Finding the ‘right fit’ in your career

Self-reflection is key

Finding the right fit begins with self-reflection. So spend some time thinking about your responses to these questions:

• What skills and knowledge do I have? How can I provide evidence?
• Which skills do I want to develop?
• What are my career goals?
• What motivates me at work?
• What do I enjoy?
• Do I want to work in a large organisation or a small organisation?
• Do I want to travel?
• What kind of working culture is right for me?

Create space to think about these questions. The better you understand your own skills and ambitions, the better prepared you are to find a job that is a good fit. That’s because you’ll have a better awareness of your own talents and the opportunities that interest you.

Be prepared to think outside the box. Most graduate jobs don’t specify what degree subjects they accept, so you have more options than you think! Your degree subject is important but it’s not the be-all and end-all. Think about the transferable skills you have gained on your course and how these could apply to roles you’re interested in.

Do your research

The next step is to find opportunities that match your skills and interests. Do some research into the labour market to find out what sort of jobs are out there. Labour market tools such as NOMIS and job profile information from sources such as Prospects is a great way to combine information to develop your insight.

Remember to read the job description thoroughly and research the organisation. This will help you to understand whether the role will be a good fit for you. Websites such as Glassdoor contain anonymous employee reviews than can offer opinions although don’t just base decisions on these, remember the interview process is a two-way street so think about what you want to find out and ask.

Ask for help

Many people worry about structuring job applications but it’s more important to have a good understanding of your skills and motivations. This knowledge will underpin the structure of your application and will prepare you well for the recruitment process.

However, there is support available if you want to practice your interview technique or hone your CV structure. The Careers and Employment Service offer support for graduates for up to three years after you finish your course. So, why not get in touch and see how we can help you?