q: What have you learnt since starting All Things Money?A: One thing that I have definitely learned since starting All Things Money is that it is important to allow yourself to do you. The thought of others judging me definitely came into consideration prior to launching my page on Instagram, but I am so glad I was able to ignore it and just go with it. That being said, I don't think I would have managed it without the love and support of my friends and family who have continually supported me. I also learnt how important it is to surround yourself with people who genuinely want to see you thrive! If you are someone considering starting up a blog/side hustle, then take the leap of faith and just do it! I started All Things Money with the hope to help at least one person manage their personal finances better. Five months later, I have published my own eBook and have gained over 2,000 followers across Twitter and Instagram - so if I can do it, anyone can! Q: What are your 3 budgeting top tips for graduates?A: 1. My absolute top tip for graduates is to draw out a budget by working out how much money you can afford to spend on a weekly basis. You can do this by working out the difference between your income and your expenses. You can then divide the remaining amount by the weeks within that month. This will give you a good idea of how much you can spend each week. 2. If you feel like your budget is not enough to last the whole month, then my second top tip is to reduce your spending wherever possible. You can do this by cancelling monthly subscriptions, switching to cheaper utility bills or by potentially going out less! 3. My last tip is to find creative ways that will enable you to increase your income. This can be done by selling clothes or unwanted items on Depop or eBay, answering online surveys or by starting your own side hustle! Q: What do you miss most about university?A: The one thing I miss the most about university is that it gave me a clear plan and structure for the last four years of life. Now that I am a graduate, the thought of not having a clear step-by-step plan feels slightly scary! I think what helps me cope with this is the fact that I am not the only one in this position. Reading blog posts written by you (The Blue Graduate) has definitely helped me realise this!
If you would like to feature on the blog and share how you beat the blues please contact me, or read more of our Graduate Q&As here. Maddie's storyHey, I'm Maddie, a 22-year-old Criminology graduate from the University of Leicester. I now work as an Account Executive within Public Relations. It's been a bit of a weird year since graduating, which is why I've started my own blog about the highs and lows of graduate life (@mindthegapgraduates) and also love sharing my story on sites like The Blue Graduate. Q: What are your top 3 tips for graduates who are currently job hunting?A: My top 3 tips are: 1. Make a spreadsheet to keep up with where you've got to with jobs and which ones you've applied to. Have column headers that state the job title, company, stages of the application and when things have to be done by. This is not only a great way to stay organised but also a good way to track what you're doing well or not so well - if you're never getting to an interview or perhaps never passing a psychometric test, you can see a pattern and try to resolve any shortfalls with that. 2. Don't give up - it might take a week, a month or even a year to land any job after university. It's really difficult to get rejected from jobs, and I so wish we were taught how to handle that. Just keep your head up and know that one day something amazing will come to you. Keep on going and don't lose any faith in yourself. 3. Don't compare your timing and journey to others. Comparison, especially in careers, is so damaging. Someone might have got a job before you and it might make you feel worse about yourself, but you don't actually know if it's making them happy or if there's something that makes it less than ideal. Similarly, job titles don't really mean a thing, so if your friend has got a swanky Director role after a year, don't panic - that might just mean they're the only person in that department. You never know so don't compare, it's a terrible (but easy, I know) habit to get into. Q: How did you secure your current job? What was the interview process like, and what did you do to stand out?A: I actually got my job though family connections (I won't lie), but with previous jobs I did identify a few reasons why I got the job or passed interview stages. While at University and during the first year of being a graduate, I started a small business and a blog in my spare time. These were amazing ways for me to learn new skills and demonstrate to an employer that I'm committed, always going above and beyond and had good time management skills. It's often not enough to just have a degree, as so many people do, so you have to go above and beyond with things. My advice to anyone that's struggling to find a job or doesn't really have that key selling point, try and start something in your spare time and learn new skills. Whether that's a blog, a freelance business, tutoring or just proofreading other students work, it all counts and shows that you're hard working. Q: How did you feel when you started your job vs now?A: When I started my job, I felt really excited and got caught up in the whole wow look at me I'm working and get paid for it but that has recently worn off. Whether that's due to the pandemic or not, I'll never know. I've had my fair share of imposter syndorme, and still do. I go through bouts of feeling not good enough to be doing my job, wondering why I got the job (which I think about a lot more considering the family connection) and generally feeling inadequate. As the year has gone on, I've definitely developed a lot more confidence and skills in my role. So the doubting thoughts come less frequently but they're definitely there. In my day to day role, I do a range of tasks, from managing the company's social media to writing press releases and blog posts for clients. I really like the fact that no two days are the same, as this gives me a lot of practice across a range of things and lets me see what my favourite things are to take into future roles. Q: What do you miss most about university?A: I think I miss the validation of grades and assignments the most. Always working towards a deadline and knowing that I'd be given a number to reflect the effort I put in, there's nothing quite like it at work.
It's all we've ever known really - working towards GCSEs, then A Levels, then wanting to get our desired grade in our degree. So when I produce a good piece of work in my job, the 'Great, cheers for that' email doesn't quite cut it. If you would like to feature on the blog and share how you beat the blues please contact me, or read more of our Graduate Q&As here. If you type 'CV tips' into google, the search result shows a whopping 1,510,000,000 sources...That's ALOT of information for one person to sift through, and with job deadlines looming, you might need something quick and fast to get you on your way. I sat down with two recruitment specialists to bust some CV myths, find out what really helps you stand out to recruiters, and some common mistakes to avoid. First, I spoke to Charlie Waterman, who has spent the past 6 years in recruitment and now heads up Talent Acquisition at a company called Harnham (wow, go Charlie!). Charlie now focuses on recruiting for Harnham's graduate scheme, and she's also previously recruited for big companies like British Airways, Deloitte and even Facebook as well smaller start ups- so you can be pretty sure she knows what she's talking about! So Charlie, is it true that some recruiters only look at your CV for a couple of seconds? If so, how can you make your CV stand out against others?It is true that recruiters take a very short amount of time to look at a CV. In my experience, speaking for me, having recruited for 6 years I am a master skim-reader and I know what I am looking for when reading a CV. I'll typically spend around 5-10 seconds doing that initial skim-read and then if I am interested naturally will spend more time reading and then wanting to talk to the candidate to find out more.
To stand out, it's quite simple: 1. Make sure that you're flagging to the person reading that you want to do the role that they are recruiting for. So if it's a Media Buyer, have the words media buyer in your personal summary at the top. You would be surprised at just how many CVs have another job listed in the personal summary or a very vague overview - when you receive hundreds of CVs, it makes it an easy differentiating factor. 2. For graduate roles, put your education up top. But make sure you still have a work experience section with a clear outline of your work and commercial experience. You may not have done an internship or have relevant commercial skills, but any work experience (even if it seems irrelevant) is better than none. Working in a coffee shop will have taught you many skills that a company will benefit from, hiring managers just like to see that a graduate has had to put a bit of hard work in before - no matter where that may be. 3. Network - see someone that works at the company you want to work at that went to your school or uni? Use it - introduce yourself and ask them if they'd be open to jumping on a call to network and find out about how they got there. Flatter them a little and don't be too pushy at asking about the job you've applied or want to apply for - chances are if you do it right, they'll not only give you some helpful advice but they'll probably also put in a good word 😉 Join us for part 2 next week where we speak to Julie Grimes, founder of Jaguar White Recruitment, who shares three of the biggest mistakes someone can make on a CV and how you can avoid them! Tairan's storyHi everyone! My name is Tairan Joyner and I am 22 years old. I graduated in May from Barry University in Miami, FL with a degree in Marketing. I am currently working as a marketing intern at Inspire Brands while looking for a full-time job. I have a passion for digital marketing and media. Q: What are your top 3 tips for graduates who are currently job hunting?A: 1. Stay positive and hopeful. Job hunting can take a toll on your mental health and there's that feeling of not finding the right job. You must stay positive and hopeful that the right job is out there for you! Make sure you have supportive people around you to help lift you up during this challenging time. 2. Be consistent - job hunting is a job itself! Block some time out every day to apply to jobs. Set alerts on LinkedIn and Indeed. Reach out and make new connections. 3. Don't be afraid to try something new - be open to new industries, companies and locations especially during a pandemic where many companies aren't hiring. Also, if you can't find a job right now consider freelancing! Use your skills and your passion to help others. During my last semester of college, I decided to offer my help for free and work with a nonprofit organisation in Miami to manage their Google Ads account and create ads to increase awareness and membership. That experience allowed me to build my skills as a new digital marketer. Q: How did you secure your current job?A: I secured my current role by applying during my last few months of undergrad. Honestly, after I heard about the coronavirus and having to leave school, I knew that searching for a full-time job or internship would be 10x harder. After hearing a lot of companies cancel their summer internship programme also made me weary. A few days after graduation I interviewed for the internship position and secured an internship role. Q: How did you feel when you started your job vs now? What is your day to day like?A: When I first started my job, I was nervous and anxious just like any other intern. I didn't know what to expect but I was excited to learn new things and work on different projects. My day to day consists of sitting in on meetings for different brands, pulling and creating reports, meeting other people on different teams and analysing media trends. Q: What do you miss most about university?A: I miss being around my friends and having the opportunity to explore Miami. I'm glad I have great memories to look back on.
If you would like to feature on the blog and share how you beat the blues, please contact me! Read more of our Graduate Q&A's here. With COVID-19 is still looming over us, a lot of graduates are finding themselves sitting interviews and starting jobs from home. Whether you've got your start date or are putting those employment vibes out into the universe, there are a number of things you need to do to prepare for your first day: 1. Order stationaryStarting a new job from home means you'll be on a lot of video calls for your induction and training, so you'll need to make lots of notes if you want to get through that 'I'm new so please bear with me' phase. I found some notebooks and a planner from Typo. There are frequent discounts at Typo, and even better the pages in its notebooks are 100% recyclable! 2. Find a work space or invest in a deskBecause you'll be on a lot of video calls, you need a quiet space where you won't be interrupted by family...or if you're like me, you're cat that likes to jump in front of the camera. As well as that, you won't have the usual display support available like you would in the office, so it may be worth investing in a desk. With a lot of talk around offices adopting flexible working in the future, it's likely that working from home will go on for more than a couple of months (just like lockdown has...). A decent desk and chair will support your body, prevent aches and pains that will make you feel even more stressed, and help you to appear professional on your calls. 3. Figure out a morning routineAs you'll be at home, you won't have that normal break between leaving the house and preparing for work on your commute. Instead of rolling out of bed to your desk, which will make it feel like you're living the same day over and over again, try to schedule in a walk beforehand to get some fresh air ,keep your body moving and mentally prepare you for your day. 4. Sort out some comfy, smart clothesThis tip comes straight from one of my favourite self help books 'How to make it happen: turning failure into success' by Maria Hatzistefanis (founder & CEO of Rodial). When you get up in the morning, try to dress as though you were getting ready for a 'dress down Friday' in the office. It will set your mind up for the day and make you feel like you can handle whatever it throws at you (when you're new, anything can catch you off guard). The odd day in joggers is still totally acceptable, but make sure you don't get into a slump. Wear bright colours or those new trousers you bought 4 months ago if that's what it takes to boost your mood. 5. Go easy on yourself and don't burn outIt can be easy to get carried away and want to pick everything up quickly so that you can support your team, but it's important to remember that you need time away from the screen and to work through things at your own pace to avoid burnout. If you feel overwhelmed, speak to your manager who has been advised on how to support their team whilst everyone is working from home. Try to connect with colleagues by sending them good morning messages, or request short catch-ups throughout the week to reduce the time you spend alone. If you are preparing for an interview from home, why not check out my blog post all about preparing for a job interview, where I share the two techniques that helped me to secure my new job during lockdown.
Alisha's storyHello! I'm Alisha, I'm 24 and graduated in 2018 for the University of East Anglia... well sort of! My uni route wasn't the most common but I'll get into that in a minute. I'm currently a cover supervisor (supply teacher) in a secondary school and will be starting my teacher training in September. Bring on all the year 7s that are taller than me! 1. What are some of the highs and lows of university/graduate life?A: I don't know about anyone else but after my A Levels I felt lost and had no idea what I wanted to do. I have since learnt that those feelings are commonplace for me when I end a part of my life whether it's school, uni or a TV show! Did anyone else have Normal People withdrawal symptoms? Asking for a friend... So, I did the typical thing, I had a 'GAP YAH'. Then panic stricken with the idea of having to get a real job I started an HND in a subject I loved, performing arts. Very long story short I did a top up year and graduated. I left feeling like my uni experience wasn't as valid as others. I didn't go to a Russell Group university or even one real university! I didn't make lots of friends for life and I had to constantly explain that I have a degree from UEA but didn't go there, terrified that someone would ask me about a tutor or a notable part of uni life there - real imposter syndrome. My point is, over the last few months I have come to appreciate my path and though it may differ from others, that's what makes me employable - a unique experience. I know you will have heard it all before 'don't compare yourself to others' and 'trust the process' but it's true. Those differences in experiences will set you apart. 2. What are your top 3 tips for graduates who are currently job hunting?1. When applying for jobs, read the person and job specification thoroughly and make the qualities into a checklist. Note whether you have direct experience to fulfil the requirements or what transferable skills will be applicable. This will help you meet the criteria and also be prepared for the interview you will get! It's like a mark scheme *flashbacks*.
2. When you receive the invitation to the interview it is essential to remember they like you! The hardest part is done, now they just need to see that they can work with you. Be yourself. It's worth pointing out that if you are successful you do not have to take the position. Maybe the environment didn't feel right, and that is okay. You have to feel comfortable too! 3. This last tip may seem a bit odd but I like to dress in a way that I can see fitting for the environment. It is important to still be you and feel comfortable but I think it helps if the panel can imagine you in their workplace. Bonus tip - if you have a video interview, wear shoes. I promise you it makes a difference! I really want to end this ramble with a reminder that you really do have so much to offer and the right job will come along. Also, I don't think you have to have a passion for only on industry. If you love your degree subject but fancy trying a job in a different sector, do it! You are not confined by previous study, it is all an asset to whatever area you choose next. If you would like to feature on the blog and share how you beat the blues, please contact me! Katie's storyMy name is Katie, I'm 21 and I have just graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in Media, Journalism and Communications. Whilst at university, I delved into a range of creative projects - including running Cardiff's lifestyle publication as Editor-in-Chief in my final year. When degree and work at Quench Magazine came to an end I felt particularly lost and unsure about my future. I needed a creative outlet to express these uncertainties and thus The Graduate Club was born (@graduateclub). It was a way for me to create content and keep my mind busy, whilst also finding like minded people who were going through the same life changes that I was attempting to navigate. Q: What were your reasons behind starting your Instagram page The Graduate Club?A: I always like to have everything planned and structured so I know what to expect. I'm the kind of person who will Wikipedia the ending of a film I'm watching just ten minutes in (criminal, I know) so I don't have to deal with the stress of not knowing what will happen. In the weeks leading up to finishing my degree, my mind was so occupied by thoughts of meeting word counts and submitted assignments that the emptiness that followed really caught me by surprise. Unlike the previous 21 years of my life, where education was neatly followed by further years in education, I had nothing lined up and this terrified me. Eventually, I stepped back from this constant feeling of panic and realised that it wasn't really helping me in any way. After speaking to some of my friends and putting a tweet out on Twitter, I quickly realised that I wasn't alone in these emotions and this provided a huge wave of relief. I thought that if I made my emotions public, those dealing with the same experience in silence might find the same sense of relief that I did. Soon, the page grew from sharing my own story to sharing the stories of other people. I think that's what makes it so special as it really does demonstrate that there isn't one set route after graduation and you are free to navigate these murky waters in whichever way you choose. Q: What are your top 3 tips for graduates who are thinking of starting an Instagram page?A: For one, I'd say there definitely has to be something in it for you. For me, The Graduate Club has helped me conquer my emotional struggles and allows me to channel my feelings into something productive rather than let them run free around my brain - that's what makes getting up and working on it so enjoyable. Secondly, remember to take time off! It's easy to get caught up in the Instagram whirlwind and want to spend every hour of every day creating content to the point where it becomes an obligation. Time away from a screen is just as important and can help you come up with more ideas in the long run. Finally, interact with other accounts! There are so many amazing people with such creative ideas online. Rather than see it as a competition, I think it's best to view it as a collaboration. Help others, share their content and even work together on something between you. Q: How do you deal with job anxiety?A: I think it's important to have faith in yourself and your own abilities. Sometimes it's easier said than done but remembering what I've achieved in the past allows me to keep pushing through! Also, like I said before, having a creative outlet is a great way to get things out or channel any anxious emotions. Q: What will you miss most about university?A: Definitely the people. I am from a small village in Devon so having friends living within walking distance was new to me and I loved that social aspect of being able to see anyone or plan anything with ease. I feel like at university there was always something good to look forward to.
Rosa's storyHi everyone, my name is Rosa and I am 22 years old. I graduated in 2019 from the University of Kent with a BA in English Language and Linguistics. Since leaving, I have gone backpacking (shock) and am now a blogger alongside job hunting! Q: What are your top 3 tips for a graduate looking to start a blog?A: My top 3 tips would be: 1) Do your research. It can really feel like a bit of a minefield at first. There are so many blogging platforms, niches, hosting sites etc and it can get a bit overwhelming when you're a novice to the industry like I was! I would suggest starting by grabbing a cuppa and watching some YouTube videos for general blog setup advice. I'd then move on to more focused research regarding creating a blog that is specific to your needs! 2) Start as you mean to go on. If this is something you see longevity in, then it's best to avoid taking shortcuts! There are bundles of free, quick fixes available if you want to get your blog up and running rapidly - however I do feel that these might not stand the test of time. I would have a long think about the appearance, features and content you'd like on your blog. This way may take time, research and even money, but will definitely save you lots of effort in the long run. If you do rush the creation of your blog, it may be a lot harder to swap everything over and change it if you do decide you want to redo it further down the line. 3) Try not to be afraid to put yourself out there! Admittedly, this is a lot easier said than done. I waited for years to have the courage to do it, I gave in when the fear became massively outweighed by my excitement to do it! Your loved ones will (hopefully) support you and any extra support and praise is a bonus, especially if you love doing it anyway! Q: How did you start blogging? How did you come up with the name? What does your day to day look like?A: I started it not too long ago actually! The idea was in the pipeline for years, so I had a fair bit of time to think about how I'd like it to be. Initially, I started reading other blogs for inspiration and then brainstormed everything (and I mean everything) that I wanted my blog to have. Coming up with the name was definitely not as smooth sailing though. As they say, "you've got to kiss a few frogs to find your prince" - in this case it was about a million frogs i.e. laughable blog name ideas. It's very hard to get the right balance between pinning yourself to a niche but not limiting yourself. I eventually thought I'd quite like a bit of alliteration and from there, @therosaroom was born. I like how it's quite broad and gives me the space to chat about anything and everything. My day-to-day at the moment is more similar to that of my two bulldogs that I'd probably care to admit. In lockdown, there really isn't much variety in what I'm doing! I do, however, spend a huge portion of my day typing out blog post drafts, getting pics for Instagram and carrying out general research on how to develop my blog. I absolutely love doing it! Q: How did you feel about blogging when you first started in comparison to now?A: I think the main difference is my confidence! When I first launched it, I was very apprehensive about what the reaction was going to be. Now I've got the hard bit out of the way, I really do feel so inspired to just be creative and not worry (as much) about the reception it's going to get! Q: What do you miss the most about university?A: Where do I begin? What a three years it was. I do miss the little bubble that University provides - friends around the corner, independence and not to mention the nights out. I'm glad to have left it on a high and have great memories to look back on though.
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AuthorThe Blue Graduate is a career and wellbeing advice and guidance blog for students and graduates experiencing post-uni 'blues'. Archives
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