September is a month of new beginnings. For students, it\u2019s the start of a new academic year. For football fans, it\u2019s the exciting kick-off of the season. For those who join a gym, it\u2019s the month they realize that paying the membership fee doesn\u2019t count as working out.<\/p>\n
But September is also a milestone for many recent graduates: after years of preparation, it\u2019s time to take the leap into the job market and face, for the first time, the challenge of job hunting. But after all\u2026 what are recruiters really looking for in junior profiles?<\/p>\n
In this article, four Talent Acquisition Consultants from Neotalent Conclusion (Ricardo Domingues<\/a>,<\/span><\/span><\/span> M\u00f3nica Rosa<\/a>, <\/span><\/span><\/span>Bel\u00e9n<\/span><\/span><\/span> Saraullo<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> and <\/span><\/span><\/span>Manuel<\/span><\/span><\/span> Carrillo<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>)<\/span> share their direct experience with recruitment processes. From how to stand out in a competitive market to how to handle rejection, their advice serves as a practical guide to taking your first professional steps with confidence<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a fact: the job market is saturated and, by necessity, highly competitive. It\u2019s not unusual to see a job posting on your favorite portal with the tag \u201c100+ applications\u201d just hours after being published.<\/p>\n Competing under such conditions, with no prior experience, may seem impossible. But our Talent Acquisition colleagues agree on one thing: what makes the difference is attitude and how you tell your own story<\/strong>.<\/p>\n According to Ricardo, a well-prepared CV with attention to detail is key<\/strong>: \u201cWithout professional experience, it\u2019s important to go into detail about your academic path: highlight the projects you worked on, the tasks you performed, and the tools and technologies you used.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n M\u00f3nica reinforces this by debunking a common myth: \u201cJunior candidates often think recruiters only skim a CV, when in reality, the details are highly differentiating.\u201d<\/em> For her, it\u2019s not only about education but also about what shows initiative and commitment<\/strong>: \u201chobbies or volunteer initiatives\u2026 often associated with responsibility and commitment, and they help develop soft skills like teamwork, communication, and negotiation.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Bel\u00e9n highlights authenticity and the effort to stand out in a CV, even without experience, reminding us: \u201cWhat we\u2019re really looking for are your motivations<\/strong>: what you enjoy, what drove you to learn more to the point of pursuing further studies, what led you to your final thesis (or even a master\u2019s).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n For Manu, both personal projects and honesty matter<\/strong>: \u201cHaving some personal project is always positive\u2026 but what really builds trust is not trying to fill the CV with unnecessary or invented information.\u201d<\/em> Ricardo adds a warning: overly formal language can make it harder<\/strong> to understand what truly defines a candidate.<\/p>\n The basic ingredients for job hunting are within everyone\u2019s reach: a well-structured CV with academic experience, contact details, and a professional photo; profiles created on a couple of job platforms; and a cover letter explaining your enthusiasm to work at \u201cCompany X\u201d\u2026 But, just like in cooking, basic ingredients alone make for a bland recipe.<\/p>\n A common mistake is sending the same CV to every vacancy. \u201cPerhaps the most common mistake is that candidates send a very generic CV<\/em><\/strong>,\u201d warns Manu. M\u00f3nica agrees: \u201cA frequent mistake is sending the same CV for all applications, without personalizing or adapting it<\/strong>.\u201d<\/em> Ricardo adds: \u201cTailoring your CV to each opportunity is not just a bonus, it\u2019s proof of attention to detail.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The advice is clear: tailor your CV, highlight relevant projects, and detail the technologies used, even in academic or personal contexts<\/strong>. At this point, Bel\u00e9n offers practical tips: \u201cWhen writing your CV, don\u2019t be stingy with words and don\u2019t limit yourself to a single page\u2026 the applications that stand out become hidden gems because they include details others omit.\u201d<\/em> Among those details, Bel\u00e9n highlights:<\/p>\n names of projects you participated in, even in support roles;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n tasks performed during internships, however small;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n volunteer experiences or Erasmus, showing adaptability and proactivity;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n your final thesis, with the title and, if possible, links or tools used;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n personal projects or ongoing training, directly related to your professional future..<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n As for channels, everyone points to LinkedIn as the main tool<\/strong>. Ricardo explains: \u201cIt\u2019s the platform with the most potential and features for a candidate entering the job market. It allows you to discover opportunities, follow companies of interest, and build a network.\u201d<\/em> Manu adds that simply applying isn\u2019t enough: \u201cI always advise accompanying each application with a short, direct message.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that not everything happens online<\/strong>: \u201cUniversity job fairs are also great opportunities to learn more about companies, their areas of work, entry-level positions, and to ask questions directly to company representatives,\u201d<\/em> Ricardo reminds us.<\/p>\n Interviews are milestones in every application, and it\u2019s natural to feel nervous. But, as Bel\u00e9n reminds us: \u201cThere\u2019s no need to be afraid of expressing yourself and showing confidence. The first goal has already been achieved: you caught our attention.<\/strong>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Ricardo recommends researching the company thoroughly, even contacting employees on LinkedIn to be better prepared. Manu adds: \u201cPre-interview preparation is often underestimated: knowing the company, its culture, what it does, its size, and preparing key questions<\/strong>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Personal presentation is just as important<\/strong>, as Ricardo emphasizes: \u201cWe perceive potential more easily when a candidate demonstrates self-awareness<\/strong> of their motivations, interests, academic or personal projects, communicating in an organized way and presenting skills with concrete examples.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n M\u00f3nica stresses that posture matters as much as speech<\/strong>: showing enthusiasm, listening carefully, communicating clearly, and maintaining eye contact all help build human connections<\/strong>. Manu also offers a practical tip: \u201cIt\u2019s important to be in a comfortable, quiet place\u2026 many interviews happen on trains or in the street, and that doesn\u2019t convey seriousness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n In the end, all four agree: what sets a promising junior apart isn\u2019t having perfect answers, but curiosity, communication skills, and a genuine eagerness to learn<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one knows more about you than you do, so there are no right or wrong answers when you talk about who you are and what motivates you in the job market,\u201d<\/em> concludes Bel\u00e9n.<\/p>\n Getting a \u201cno\u201d or no response can be discouraging<\/strong>, especially at the start. But it\u2019s rarely a reflection of a candidate\u2019s abilities<\/strong>: more often, it depends on competition, timing, or even the company\u2019s budget. As Manu explains: \u201cEvery process is a new opportunity: you gain confidence by answering questions, you learn to structure responses better, and you refine the way you convey your experience and motivation.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n M\u00f3nica shares the same view: rejection should be seen as \u201can opportunity for growth.\u201d<\/em> She advises asking for feedback and not hesitating to follow up politely<\/strong>: many recruiters remember candidates who left a good impression.<\/p>\n Following up is also one of Ricardo\u2019s points: a \u201cno\u201d should be understood as training for future processes. \u201cWhen receiving negative feedback, it\u2019s important to ask the recruiter what didn\u2019t go so well and what can be improved<\/strong>,\u201d<\/em> he notes, reminding us that silence doesn\u2019t necessarily mean rejection.<\/p>\n Bel\u00e9n brings a practical perspective: \u201cyour first job is to find a job.\u201d<\/em> Like any job, it requires effort, organization, and resilience, but also rest to maintain motivation<\/strong>. Job hunting itself is a learning process where improvement comes with practice.<\/p>\n In short, a \u201cno\u201d never means \u201cyou\u2019re worthless\u201d: it\u2019s part of a path where resilience, seeking feedback, and a proactive attitude make all the difference.<\/p>\n For a junior candidate, every step in the job market is new<\/strong>: the first CV, the first interview, the first job. As Bel\u00e9n reminds us, what remains constant are your abilities, your knowledge, and your motivations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Potential is not measured in a straight line or by comparison with others. As Manu summarizes: \u201cA career is not a straight line nor a competition<\/strong>, but a journey of personal discovery and continuous growth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n To follow that path, M\u00f3nica recommends setting goals, building a network, and not being afraid to step out of your comfort zone<\/strong>. She learned that hiding limitations isn\u2019t necessary: being genuine and honest creates trust and shows real motivation.<\/p>\n Ricardo agrees: staying curious and continuing to learn, even after landing your first job, is essential. He suggests identifying areas for improvement, reinforcing them through training, and using each recruitment process to gain clarity about your interests and strengths<\/strong>. He also highlights a key lesson: in interviews, long technical answers aren\u2019t enough\u2014you need to share concrete examples and communicate transparently.<\/p>\n Starting your professional journey may be challenging, but it\u2019s also a unique opportunity for growth. What feels like uncertainty today will turn into experience and confidence tomorrow. And along the way, the most valuable asset is not a flawless CV, but the ability to learn, embrace new opportunities, and keep curiosity alive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Por<\/span><\/span><\/span> Ricardo Domingues<\/a>,<\/span><\/span><\/span> M\u00f3nica Rosa<\/a>, <\/span><\/span><\/span>Bel\u00e9n<\/span><\/span><\/span> Saraullo<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> & <\/span><\/span><\/span>Manuel<\/span><\/span><\/span> Carrillo<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Talent<\/span> <\/span><\/span>Acquisition<\/span><\/span><\/span> Consultants<\/span><\/span><\/span> at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Neotalent <\/span><\/span><\/span>Conclusion<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Starting a career is both exciting and challenging for recent graduates. In this article, four Talent Acquisition Consultants at Neotalent Conclusion share first-hand advice on how to tailor your CV, stand out in interviews, and handle rejection with confidence. Discover what recruiters look for in junior candidates and learn how to take your first professional steps with motivation, resilience, and authenticity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17427,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/neotalentconclusion.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/neotalentconclusion.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/neotalentconclusion.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neotalentconclusion.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neotalentconclusion.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17434"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/neotalentconclusion.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17435,"href":"https:\/\/neotalentconclusion.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17434\/revisions\/17435"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neotalentconclusion.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/neotalentconclusion.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neotalentconclusion.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neotalentconclusion.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Standing Out in a Competitive Market<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Searching and Applying for Opportunities<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
The Interview Moment<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Dealing with Rejection and Uncertainty<\/h2>\n
In Conclusion\u2026<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n