HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR CHANCE OF LANDING YOUR FIRST 'PROPER' JOB

Job hunting is hard, and feels more-so when you've not got a ton of 'prior work experience' to fall back on.  There are however, various things you can do to increase your chance of success. My recommendations are below:

BE CLEAR ON YOUR GOALS

1. If you are not sure what you want in your career, a future employer is less likely to see your potential. Do what you can to clarify your goals by considering careers you admire, hobbies you have had, and part(or full-time) jobs you have worked in so far. 
2. What have these taught you, about you?
3. How do you handle stress?
4. Do you prefer working in a bustling team? Or having a goal and working away at it solo?
5. Are you keen on an office / corporate job, or would you rather be doing research, or working in nature, or doing a care focused position? 
6. Where do you have the most fun? Harnessing what you love into your career, is a great way to start exploring positions that match your personality.
7. Figure out what you want, or at least narrow down the list - and then you're ready to start

START SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES

1. These may be in the form of volunteering, joining clubs, societies, organizations or meet-up groups that are focused on the career or field, you would like to explore. The more experience you start to obtain in your field of choice, the more 'relevant' experience you can put on your CV or resume.
2. Reach out to experts - Leverage your professors (if at Uni), teachers, mentors, or community leaders that can help to guide your path, advise you of potential pitfalls, and help you with networking.
3. Be prepared to start slowly - if required. Depending on the career you're looking for, you may need to start at the very bottom of the ladder. Be prepared for this, it will set a strong foundation for growth, and gives you the opportunity to hopefully rise through the ranks. I can assure you that despite a great education, it is unusual to leap straight into a high paying job - expect to work your way up.
4. Be picky about your employers - Do your research on the organizations you target. Do they do good work? Are they at the top of their game, or focused on groundbreaking innovations in the field? Do they have a good reputation? (This can be easily discovered with some simple google searches)
5. Be somewhat shameless in your outreach. Often seasoned experts are happy to mentor, support and guide people coming into their field, this is even more common in fairly niche or unique fields of work. The worst thing that can happen is that they ignore you. But if you hadn't reached out to start with you would still have nothing - so give it a go.

BUILD A SOLID CV OR RESUME

1. Often the first step in getting the job you want, is to pass the dreaded 'job application' process. In starting your career, everyone realises you will have limited experience.
2. Ensure your CV showcases your passions, what you want, and why you want it. When hiring graduates it's important to realise that primarily employers are hiring based on your potential, not your current or prior traction - so a well written CV or resume, should have your personality front and centre. 
3. Showcase your strengths, academically or in extra-curricular activities
4. Explain clearly, any related volunteering, part or full-time work that overlaps or matches your career goals - this will help an employer to understand your passion for the area they specialise in, and see more of your potential to grow with them as an employee.
5. Be prepared to share character references, and try to have ones available that are not your 'aunt' etc, they should be from respected professionals. 
6. Ensure any flexibility that will make hiring you easier, is clear to employers. If you're open to relocate, state it. If you're happy to travel nationally or internationally, then mention that you've got a valid passport and look forward to learning and growing in a travel-based role. If you only want to work remotely (Maybe you're introverted? Maybe travel is difficult for you? Etc) then state it on your CV, it'll help you and a future employer avoid wasting time if those core 'needs' don't match.

If you are struggling to get your career kick-started, and want some help  promoting yourself to future employers with a well formatted, structured and impactful CV, please review our Career Building CV service, which is geared towards High School and University Graduates.