jobhuntingfun We know it’s hard enough keeping up with all your deadlines, but using your time at uni to improve your job prospects will go a long way, too! With so many students and graduates on the job hunt at this very moment (yup, even as you read this!), you need to do whatever you can to make sure you stand out from the crowd to future employers. Thinking ahead and laying the groundwork for your career while you’re still studying is a pretty solid way to go about it! There are a number of fairly straight-forward things you can do while at uni that will help catch employers’ eyes later in the game. Luckily for you, we’ve put them all in this guide so you can get cracking!

1. Get involved in uni communities

Joining societies and getting involved with events and communities at university is always a great idea – whether it’s your cultural societies or sports societies.

2. Get a part-time job

Whether it’s helping show prospective students around the campus or working in a coffee shop in town, you’re instantly a step above the thousands of graduates who’ve never had a job before.

3. Volunteer

Similarly to landing a part-time job, volunteering whilst you study shows that you have great time management skills – with the additional bonus that you’re devoting your time to a good cause.

4. Get to know your tutors

It’s never too early to start making industry contacts, and your professors are a great resource in terms of helping you make contacts with the outside world. After all, they’re experts in their field!

5. Use your careers advice service

You might not be intending to enter the world of work for another few years, but that’s not to say you can’t prep now for what you need to do to snag the best job.

6. Do your research

intenseresearch Even if you’re not entirely sure what you want to end up doing yet, do some research into a couple of fields you’re interested in and you should get an idea of some of the transferrable skills and experience you could start building on

7. Consider interning or work experience

Many graduate positions will be looking for some kind of experience in the industry in their candidates, and at least an indication of some level of commitment to your chosen career path. Demonstrating that you’re serious enough about your career to devote your spare time to it will look great to future employers.

8. Keep track of everything you’re doing

When you’re out drinking knock-off jägerbombs every other night, it can be somewhat tricky to keep track of all the wonderful things you’ve done during your years at uni. Putting together an online portfolio on sites like LinkedIn, or at least making sure you’re constantly updating your CV (and not just waiting until you need it to apply for a job) is a great way to showcase everything you’ve done, and will make sure you don’t miss anything out.

9. Network

There are loads of student organisations out there to help support people trying to get into specific industries, and they also run regular conferences with speakers to give you a taste of what to expect.

10. Start a business

Starting a business at university will really improve your job prospects, as regardless of how successful it is, it shows you have an entrepreneurial spirit and will make you stand out as someone who goes the extra mile.

11. Pimp up your CV

One of the best ways to show how wonderful you are is to have more on your CV than just your school grades, degree and your paper round! Do some short courses.

12. Travel

So if travelling is something you’ve always wanted to do but weren’t sure when to do it, we’d recommend indulging before you start your career, as it could seriously improve your job prospects.

13. Remember to work hard on your degree too

Last but not least, it’s easy to get totally sidetracked by all of your amazing extra-curricular activities, but try not to lose sight of why you’re there in the first place. HAVE ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS? LEAVE THEM IN THE COMMENTS BELOW GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

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