Arecession is never a good time to be
graduating,but those with IT qualifications can
boost their chances by following10steps as
recommended byInfosys,a massive recruiter of IT
graduates.
Indian IT supplier
Infosys gets over one million graduate job applications every
year and offers 25,000 of these a job, so it knows how
graduates can stand out from the crowd.
Infosys offers 10 tips to IT graduates looking for work:
1.Never forget that academicscount.
Infosys says it is vital to promote academic qualifications. "A
project you have completed in your final year of university could
be the perfect example of how you have tackled a difficult
situation or used your knowledge to complete an assignment."
2.Get some practice
Infosys says graduates should practice interviews and
networking. There are many ways to do this. "For example, visit the
career services team at your university and attend the various
recruitment workshops they offer. Treat every meeting with a
potential employer as an interview and practice mock psychometric
tests on the web before you do the real thing."
3.Push yourself out of your comfort
zone
With the extra pressure in the job market you will need to put
in more effort now, says Infosys. "Companies that are recruiting
need their graduates to be of a high quality and able to deliver
return on investment in their organisation quickly."
4.Present your flexibility and
adaptability
Infosys and other IT recruiters want graduates to be flexible,
adaptable and possess strong logical skills. "For any graduate job,
it is important for you to demonstrate the potential of being able
to thrive in a changing environment - the willingness to consider
options you may not have initially thought of and your ability to
face challenges and changing dynamics. This is especially true in
the world of IT, where technology rapidly changes and new programs
must be quickly grasped and mastered."
5.Stand out in a crowd
Graduates should enrich their CVand gain real-life experiences
outside formal education, such as travel, hobbies, groups or
volunteering. "Consider how you are using your spare time and make
sure you are involved in skill-boosting activities beyond your
academic work. This will add a personal touch to your CV and will
make you stronger, more rounded and better equipped to compete in
the global business environment."
6.Focus on non-academic experience
As well as academic qualifications, recruiters also need an
indication of how you will adapt, assimilate and progress in the
workplace. "Non-academic experience is the best way to demonstrate
your suitability and commitment to the role."
7.Be creative with the application of your
strengths
It is more important than ever to recognise the skills you have
to offer and understand how they can be applied in the workplace.
"Think of what your ideal job could look like and then proceed to
identify what it involves, the skills it takes and why you want to
do it. Remember that the skills and knowledge you have attained may
be applied effectively and successfully elsewhere."
8.Add a personal touch
You should meet recruiters face-to-face to add a personal touch.
"Make sure you are aware of the dates when potential employers will
be visiting your university for events and graduate fairs. Such
events will give you the opportunity to network and meet with the
same people who could be interviewing and assessing you later."
9.It is never too early
Get started on your application process in advance to make sure
that you do not risk missing any of the graduate programme
deadlines. "You will be surprised by how quickly they creep up."
Also be clear from the outset about what you want to do so you do
not spread yourself too thin.
10.Don't panic
A calm attitude will take you a long way in your applications.
"Make sure you retain a logical approach while making decisions
regarding companies to apply to. In this current climate there are
more applicants for every job, but don't panic by applying for
every job you see - the right job is out there for you."