Students & early careers

Starting out? Here's what actually gets you hired.

We headhunt for a living, so we see the CVs and profiles that get shortlisted and the ones that never get opened. This advice is free, honest and written for people entering the workplace for the first time.

The first-job playbook

01

Build a CV around evidence

No duty lists. Every bullet should show what you did, what changed and how you know. Coursework, part time work and societies all count when framed as outcomes.

02

Make LinkedIn findable

Recruiters search by keyword, not by potential. Put your target job title, tools and location in your headline and About section so you appear in their searches.

03

Apply narrowly, research deeply

Twenty tailored applications beat two hundred generic ones. Learn the employer's market, name a specific reason you want them, and follow up once.

04

Interview like a professional

Prepare six stories in a situation, action, result shape and reuse them. Always arrive with two questions about the team's priorities for the next year.

Guides & articles

Showing 11 of 11 guides

LinkedIn tips

The daily and weekly habits that build a personal brand

Hashtags, keywords and VIP lists , plus the exact daily and weekly routine we give candidates who want to be visible to hiring managers.

7 August 2026 · 4 min read

Read the guide
LinkedIn tips

Build a LinkedIn profile that gets you found

It is no longer enough to simply exist on LinkedIn. Here is how to build a profile that attracts attention, says the right things and connects you with people who can help.

7 August 2026 · 5 min read

Read the guide
CV advice

What to put in your CV , and what to leave out

A headhunter's checklist of what belongs in a CV, what quietly costs you interviews, and the formatting rules that keep you past the applicant tracking system.

7 August 2026 · 5 min read

Read the guide
LinkedIn tips

How to write a LinkedIn profile headhunters actually find

Search visibility is a keyword problem before it is a writing problem. A practical structure for getting found.

26 July 2026 · 5 min read

Read the guide
Student & early careers

Your first graduate job: what actually matters in the first 90 days

No one tells you the unwritten rules of a first professional role. These are the ones that matter most.

18 July 2026 · 6 min read

Read the guide
Interview advice

Six interview answers that consistently land at senior level

The questions barely change. The quality of the answers is where senior candidates separate themselves.

10 July 2026 · 5 min read

Read the guide
CV advice

The five CV mistakes costing experienced candidates interviews

After reviewing several thousand CVs, the same five problems come up again and again.

3 July 2026 · 4 min read

Read the guide
Student & early careers

Placement years and internships: how to choose one that pays off

Not every placement improves your employability. Here is how to judge the offer in front of you.

26 June 2026 · 5 min read

Read the guide
LinkedIn tips

Using Linkedin for Headhunting: Our Five Top Tips

Whether you’re a HR professional, a budding recruiter or a senior engineer looking to hire, the ability to source top talent efficiently is essential for organisational success. With over 1 billion users worldwide, LinkedIn stands out as the leading professional platform, offering unparalleled...

8 December 2024 · 3 min read

Read the guide
Interview advice

A Guide to Structuring Interviews with Effective Questions

When it comes to recruitment, interviewing is an indispensable tool for identifying the right candidates for a job. However, conducting interviews that truly unearth the skills, experiences, and personalities of potential hires requires more than just asking generic questions. A structured...

7 June 2024 · 4 min read

Read the guide
Interview advice

Interview Techniques That Every Employer Needs to Know

The hiring process is often fraught with stress and high expectations. From sifting through a sea of resumes to identifying potential candidates who not only fit the job description but also align with your company’s culture, the journey can be arduous. When you finally narrow down the...

22 February 2024 · 3 min read

Read the guide

Want your CV checked before you apply?

Upload it for free AI feedback scored the way a headhunter reads it, then fix it yourself, or ask us to write it for you.

Get free CV feedback