Blogs: Serena realises the importance of standing out from the crowd

Post 2, March 2013

Serena Cooper graduated from Lancaster University with a degree in History and Politics. She's now trying to work out exactly what she wants to do as a career

The last month has passed quickly. One particular highlight was finding out I had won a prize for a survey I entered at university on, ironically, employability. This started me thinking about effort, chance and the search for a graduate career. Unlike a competition I can't simply expect my name to be randomly picked out of a hat and get offered a job - I have to stand out from the crowd.

This month I also said goodbye to my sister, a business graduate who has gone to China on a CV-enhancement programme in the hope of doing just that: enhancing her career prospects and having something that will make her more employable when she returns and applies for a job.

For the next four months she will be living with a family in Beijing, the idea being for her to help her host family, particularly their child, to speak English. She will also be attending Chinese classes twice a week with other au pairs from around the world based in the city.

Now I'm not suggesting going halfway around the world to add some skills to your CV, although you can if you want, but in this competitive job market it's all about having something that will distinguish yourself from the competition.

I recently came across a job advert that took my fancy so upon clicking 'apply' I moved down the list of credentials ticking them off in my head then I got to the last one 'must be fluent in Arabic'! Well that's not on my CV, but learning another language could be one way of standing out.

If you are still at university, even if it is your final year, try and get involved in extracurricular activities - any work experience or activities will make you more employable. All graduates have a degree but not all have done something in their spare time.

I know, I know… in the midst of doing a dissertation, essays and exams you may think, 'what spare time?!' However, you will wish you made a tiny bit of extra effort when you are up against those who did.

It doesn't have to be something that takes a lot of effort or time, even just helping to organise an event such as the student ball or a fundraiser will demonstrate your ability to get involved.

Highlight these activities on your CV and relevant to the position you are applying for. And don't just tell prospective employers you can do something, demonstrate how you have and how you can transfer these skills to the role.

This got me thinking about my own CV - was I showing myself in the best light?

After reading numerous resources offering advice on how to create the perfect CV, I found  myself torn between keeping with the traditional, more professional-looking resumé and going for a creative, more innovative but equally professional CV.

Not great at making decisions, I hedged my bets and made two formats knowing the type of job being applied for would determine which format I would use; on each I tried to ensure my achievements stood out.

I recently read an article in The Independent discussing how having a degree is now not enough, and with a growing number of graduates not only is a degree more commonly a prerequisite for a job but now employers are increasingly expecting a postgraduate qualification too.

So when the goalposts continue to be moved what's a graduate to do? Try to stand out as much as possible, learn new things whenever you can and keep heading towards your goal.