1. THE ABSOLUTE BARE NECESSITIES Speed Job Search for Graduates

2. Before you start Create a brilliant CV -get someone to check it Create a brilliant covering letter - get someone to check it Set up separate, new email address for job applications Identify/clarify key sectors/job roles/companies/organisations you want to apply to and target Put out a call out (Facebook/LinkedIn) – let everyone know that you want them to alert you to any possible job opportunities.

3. HR Execs Research 2009 – rated job search effectiveness out of 5

4. Advertised 1 The obvious ONE - Newspaper/journals /professional bodies – eg Guardian, CIPD, CIM, BPS, New Scientist (hoards of applicants) TWO – graduate specialist websites www.prospects.ac.uk www.milkround.com www.target.co.uk www.uclan.ac.uk/myfutures/ Other universities careers websites for their vacancies eg www.careers.lon.ac.uk Also International Jobs section THREE – check Facebook page of companies you would love to work for.

5. Advertised 2 Specialist recruitment agencies www.rec.uk.comwww.rec.uk.com Recruitment sites (often for recruitment agency vacancies) eg www.monster.co.ukwww.monster.co.uk Enternships – internships with start up companies http://www.enternships.com/en/site/about Specialist websites - examples http://www.charityjob.co.uk/ http://www.artshub.co.uk/ http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/ www.bbc.co.uk/jobs And many more – check Prospects for the most relevant ones for your chosen sector. Also Twitter/Linked In etc.

6. The hidden vacancies DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING! Research SME companies -The Times Best SMEs. Speculative approaches – phone/email, set up meetings Chamber of Commerce members Companies advertising other vacancies in local press Contacts you have – keep them warm – buy them a coffee or doughnut - ask them to be your eyes and ears Find a mentor in the sector you want to target Offer to do something for free (work trial) or write an article or blog Get out and about – talk to people – be curious Set up several/multiple Google alerts

7. Your mission – your weekly plan Source about 20 vacancies per week Apply for as many as you can (especially those just requiring an emailed CV) Phone people/network Check your favourite websites/job boards Follow up applications – get feedback Freelance your way into a job Temp or volunteer (short term gain) eg UN http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/index.html Go to University Job Fairs Attend workshops/webinars to prepare yourself for interviews/assessment centres THINK INTERIM – less than perfect first job or internship – check GRADUATE TALENT POOL and MyFutures Temp