As a newly minted graduate, embarking on the job-seeking journey can be both daunting and exhilarating. Transitioning from the neatly timetabled world of university into your future career can feel like stepping into the unknown; thankfully, you don’t need to do it alone when specialist recruiters with industry-leading expertise are in your corner. Here at Salexo, we pride ourselves on matching talented grads to their ideal roles within our extensive network of client companies. With job prospects abundant right now, here’s how to make the most of graduate opportunities and position yourself in the best light.

Lesson #1 – Scout out the best graduate programs

Sometimes you just need to try a role on for size and walk around in it for a while to see if it is a good fit for your personality and attributes. This is where graduate or early career programs come in. Such programs, which generally run for 18-24 months, offer a taster of different sales specialisations, dedicated graduate mentoring by account executives, and are an ideal way to learn the ropes across a diverse business.

Lesson #2 – Develop a compelling elevator pitch

If you want to showcase your pitching potential, you’ll need to get comfortable promoting yourself in front of prospective employers. Recruiters and employers are looking for someone who stands out from the crowd, so a mundane listing of credentials will not be particularly inspiring. Put together a concise top-line summary that encapsulates who you are, your ‘why,’ and what you have achieved.

Lesson #3 – Flaunt your experience

Don’t underestimate the experience of the humble uni telemarketing or retail job. More than just smiling behind a counter and ringing up transactions, think about how your experience demonstrates your ability to generate sales, motivate a team, and manage inventory efficiently. Don’t forget to highlight relevant soft skills and attributes, such as interpersonal skills, using specific examples.

Lesson #4 – You don’t need a dedicated degree or technical knowledge in sales

While most entry-level graduate sales roles will attract candidates who have an undergraduate degree in business or communications, there are no rules against unconventional tertiary pathways into sales. Don’t count yourself out if you are an Arts or Science graduate with sales experience and a tonne of transferrable skills and sought-after attributes; you may well be the wild card candidate a company is searching for.

Lesson #5 – Curate your online presence

There’s no denying that first impressions matter in sales. Be sure to curate your digital footprint to enhance your professional persona. First up, some spring cleaning is in order. Tidy up your social media and make necessary changes to your privacy settings. Second, take the time to refresh your LinkedIn profile with a professional headshot, up-to-date experience, education and achievements, and a profile summary that succinctly showcases your suitability for sales roles using relevant industry keywords. Even though you might tweak different position applications, ensure consistency across your CV, recruitment and LinkedIn profiles.

It’s time to dream big with Salexo. Register with us today to take the first step in landing your dream sales role.