By Daniela Aroche
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the youth unemployment rate increased to 24% in February as the GFC continues to impact on graduates and recent school-leavers. As a result, industry experts are urging graduates to put an extra spring in their step and be innovative in their approaches in order to make an impression on prospective employers.
"We're seeing more employers become increasingly risk-averse. The general graduate population will struggle to source employment opportunities in the current market, but for those willing to step outside their comfort zone, up-skill themselves and re-think their approach, this is a time when opportunities will present themselves," said Rameet Chowdhary, Director of Red Giraffe Recruitment & Search.
From a law firm point of view, Chowdhary says that graduates need to understand that legal firms in the current market are risk-averse. In other words, they have shifted their focus from revenue generation to cost management.
"As such, there is a strong imperative to hire graduates who, first and foremost, can present themselves as a solid investment - someone who is likely to stick with the firm for at least six months and save it from another recruitment drive, which can often cost up to 150% of the salary of the vacant position," he said.
Secondly, firms are actively seeking graduates that can also demonstrate strong potential and a solid cultural fit.
Chowdhary says the key to demonstrating the qualities listed above begins with building a sense of both into the resume.
"This means placing an emphasis on key competencies and capabilities as well as researching prospective employers to get to know their businesses and understand their values, then linking these on paper with their own competencies. This demonstrates thoughtfulness and dedication to the position and firm in question", he said.
And it doesn't really matter whether you are targeting a top-tier, mid-tier, large, boutique, international or local firm. It's a n all-round approach, says Chowdhary.
"Regardless of the organisation, geographic location or culture of the business, graduates must be diligent, meticulous, relentless and proactive when seeking employment. Generally speaking this process does not fail!"
He also points out that graduates should be taking a proactive approach towards job searching and invest the spare time in upgrading their skills to further improve their appeal as a candidate.
"Upskill yourself! The transition from student to employee is challenging. This is not so much a reflection on the abilities of most graduates, but more so, on the lack of practical job skills training available to students in the mainstream academic institutional environment," he said.
"For the most part graduates struggle to understand the competencies required to undertake the position for which they are applying. Those that prepare diligently, on the other hand, and arm themselves with such knowledge build what we call congruency or common ground between themselves and the employer."