By Shannon Clark
Long gone are the days when simply having a list of your best attributes and your grades on your CV was enough to get you a job. Now, with so many people having similar qualifications, it’s vital that you do as much as you can to make yourself and your CV stand out from the crowd.
With summer around the corner, now is the best time to boost your CV before the next year of university.
Create a LinkedIn account
LinkedIn is a valuable tool that all students should be utilizing. Use your summer break to update your LinkedIn page and use it to showcase your skills, to extend on what is written on your paper CV and to connect with like-minded people.
Attend networking events
Building relationships with people from within your chosen industry is incredibly important for anyone wanting to get their foot in the door shortly after graduating. Meeting people face-to-face is the best way to gain contacts and there are bound to be some networking events close to your home that you could attend.
Alternatively, you could try searching for groups that are related to your field on Facebook or LinkedIn and then, once you’ve been accepted into these, get chatting with other members.
Find an internship
An internship is a great way to gain an understanding of the industry that you’d like to end up working in. Typically, internships last between one and four months. Some are paid, and others simply offer to cover travel expenses, but they’re all designed to provide you with real work experience.
Many employers want to see that you’re dedicated to your chosen career path and that you have some experience in the field. Working as an intern this summer is a great way to tick both boxes at once.
Volunteer with a local charity or cause
Volunteering will always be a great way to boost your CV as it proves you’re willing to invest time towards doing something good for other people. Having an interest or passion for a particular cause can also act as a great talking point in job interviews.
Learn a new skill
Use the next three-four months wisely by learning a new skill. As well as adding a new qualification to your CV, the learning process will also keep your motivation levels high and make the transition back to university in September far easier.
Get your driving license
Not learned how to drive yet? With more companies relocating to the edges of towns and cities, it’s likely you’ll need to be able to drive in order to get to work. Some companies may even require their employees to have a driving license. So, having a full driving license on your CV will open up the roles you can apply to. Lessons can be pricey but try to prioritize this as much as possible over the summer.
Shannon Clark writes for Inspiring Interns, which specializes in sourcing candidates for internships and graduate jobs. You can find more of her work at www.shannonlclark.com and www.sweetserendipityblog.co.uk.
