Tips and advice for new graduates

Elevate Communication is in the fortunate position of managing steady and exciting growth.

With our new name, new brand and new clients, we’re looking for talented, inspiring and motivated recruits, who can bring different levels of experience and talents to our team.

We’re recruiting interns, account coordinators and account managers – if you know anyone, we encourage you to refer them to our door.  Elevate offers great clients, interesting work and a supportive, experienced team to work with and learn from. Similarly, we’re seeking team members who will challenge us, motivate us to grow and bring skills that we can learn.

With recruitment, we have enjoyed meeting prospective candidates with a multitude of skill sets and professional backgrounds over recent weeks. As such, we believe we can safely offer some words of wisdom to the 2015 round of university graduates about to embark on the next stage of their career and join the job hunt.

1. Treat every interview as an opportunity. If you arrive at a reception desk and it’s apparent the culture isn’t right, treat the interview as a good opportunity to practise your elevator pitch. Be respectful and finetune your answers so you’re prepared for a role that is a better fit. Employers understand an interview is a two-way experience where they’re also being assessed as a prospective boss.

A good way to determine if a workplace is the right fit for you is to look at social media to gain some insight into a company’s culture.

1. Those of us that have been around the block a few times (Gen Xs) admire and are inspired by your confidence, drive and enthusiasm. However, we don’t owe you a job, you will need to prove your ability and there will be times when you will be required to work your way ‘up’ and take on some more of the administrative tasks in your first position.  
2. Practical internships and work experience are a great opportunity for you to gain valuable insight into your chosen career and give you a foot in the door, network and make impressions. The job market is competitive, so do try and secure unpaid, short-term roles – they will pay off in the long run and could even lead to an employment offer.  Read our intern Sam Moore’s blog for first hand information on how internships have helped him to grow.
3. Research. It may seem obvious, but most prospective employers are busy – that’s why they’re recruiting. Look at the company’s website, review their business and come armed with smart questions – don’t seek information that is already in the public realm.
4. Don’t reign in your enthusiasm. We understand your first job isn’t a life- long commitment and do want to hear about your goals and aspirations so we can help ensure you’re directed into areas of the business that will support your growth, are given tasks that you will enjoy and thrive with. While work isn’t always fun, we understand that you will tend to do a better job if it’s aligned with tasks you enjoy or feel passionate about.

Good luck with your job hunt, stay motivated and take every opportunity to network and learn new skills. Keep an eye on our Careers’ page and LinkedIn to find your next role.