As we enter mid-June, university students around the world are completing exams and tossing their graduation caps as they prepare to enter the next phase of their lives. However, with the world on the rebound from one of the worst economic crises in history, this can be a very uncertain time for many. As a Recruitment Manager at Meltwater Group, I wanted to share a few simple tips for standing out from the crowd.

1. Attitude is everything. A candidate’s attitude is something every company will be evaluating in interviews. Your attitude gives a window into your work habits, and if you come across as warm, enthusiastic and teachable, employers will feel confident bringing you on to the team. Be conscious of your body language, and remember a simple smile can go a long way. Interviews are your chance to sell yourself, and enthusiasm sells.
2. Know yourself. This can be tougher than it sounds, but it’s important to answer questions about yourself clearly and confidently in pressure-filled interview situations. One way that you can prepare for this is to take the time to write down the areas in your life where you have succeeded, and the areas where you have experienced less success, or even failure. Then you can be proactive about anticipating questions and hopefully talk clearly about your strengths, your weaknesses and how you are overcoming your weaknesses.
3. Be professional. We all know that first impressions are vital in making a lasting impression, but most of us do not realize that first impressions come in many forms. It’s not just about how you dress, it’s everything from how you structure your emails, to your cover letter, to your resume, to your LinkedIn profile, to your twitter account or photos on your facebook page. If you want a professional career, you need to portray yourself as a professional in every aspect of your life. This will lead to increased job opportunities, faster promotions, and overall more success in the business place.

All of these tips are things that you can control yourself. At this stage, there is no time for more internships, more leadership experience, more extra-curricular activities, or better exams scores. With university life behind you, take advantage of these tips while job hunting and you will turn some heads in the interview room.

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