Getting a foot in the door in any job industry can be extremely hard, largely because it’s so competitive and there are heaps of like-minded, talented and worthy candidates out there, all striving for similar goals and all qualified with similar skills.

There are a few things you can do to differentiate yourself of course, and ways of adding an assortment of strings to your bow - when in university and, as a graduate. A degree is a great starting block; but employers can sometimes look for something else when they are going through their pile of CVs, and extra-curricular activities can go a long way.

While at university, you could think about joining different societies. Often at your Fresher’s Ball, in the first week of university, there will be a number of societies and club representatives vying for your attention. Trying something out, like Drama Club or Rowing Club, can diversify your CV and make your time at university look a little more interesting. 

An even better move perhaps, would be to join the student paper, as journalist, photographer or editor. Taking on the meaty role of Newspaper Editor will sparkle on a CV and show a future employer that you used an English Degree in a practical and interesting way.

When you leave university, you should probably still consider that you will want to keep dressing up your CV and that your university experiences alone may not be enough to secure you a job just yet. Think about internships and work experience to strengthen your CV. Yes, it’s unpaid, but long-term it’s a good investment that can give you the vital experience employers are looking for.

If you’re ready to hunt down jobs, then make it easier for yourself by doing it online. A website like Reed.co.uk has a regularly updated list of jobs across the country in a variety of fields, and can notify you when they come in, depending on your interests and qualifications. It makes the application process a lot easier when somebody else has scoured all the advertisements for you, and put them in a concise collection for you to view.

It’s worth noting that media industries - like TV and production companies -  are quite dependant on networking ; building contacts can play a significant part in landing a job. In fact, the BBC recognises the value of unpaid experience and offers its own internship programmes and schemes to encourage graduates, or anybody keen to get a foot in the door.