Finding your first job can be a challenging process, particularly in the current economic climate. However there are certain actions you can take to significantly improve your chances of success.
Form a view on your career aspirations;
- What do you want to do, what kind of company do you want to work for, where do you see this leading to?
- Decide on how far you wish to travel, or move, to secure your first job. Are you prepared to emigrate to some or any part of the world? If so do you need a work permit?
- Consider taking a non ideal job with your preferred employer, as a means of developing your experience and having inside knowledge for when the ideal job comes up.
- Be flexible with the type of employment; rather than a permanent role look at short term or part time work, or even a period of voluntary or unpaid work that will enhance your CV and medium term career prospects.
- Keep in touch with a wide range of people, to build up knowledge of where work prospects may be improving. Network with friends from university/college, contact recruitment consultants, monitor the ICE website, and contact your local ICE Regional Support Team.
- Consider a speculative approach to all companies that might fit the bill for you, not just those that are advertising vacancies.
For more guidance read the ICErecruit www.icerecruit.com/career_advice/index.htm
There is also useful information on:
Effective CVs
An effective CV won’t guarantee success, but a poor CV can seriously diminish your chances of being offered an interview or job. Points to bear in mind when writing your CV are:
- Be truthful: highlight your strengths and any key achievements.
- Be sure to include your training and qualifications, in particular any modules or specialisms that relate to the role you are interested in
- Include any summer jobs or work placement experience which have helped you to develop an awareness of the world of work, even if this experience is not directly related to civil engineering
- Remember that a CV is a primary means of demonstrating communication skills. Good communication is highly valued by employers. Ask friends and family to read your CV: is it well structured and presented? Is all the relevant information included?
More advice on preparing CVs is available at:
Preparartion for Job Interview
- Look into the following when preparing for the interview.
- The company. Find out about the company: read their website, check their locations, products, services, market sector, and size. The job. What will you be doing? How do your qualifications and experience compare against the job specification?
- Questions. What might you be asked, for example your choice of degree modules, your career aspirations, what attracts you to the company. Also prepare a few relevant questions to ask the interviewer.
- Civil engineering challenges and opportunities. Think about the current challenges facing civil engineering today, and why civil engineering is important (maybe with emphasis on a specialism you have, or the market sector of the company). You may be asked to discuss this.
The Job Interview
- Dress appropriately. Wear business style dress unless specifically advised otherwise.
- Arrive on time. If unavoidably delayed due to travel problems, telephone to inform the company.
- Turn your mobile off.
- Be positive. Appear attentive, engage with the interviewer. Demonstrate an interest in the company and the job.
- Be honest. Don’t lie, acknowledge any limitations in your qualifications and experience if highlighted by the interviewer. However mention any positive aspects of your experience if possible, explaining how they relate to the job.
- Answer the question. Notwithstanding the above, answer the question asked rather than one that you may have practiced.
More Information
For more information please read: