5 Ways To Cope With Overwhelming Job Requirements

While browsing for jobs and internships, you will soon come to the scary realisation that the competition out there is massive and employers seek the best of the bunch. After spending some time searching you may get disheartened feeling that employers require an undergraduate degree, a Master’s and two years of experience – all by the time you’re 22.

As impossible as it may seem, here are five things to consider doing during your studies to place you in a competitive position when you enter the world of employment.

1. Volunteer

Volunteering has so many benefits. It’s something you can put on your CV to make you stand out as a university graduate because it shows initiative, great time management and a passion to work.

It demonstrates that you have used your free time wisely, seeking a volunteer position to enhance your employability skills alongside university studies. You haven’t just sat around watching Netflix or socialising with friends.

If you can, try and focus your volunteering role on your future career goals. This isn’t essential, however; if you find something you know you’ll enjoy i, go for it.

Any volunteering is a great addition to your CV. It will boost your confidence, help you make new friends and be a source of fun as well.

2. Get a part-time job

This is a brilliant thing to include on your CV and again shows great time management skills, with the ability to juggle various commitments.

Not only will part-time work benefit your resume, but it will also alleviate the age-old financial stress that plagues the student.

3. Realise that a Master’s degree is not the be-all and end-all

When entering third year and discovering how close the end of student life is, many people panic and rush towards post graduate courses. Maybe they can’t cope with the idea of no longer being a student, or they really enjoy the subject that they study. Perhaps the field of work that they want to go into really does demand this level of qualification. However, there is a lot of research out there to say that an MA is just not that useful.

Experience is much more important than education, unless you are studying for a specific position where a postgrad qualification is required. Scientific subjects are more research -based so postgrad qualifications are often essential if not recommended. However, in most cases, MAs are far from necessary.

There are arguments for and against doing a Master’s. If you’re torn between gaining practise in your chosen field or postgraduate education, just remember how highly employers value practical knowledge over a long list of academic achievements.

4. Internships are a good way in

There are many benefits to gaining a place on an internship scheme after university. To begin with, many graduate internship schemes offer the potential to become permanent after the contracted intern time is up. They also give you the opportunity to have a trial run at the position before you commit – a ‘try before you buy’ outlook.

Regardless of whether you nab a permanent role, an internship will enhance you in many ways for future employment. You gain specialist skills in your desired area of employment, as well as increased confidence, communication and team-working abilities – all viewed highly by employers.

5. Don’t be intimidated

No matter what stage of university or graduate life you are at, never be intimidated by employers’ high requirements. Their job is to select the best. Now that so many people have degrees, most recruiters are looking for unique factors and extra requirements.

Working life will differ massively from your days as a student but it’s not all doom and gloom. If you try your best at university and involve yourself in the many opportunities that come your way, you’ll have no problem at all.

Harriet Mills is a final-year English Literature and Creative Writing Student in York. Based at her hometown near Cambridge, she is an aspiring writer with her main interests being features and travel writing. For more of her story check out her personal blog.