7 ways to improve graduate employability
Whether through internships, volunteering, short courses or personal projects, taking initiative to learn and grow can show employers that you're proactive, motivated, and ready for the workplace听
Take up a hobby
Pursuing a hobby isn't just a way to unwind, it's also an excellent way to demonstrate self-motivation and a passion for learning. These are the traits employers are looking for, especially when hiring graduates or early-career professionals who may not yet have extensive work experience.听听
Hobbies can also help you develop transferable skills that apply directly to the workplace, such as:听
- 肠谤别补迟颈惫颈迟测听
- 诲颈蝉肠颈辫濒颈苍别听
- problem solving听
- 迟别补尘飞辞谤办.听听
Here are some hobbies that can actively boost your employability:听
- learning to code听
- writing a novel or blog听
- cooking or baking听
- gardening or growing your own food听
- playing an instrument听
- starting a book club听
- joining a local sports team听
- exploring photography, painting, sewing or other crafts.听
Enrol in a short online course
Whether you're learning to use new software, exploring a different field, or improving soft skills like communication or time management, there's a course out there for you.听
Courses don't need to be directly career-related - any course that you complete shows initiative, discipline, and a desire to learn, all of which are valued by employers.听
Here are a few examples of what you can explore through online courses:听
- Industry-specific skills - digital marketing, project management, business analysis, UX design, or coding.听
- Software tools - programmes like Excel, Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Salesforce, SQL, or Python.听
- Soft skills - communication, leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, or public speaking.听
- Professional foundations - CV writing, job interviews, workplace etiquette, or remote work best practices.听
- Exploration courses - psychology, philosophy, personal finance, or sustainability to broaden your thinking and reflect a well-rounded personality.听
Popular platforms include:听
If you're looking for a more structured path, you could also explore:听
- Massive open online courses (MOOCs) - often free and university-led, MOOCs are a great way to get an academic introduction to new topics.听
- Microcredentials - these are short, focused programmes that provide industry-recognised certification in specific skills.听
- Online Masters degrees - if you're seeking an advanced qualification and are ready for a longer commitment, an online degree offers flexibility with a formal credential.听
For further inspiration, see CPD opportunities for graduates.
Improve your online presence
Employers frequently check candidates' social media profiles to assess whether they're a good fit for the company culture. What you share online can influence how others perceive you, so it's crucial to manage your profiles carefully to reflect professionalism and your personal brand.听To clean up your online presence:听
- Review your privacy settings - ensure your social media accounts are set to private, especially if they contain personal content that could be seen as unprofessional. 听
- Remove unprofessional content - go through your posts, photos, and comments, and delete anything that could be perceived negatively by a potential employer.听
- Choose a professional username - opt for something simple and easy to remember, such as your full name or a variation of it, especially on LinkedIn.听
Discover our guidance on using social media to job hunt.听
To build a strong online profile:听
- Follow relevant organisations and influencers - this shows your interest in the field and can help you stay up-to-date on trends, news, and potential job openings.听
- Engage with professional communities - participate in discussions, share articles, comment on posts, or ask insightful questions.听
- Join LinkedIn and build your profile - LinkedIn is a crucial platform for professional networking. Join LinkedIn groups related to your field and engage with content that resonates with your career goals. Explore how to optimise your LinkedIn profile.听
Volunteer your time
Giving up your time is an invaluable way to enhance your CV and gain practical experience that showcases your:听
commitment听
- dedication to making a positive impact听
- work ethic.听
You'll find volunteering opportunities at:听
- Doit - this platform connects volunteers with IT-related projects. It's a great way for those interested in tech to gain hands-on experience while helping non-profits with digital needs.听
- Royal Voluntary Service - this organisation offers opportunities across the UK, with a range of roles supporting health, community, and elderly services.听
- Studenteer - this is a volunteer platform specifically designed for students, offering a wide range of flexible opportunities that you can do alongside your studies.听
While volunteering might not always be directly related to your career goals, it offers the opportunity to develop a wide range of transferable soft skills that employers highly value.听听
Learn a language
Being multilingual can enhance your employability and give you a competitive edge in the global job market. As businesses continue to expand internationally, companies are increasingly looking for employees who can communicate effectively across borders and engage with all clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.听
Languages like Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Mandarin are particularly valuable across many sectors, including:听
To start learning a language, consider:
- Language learning apps - like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise make language learning accessible and fun. 听
- Podcasts and YouTube channels - many language learners find that listening to native speakers helps improve their accent, pronunciation, and listening comprehension.听
- Language exchange programmes - platforms like Tandem and HelloTalk connect you with native speakers for language exchanges. 听
- Language immersion - where you can travel to a country where the language is spoken. This experience allows you to practice speaking in real-world contexts, helping you develop fluency faster.听
Try virtual work experience
Many companies now offer virtual internships and projects that allow you to gain valuable work experience from the comfort of your own home. These projects can be an excellent way to build practical experience, learn about a specific field, and enhance your professional skills.听
You can find virtual internships on:听
- Company websites - especially in sectors like marketing, tech, finance, HR, and consulting.听
- Non-profit organisations - many non-profits offer virtual internships or short-term projects, which are not only a great way to gain experience but also allow you to contribute to meaningful causes.听
- Work experience platforms - like SpringPod list openings, often endorsed by major firms.听
- Online simulations - like Forage often partner with top global companies to provide a realistic replication of day-to-day tasks in fields like finance, law, and engineering.
Explore our guidance on work experience.
Keep up to date with the industry
By keeping up with the latest trends, challenges, and developments in your target industry, you'll be able to understand what employers are looking for and tailor your approach accordingly.听听
Researching sectors and job profiles gives you a competitive edge, enabling you to speak knowledgeably during interviews and network with confidence.听
Subscribe to industry-specific publications and newsletters to receive insights into sector trends and news. For example, if you're interested in tech, websites like TechCrunch, Wired, or The Verge can keep you informed.听听
For marketing professionals, sites like AdAge or Marketing Week offer relevant insights into current trends and strategies.听
Many companies share updates, thought leadership articles, and news on their own websites. Regularly visiting these sites allows you to learn about the latest initiatives, leadership changes, and company culture - valuable knowledge for interview preparation and networking.听
In addition to industry-specific reading, career-focused blogs and websites offer invaluable advice on job searching, CV writing, and interview tips. For example, the 蘑菇视频黄片 blog, The Topic, provides regular updates on:听
- career trends听
- skill-building tips听
- industry insights.听
It's a great resource to stay informed on the broader job market and understand employer expectations.听
Find out more
- Consider the skills employers want.
- Explore how to choose a career.
- Read more on getting a job.