Have a Good NEWS

You 've got a nice new dimension, a brilliant career ahead of him and the world is yours - shocking isn' t it? Fear not, graduates. Our experts answer your questions

How do I clean my online profile and make it work for me?

You should be very aware of your digital presence and remember that nothing is ever really deleted - someone will have it recorded somewhere. This includes social media profiles such as Facebook and Twitter, forums and websites.

The best advice to clean up your online image is divided into three areas:

1st Privacy settings on Facebook and Twitter, you can only your footprint that you allow as friends and supporters to share - make sure you control who you accept in this loop. Of course the safest solution in order to behave well and respect these networks.

2nd

3rd Finally, get mentioned for extracurricular activity may be gold dust - comment on blogs and articles, offer opportunities for journalists and guest blog on things that you 're interested or know a lot about - everyone is a marketer after all.

Barry Furby, digital recruitment specialist and director, new resources

I 'm still nowhere with online job boards - for where else can I do?

By all means apply for open positions on major job boards - but remember that if you ve 'seen it, so has everyone else. If you 've had no joy in this way to stop applications. Instead, start hunting for jobs less obviously visible. Is because if you find one, the competition for a fraction of those go well advertised positions are - it 's time well spent.

The graduates should be aware that several job-hunting methods work for different industries. The application of blind ads for junior jobs in the media is unlikely to reap fruits - but building a network of contacts is. In public places, won all the gossip in the world 't get you through the door - you' ll have to apply through official channels as everyone else.

If you '\ ve only large companies designed to expand your search. Smaller companies have smaller budgets for advertising vacancies - and you won 't they find at recruiting fairs as stalls are so expensive. To make it your job to find out how they do recruit. Scour the trade press and see what small businesses thrive. The site has a "work \ for us" page? Your chances are better looking already.

Keep trying different techniques – and chart how successful each method is for you. Then do more of what's working – and ditch what isn't. Your time and energy are limited resources, so make sure you're using them wisely.

Tanya de Grunwald, the founder of the career site GraduateFog.co.uk

I was an unpaid internship?

Strictly speaking, the most unpaid internships illegal. That is, \ it's illegal for your employer not to pay - and that 's illegal work for free for you as you' re both undermining the national minimum wage law. The problem is that this law isn 't be enforced, the employer is free to graduates, who can afford to, for less than the minimum wage can use to work - and can exclude those' t. Since many students are desperate for experience, the result is that most internships pay nothing now, even though trainees are effectively doing a proper job for months at a time.

To change the things I 'm afraid graduates must decide whether there is an unpaid internship is a good investment for them. This is attributed to the caliber of the company (how impressive it will look on your resume) hang and what you 'll do as you' re there (it 's difficult to speak, until the tea in later interviews). But remember, there is no guarantee of a paid job at the end of it - so you have to keep applying for roles elsewhere before your internship ends.

If you do 't, unpaid, hunting for work to paid employment in a related field, rather than move, building your contacts and try to come over later. Learn more about your rights Intern Aware (internaware.org) and follow the name and shame campaign, that we are running Graduate Fog. It 's important we keep the pressure on companies to pay their interns, the wages they earn.

Tanya de Grunwald

How do I write a speculative letter?

A speculative letter or e-mail shows initiative, and because you 're not in competition with other candidates, it stands a better chance to read, and acted. First, identify companies that are expanding, the growth in industries or need your special skills.

Then use your research on your target contact. Outline the skills you offer, \ to match the company's needs. Be specific about the type of work (or role), where you can get 'd have the greatest impact in short, make a business case for hiring you.

Avoid the impersonal "Dear Sir / Madam," and find the name of the disc, if it 'sa small company or the competent department head in a larger company. In a speculative e-mail with the subject line to identify your sales pitch. Instead of the bland "request for graduate job" write "marketing graduate with strong social media competence 'for example.

Be specific. An introductory paragraph explains your interest in the company, the second summarizes your strengths and where they could be used, the last paragraph asks for a meeting.

Clare Whitmell, business communication trainer

How do I write a CV?

Be picky when you write your resume. Find items from your background that fit the job description. Voluntary, part-time or holiday work, side projects, extracurricular activities and work experience are all valid and will help you develop leadership, problem solving and teamwork skills have.

They emphasize the commercial value of your studies and show how it contributes to the company. Add depth to your education with a "Academic Highlights" Subsection focus on course work, theses, projects or awards that spotlight research or critical thinking skills or relevant.

Get the most from work experience. Don't just list duties, but highlight achievements, quantifying your impact in financial terms where possible. Avoid cliche. Use descriptive, strong vocabulary, and omit "I". ("Doubled profits" rather than "I doubled profits".) Aim for a maximum of two pages. This is a suggested CV format for a graduate:

Name and contact information.

Short Profile Their selling points.

Skills Can certain technical / business skills are acquired at closing.

Selected Services (Optional) This can of paid / unpaid work, extracurricular activities, etc. to be.

Education Studies, University of details, brief history of education), academic highlights subsection.

Professional experience followed by "success stories" give the context and impact).

Clare Whitmell

How do I make an impression at an interview?

You 've already done some preliminary work, now it' s time to do more. Find out what 's going on in the industry and this company. Find out whether you think, what you can say to demonstrate that knowledge, etc. about problems, challenges, new contracts, it is in response to questions or the questions you ask at the end. You don 't need to learn these by heart, you can write them down and refer to them.

Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills. Be nice to everyone you meet, make good eye contact, be prepared to shake hands.

Successful candidates will demonstrate energy and enthusiasm for the job so make sure you do this by the way you talk and body language. Sound interested, bend forward and put some energy into your voice.

You know, you have certain questions: Why do you want the job, your strengths and weaknesses. Prepare want to hear answers, not the ones you think the interviewer, but based on what you are about yourself and the job. Select weaknesses, the real, but not relevant to the job, such as taking criticism to heart, or better time to have to make decisions.

Denise Taylor, Career Coach

What benefits can I claim if I 't can get a job?

Once you have completed your course is, and you are looking for work, you may be entitled to claim unemployment benefit 's Allowance (JSA). It is paid by Jobcentre Plus and comes in two forms:

• Contributions-based: Paid during the first six months of unemployment, but to qualify, you have paid enough national insurance in the two years before your entitlement. For example, on most of the graduates.

• Profit-based: Paid after six months, if contributory JSA has expired, or immediately if you have not enough NI contributions paid. Maximum rates for individuals ? 53.45 per week, if you are under 25, or ? 67.50 if you are 25 or more. Unemployed couples can claim ? 105.95 per week. But you are not entitled to income-based JSA if you save more than ? 16,000 or with a partner if you have to work to live more than 24 hours per week.

To any form of JSA you need from work or work for less than 16 hours per week, and be able to work, actively seeking and available for work for at least 40 hours per week. If you qualify for income-based JSA you may be able automatically to other benefits such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, free prescriptions, dental treatment and so on hold.

To apply for JSA, phone 0800 055 6688 or fill in the online form (bit.ly/bSgaGO) on the government's public service advice website Directgov (direct.gov.uk), which has more information on benefits.

Graham Snowdon, work-editor of the Guardian

How can I deal with the post-university blues?

It 's normal low that shortly after completion. For some, it 's, because the energy flows it is needed, still, but now there's no way out, so they feel anxious. For others it 's because they' ve realized how much effort they spent 've, and they feel exhausted. Whatever the reason, here are three tips to help you feel positive again:

1st Look for the words you use. Graduation is an end, it 's right - but it also represents a new beginning. It 's more exciting to talk about the new beginnings.

2nd The key here lies in the word "beginnings" as opposed to "beginning". Instead of saying, "I need to start my career," break the task ahead into smaller steps and frame each step in a way that allows you to measure progress. So, for example, instead of expecting to "sort myself out", ask yourself to "prepare my CV", "find two referees", and "register with an employment agency". Put these goals in chronological order and focus on one at a time until you have achieved it.

3rd In the long run you will determine with reasonable certainty that the most valuable aspect of your college experience wasn 't your academic training or career counseling, but the friends you made. Make it a priority to keep in touch with those that mattered most to you during your academic career to stay.

Linda Blair, a clinical psychologist