17 July 2009
	PREPARATION Career ER: rescue your future By Naomi Roux With just six months to go before the end of your studies, it isn't too late to beef up your CV and improve your chances of landing a great job

If you're in your final year of study, you're probably looking for a job. Extracurricular activities, internships, and volunteer work are useful additions to your CV by the time you graduate, but even if you haven't pursued any of these while studying, you can still improve your chances of landing a job. Career development educator Raj Naran at the Wits University Counselling & Career Development Unit suggests you start by identifying areas on your CV that need improvement. Then consider how to fill some of these gaps in the short term. He warns, however, "there is no quick fix", so be sure to set reasonable and realistic short-term goals. Present your existing skills and experience as positively as you can, as when an employer interviews a recent graduate, they aren't looking for experience, but rather, for transferable skills. Your degree demonstrates an ability to acquire knowledge and analyse information, and group work or research projects should have developed your teamwork skills, or your ability to work independently - so be sure to emphasise these when applying for jobs. Highlight any computer skills you have. If these skills are lacking, take a short proficiency course. The initiative shown in this step, as well as the actual skills gained, should really work in your favour when job hunting. Naran adds that any work experience is an excellent boost to your CV as a new graduate. As you gain more relevant work experience you will want to drop that part-time waitressing job from your CV, but at this stage it demonstrates your ability to take the initiative, work in a team, and provide good service. These "soft skills" will help you in any workplace. Offer your services as an informal tutor. Even if you have one or two takers in the next six months, it will boost your CV, and confidence. Any experience you can get in your preferred industry is a bonus. It may be too late to look for student work related to your career goals, but you could still set up a short internship before you graduate. Most universities have a break in September, which you could use to spend working at a company in your field. Besides giving you practical skills, an internship will help you make contacts in your industry, and shows that you are proactive and prepared to work hard to gain experience. Gina de Villiers, account manager at PR Worx, says: "I did an internship with a digital marketing company in the last six months of my degree. Though it wasn't exactly in my chosen field, the experience and skills I gained helped me to land my first job after graduating, with a PR agency." Volunteer or charity work is a great way to demonstrate that you are a well-rounded person, while great references can also stand you in good stead. You may not have work experience, but a vote of confidence from a respected business person or lecturer could make all the difference. Be sure to supply their contact details on your CV. Naran suggests you should "stay positive, be honest with yourself, and set reasonable goals". If your CV isn't as impressive as you'd like it to be, adjust your career goals by starting a little lower down the ladder than you'd like, or in a related sector, and make contacts to help you break into your dream job later on. If you haven't used the past few years as fully as possible, remember that persistence, a realistic approach and a positive attitude are your most powerful tools to help you fill those gaps on your CV, and land that job.