Hello graduates, your degree is over. University is over. It’s time to put on a pair of smart shoes (and possibly socks) and enter the world of employment and the rest of your adult life. But university courses don’t seem to arm graduates for the big next step. Getting a job.

I’ve been doing this for a while – I have seen many CVs and I am often surprised by the simple mistakes that are often made when applying for a role.

So, below are some tips that will reduce the chance of your application being deleted without a second look.

Get some agency experience under your belt

Any real-word experience is invaluable. I almost learnt more during my first week in a studio than I did during three years of university. If you’re still at uni, do a placement in the summer. If you’re about to leave uni, start to think about getting some work experience now.

Be honest

Being fresh out of university and never having a job, the chances are that you didn’t rebrand Red Bull. So don’t say that you did. If you did a university project rebranding Red Bull, then say that. A little fluffing of your CV is expected, but massive porkies never create a good impression.

Be yourself

Reading a CV that feels like it was written by an Apprentice contestant puts the fear of god in me. Real people are not evil business robots and can’t give 120%. Be yourself – confident not arrogant.

Spelling and grammar

Check your spelling. This seems obvious, I know. Get somebody else to read what you have written. You are about to enter a world where attention to detail is important.

Do your research

Read the job spec – find out as much about the company as you can. A little knowledge shows the employer that you are keen.

Tailor your portfolio to the role. Your vampire illustrations might not be appropriate for a role at a branding agency that works in the medical field (I dunno, they might be).

Don’t give up

Unless you’re really lucky/amazing the chances are that you won’t get the first job you apply for. This can be one of the most rewarding industries to be a part of, but also one of the most difficult to break into. Take the knock backs – go again – somebody will see your passion for design and give you your big break.

If you are a graduate and are looking for work experience or a full time role, read the above and feel free to drop us a line.