It can be one of the most frustrating and annoying processes in the world to post hundreds of CV's and cover letters and even more via emails and just be completely ignored. Here are some tips to help you stand out and avoid being passed over and ignored.

In your CV make sure you have a legible and professional looking CV with all of your relevant information clearly available and visible. Then go one further and highlight each professional qualifications or professional achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying, in bold so that this information literally jumps out the page for the person reviewing all of the CV's. Don't just send off the same CV, your just wasting time

Your cover letter is essential as it is initially looked over, so make sure it's punchy and full of useful information. Don't tell them why your writing, they already know! Give them your background qualifications and experience and last employment information in a basic summary. Then tell them why you were good at this job and what you can bring to their company with references to who they are and what they do, a little research goes a long way.

Give the company a ring and ask if your CV has been received, it shows that you care whether they look at you and that you are interested in them too. Learn the name of the people dealing with it and keep a note. In about two weeks make a follow up call to this person and ask about the position and whether the interviews have happened. You will look very keen and pro active and even if your CV is lacking something your drive and determination won't be and it may even get you the interview.

The task of searching for a job can really be draining and challenging but if you have a positive approach and keep going, then at some point an employer will see the potential you have.


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University graduates are still sought after, which makes a degree in this difficult financial climate worth its weight in gold. Graduate positions have actually increased over the last year, during the recession, and this is leading companies promoting their HR policies of capturing the best minds straight from university.

Jobs in IT, accounting, mechanical engineering, bio sciences are particularly impressive for the graduate as firms in these sectors offer high salaries and many graduate services that announce jobs, like MilkRound will advertise all of these particular jobs. Some jobs are obviously with companies that could feel the pain of the credit crunch but with any gain of experience, you will become immediately more employable even if the worst does happen to you.

Obviously qualifications and skills will get you so far, but with many graduates applying for the same jobs, how can you set yourself apart and differently then the rest? Well the answer is in your character traits, and making them visible to the recruiter. An attitude of enthusiasm, self- motivation and determination will go a long way in any job interview, some companies who offer jobs at entry level, will make a decision based on this alone!

Obviously verbal and writing skills are a necessity and having problem solving skills and being a team player will also endear you to the employer. It is also important to apply for jobs that you are skilled to do. Obviously jobs with 40k salaries look great and you'd love to be on that one, but you need to stay realistic and gain experience in your first few years after university, so apply for jobs you are happy to do.

If you have a Masters degree of an even higher education award then larger businesses in certain sectors may head hunt you, this is certainly true in the past in the banking, insurance and retail management positions. If you have just a bachelors degree then there are many opportunities out there but it will take you longer to get there!



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Searching for your ideal job can be a full time job but it really doesn't have to be, ensuring that you only apply for the job you know that you are qualified to do and have relevant experience for, is the only way to find a job. Narrow your search to specific fields or area's where you have experience by looking at your own skill base and finding areas of work that will suit your experience. Thinking about which of your skills or qualifications are transferable to all kinds of working environments, will also widen the search of jobs you can apply for, especially if you are struggling to find suitable openings.

You need to be grounded and realistic, especially with the current financial crisis. Your expectations of pay need to be in line with the recession and the fact that the job market is saturated. Salaries are usually given in terms of ranges (depending upon experience), so looking at jobs that mean a step up for you in terms of salary might not work in this current job market. Looking at a job you know that you're slightly over qualified for but that you know it's not entirely a step down, may be beneficial. As you will probably have experiences other candidates wont.

Making a contact within the company you have applied for a position within can sometimes be helpful and a polite call to make sure that your email or application has been received safely might seem like a waste of time but depending on your manners, can be making a good impression. If you have sent a CV for a position and heard nothing, then follow up that contact with an 'I was just wondering if the interviews have happened yet?' phone call can show that you are eager and really interested in this position.

Showing your potential employer that you are really keen and interested will make them see you as someone who is pro active and positive in your approach to being out of work, it may even make them see you as someone they would want to work with.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marie_Warren