Marks get you through the door, but they are only part of what employers look at. Use your years at university to become someone they want to hire.
Employers look at more than grades
When a company reads fifty CVs with similar marks, the ones that stand out show initiative. That can be a society you ran, a job you held, a project you built or a cause you cared about.
- Pick up extra activities. Join a society, lead a project, tutor other students, volunteer or compete. Aim for a few things you stay with, rather than ten you drop.
- Take on responsibility. Treasurer, organiser and team leader roles show skills that a transcript cannot.
- Build skills outside your degree. Writing clearly, speaking in public, Excel, basic coding and working in a team all travel across every industry.
Vacation work and experience
- Use your holidays. Vacation work, internships and part-time jobs give you experience and contacts. Ask your department, your career centre and companies in your field about vacation programmes.
- Look for youth programmes. Platforms such as SAYouth.mobi and the Youth Employment Service (YES) list opportunities for young people.
- Start something. A small business, a freelance service or a community project proves you can create value. Failing early, when the stakes are small, is one of the best lessons you can get.
- Try to get a job or start your own business while you study, even a small one. Just protect your marks and your health.
Build your CV
- Keep it to one or two pages, with your contact details and a short profile at the top.
- Put experience and achievements first, with numbers where you can (“organised an event for 200 students”).
- List your education, results and relevant skills.
- Tailor it for each application, and ask someone to proofread it.
- Use a professional email address, and keep your LinkedIn profile up to date.
Make contacts
Many opportunities are found through people. Speak to lecturers, attend career fairs, thank people who help you and stay in touch with the people you meet during vacation work.
Look after the basics
- Money: make a budget in your first week. See Money Matters.
- Funding: check your institution’s financial aid office every year, and keep applying for bursaries. See bursaries.
- Health: sleep, food and exercise affect your marks. If you are struggling, use your campus counselling service and talk to someone early.