7 Simple Hacks to Help You Land Your First Job

Starting your first formal job search can feel a little like free-falling into an uncertain future. Most people begin the search with only a vague idea of their dream job and a pile of unanswered questions. Sure, people tell you to use social media to "engage with employers", but what does that even mean? Just send them a DM?

Uh, no.

Fortunately, you don't need to panic. We've teamed up with EU Business School to bring you a genuinely useful guide on how to get those interviews piling up.

Structure your day like an office job If you've already graduated and are worried about staying sharp during your job search, it might be a good idea to structure your day like a regular 9-to-5. Tidy your desk, turn on the radio. Take an hour for lunch. Some people like to split their time evenly between preparing speculative applications, networking emails and job applications, but you'll find a way to structure your day that works best for you.

You might want to start a spreadsheet to log every job email you send so you feel more in control and can track every application. That way, you'll know when to send follow-up emails at the right time.

Make sure to take healthy breaks between job searching. These can be anything from a trip to the gym to an episode of a TV show you enjoy.

Polish your CV and LinkedIn profile If you're not sure what to put on your CV because you've never had a real office job, focus on including university projects you've worked on, internships, volunteering, student jobs and hobbies (no, Netflix doesn't count). Make sure you explain how each activity helped you overcome challenges, and mention the new skills you picked up along the way.

Some recruiters actually prefer to hire fresh graduates because they know they'll find someone energetic, adaptable to new technology and armed with the latest market knowledge.

Make use of your university's careers fairs, workshops and alumni network Most universities organise recruitment fairs where students and graduates can connect with companies to discuss their CV, prospects and skills. At EU Business School's annual recruitment fair in Barcelona, for example, recruiters from some of the world's most exciting brands attend. They're often looking to vet potential candidates and offer career advice.

If you're lucky enough to have a huge pool of successful alumni available to you — like EU Business School's network of 26,000 professionals working around the world — you should take full advantage of it. Reach out to senior professionals who studied at your university and now work in the field you're interested in. Ask them whether they'd be interested in meeting you for coffee near their office — your treat — to give you some "career advice". Don't assume they'll give you a job, and remember to send a thank-you note after you meet. You never know — they might connect you with someone who has an open position, or remember your name when an opportunity arises in the future.

Don't panic if you don't have an ideal job in mind Some people dream of becoming an engineer/physicist/Richard Branson (delete as appropriate) from a very young age — and no one can steer them off their true life path. But if you only have a very abstract idea of your dream job, try to keep an open mind, and it will eventually come.

Use Twitter, Glassdoor, Quora and LinkedIn to research employers If you already know which industry you want to break into, a basic search on sites like LinkedIn, Quora, Glassdoor and Twitter can help you discover companies you think do good work, that get positive employee reviews, or that share your values. Managers and CEOs often publish their thoughts on companies, industry issues and even hiring on sites like LinkedIn or Quora — any insider knowledge about a company's direction will give you more to talk about at interview and to reference in cover letters.

Don't be afraid to follow up, and learn to accept rejection letters gracefully Once you've applied for a job and logged it in your spreadsheet, move on to the next thing. It's important to remember that recruiters receive hundreds of emails a week and can easily miss some. That's why you should follow up about a week after your initial email, attaching your CV and reminding the recruiter of your application. Don't push too hard — stay polite. Accept the fact that most recruiters won't reply to you, but if they do, respond to the rejection letter gracefully.

Consider going back to school Maybe the world of work isn't quite ready for you yet. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of going to graduate school for a specialised master's or an MBA. From boosting your earning potential to sharpening your skills, graduate school has many advantages, but you need to make sure you're ready for it.