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How the recruitment process works

Graduate recruitment is a “numbers game”. There is what we call a “funnel”. It is wide at the start when it contains many applications but narrow at the end when only one candidate remains.

  • 100 applicants will apply for a job
  • 80 CVs will be read by the recruiter (late applicants have less chance of being read)
  • 10 applicants might have a screening call
  • 5 applicants might be invited for interview
  • 2 applicants will be told they have a good chance (i.e. they keep a spare)
  • 1 applicant will be given the job

The median job seeker will probably make

  • 20 applications and get
  • 5 interviews and get
  • 1 job

So let’s get on with it.

Pathways to success

There are several ways to get a job

  • Apply for a graduate entry scheme
  • Apply for advertised jobs
    • Use Google Job Search or
    • Search the internet using Google
    • Save Google Searches and get notifications of new jobs
  • Register with a “Job Board”
    • These services like TotalJobs aggregate all job listing and enable you to search them
    • You should always register with the site because
      • Recruiters will search CV on the site
      • You can set up alerts for new jobs
  • Being “found” on Linked-in
  • Networking
    • Go to Meet-Ups and events at innovation centres

Actions to set up your hunt (2 days work)

Set up contact details

Make sure your mobile phone has the correct voicemail message – “Hello you have reached <your name>. I can’t pick up just now but please leave a message and I will get back to you soon”.

Tell everyone in the house if strange people call the landline it might be someone contacting your about a job.

Print business cards

  1. List of cheap printers
  2. Must include a photo
  3. Put name on both sides

Profile and CV

  • Update and perfect your Linked-in profile, say you are looking for work
  • Update and perfect your CV
  • You will need at least two CVS
    • A “standard one” for general job sites. Make sure you have a wide range of keywords.
    • A tuned one that is full of keywords for jobs you are targeting e.g. “Sustainability”, “embedded programming”

Set-up your Google Job Searches

Register with top UK job boards and submit your CV

Register with specialist job agencies/sites

Search for specialist job boards and register with at least 3 of them. eg.

  • “Sustainability Job Boards”
  • “Embedded Programming Job Agencies”
  • …

Register with specialist (Graduate) recruiters

Register with the next rank of Job boards

Networking

Register for relevant events and Meet-ups groups.

Daily Actions thereafter

  • Keep your phone charged and nearby so you can receive calls
  • Check your email AND SPAM for messages from recruiters
  • Whitelist any recruiter mail addresses that went to SPAM
  • Check emails for job search notifications
  • Review searches and search terms
  • Apply for jobs (at least 1 a day)
  • Search for relevant events and talks and Meet-ups and go to them – remember to take business cards.
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