5 skills that every graduate should be mastering

Job hunting can be brutal. Rejection becomes customary. Cover letters become tiresome. Interviews reduce you to a bag of nerves. And scouring the internet in search of opportunities is something of a full-time job in its own right. There are few things comparable to the sinking feeling of missing out on that dream position, and therefore we must ensure that we are giving ourselves the best possible shot at the role.

In today’s world, where every job is as fiercely competed for as 1,000 teenage girls fighting over a free One Direction ticket, and where everyone is bursting with diplomas, qualifications and masters, we must find ways to separate ourselves from the crowd. Here are 5 skills that every graduate should have nailed before applying…

There’s no escaping the fact that we are in the manacles of a digital age. The awesome force of social media cannot be underestimated. The importance of SEO is measured by search engine priority ordering – the potential make or break of a magazine, brand or company. Your ability to manipulate web traffic is something that all employees will take notice of.

You might be great at your job, but if you have a habit of rubbing people up the wrong way you won’t last long. Hone your ability to work well within a team.

Whether it is through unpaid internships, Saturday shifts or shadowing a family friend, the more you know about the industry you’re interested in the better. Passion and enthusiasm go a long way, so do as much as you can to explore, allowing you to arrive bursting with great ideas.

So many applicants fall at this hurdle. Your CV is your chance to sell yourself, your one and only shot to catch your (hopeful) new boss’ attention. Get it right. Avoid the obvious mistakes to help you on your way.

Once you have passed the CV rounds and made it through to the all important interview stage, the job is within touching distance. Be yourself, be smart, be truthful and be confident. By the time you have graduated, interview etiquette needs to be a skill that you well and truly posses. For more guidance, see our steps to nailing a job interview.

Good luck out there.