David Winter is a careers consultant with C2, which is part of The Careers Group, University of London, and lead author of the Careers - in Theory blog
Don't take the easy option: Employers are looking for people who stretch themselves. They will often ask interview questions about when you have set yourself a challenging goal, or about particular achievements you are proud of.
Where are you going to get material to answer these questions if you only ever do things that are easily within your capabilities? If you only do the minimum you can get away with, how will you demonstrate your potential? This isn't just about getting a good grade in your degree, you also need to think about developing in-demand skills to the highest level you can.
This will mean stepping outside your comfort zone and doing things that scare you. If you're afraid of giving presentations, look for opportunities to present. If you're OK with presentations, look for more challenging presenting opportunities. If you're doing mundane part-time work to bring in money, ask about taking on more responsibility.
As you do more things, your confidence will increase. You will probably make mistakes – don't worry. Learn from them and look for opportunities to do better next time. Whatever specific skills or qualifications employers may look for, they are always interested in graduates who can show initiative and who are able to develop themselves.
Dr Peter Slowe is founder and director of Projects Abroad, which offers short-term overseas volunteer work placements
Time spent volunteering abroad can help get you noticed: Volunteering abroad doesn't automatically get you a job when you get back home, but it helps you to get noticed and shortlisted. If there are 500 applicants for 20 posts in a company, the HR department has to go through all the CVs to select applicants for interview.
If you have a degree and have worked for a supermarket in the holidays, then that puts you in with almost every other applicant. On the other hand, if you've worked on a human rights project in Cape Town or have helped to save a coral reef off Cambodia, then there's really something to talk about, so you're more likely to get chosen for an interview.
There are also real vocational volunteering projects like working in a law firm in Shanghai or medical projects in Mexico that most certainly helps with applications for particular jobs. It's not a complete answer but since it's also something that's really worth doing anyway, you should consider adding volunteering abroad to your CV.
Glyn Heath is managing director of IT consultancy Centiq
Paid employment alongside your studies can boost your CV: In a recent round of interviews, we looked for candidates who showed a level of maturity in their CV. University is quite an artificial environment, so even though work experience isn't necessarily a deciding factor, it can certainly help to differentiate you from the crowd and show that you can operate in the real world.
For example, one of our six graduates was an assistant manager of a pub chain, showing us that he had the necessary communication skills and work commitment for the job.
Becky Ascough is project manager at Graduates Yorkshire, a social enterprise which matches graduates to employers in the region
An internship could lead to a full-time job – and boost your skills: Competition for graduate roles is fierce, so work experience is essential in order for graduates to stand out from the crowd – but many students struggle to afford to take on unpaid work.
An internship scheme aims to make graduates more employable by offering paid work experience, coaching and mentoring. Lots of businesses use internships to identify graduate talent and it gives graduates the chance to impress – but also to see if a role is right for them.
In the past year we have placed 130 interns in Yorkshire businesses and 85% of these have continued into full-time employment. Those who aren't successful have still gained valuable work experience and skills to stand them in good stead for securing future employment.
Penny de Valk is the chief executive of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
It's not just what you've done, it's how you present it: Take the time to tailor your CV and covering letter to the requirements of the role you are applying for, and pay attention to the language you use – its not just what you say, but how you say it that counts.
Business communication should be focused, concise and evidence-based, which can be a stretch for some graduate applicants. Steer clear of cliches. Stand out from the thousands of other hardworking and ambitious team playersby focusing on your achievements in and out of work and study, and how they showcase these particular qualities.
Ayesha Patel is a regional development manager for the business education charity Career Academies UK
Get the most out of work placements: It is important to identify a mentor at the beginning of your placement – someone who you can emulate and seek advice from. Think about what you want to achieve from your experience, such as particular skills or a network of contacts, and make sure you discuss these with your mentor.
It is also important to evaluate your own experience, thinking carefully about how well you complete each task, what type of activities you enjoy and what you do not like. This is very helpful in helping you decide what kind of career you would enjoy and be successful in.
One other thing that often gets overlooked about work experience is the post-experience follow-up. Whether your placement is six weeks or six months long, make the most of it as it will last a lot longer on your CV.
Keep in touch with your mentor and other contacts, as not only your academic qualifications, but also your workplace skills and the people you impress along the way, will help shape your future.
Ruth Spellman is chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute
Think about ways you can boost your skills while still studying: While internships and work placements are a great way to prepare yourself for the world of work, you will also find that many of the activities you already take part in at university will be contributing to your skillset. For example, by taking part in a student union society you can demonstrate your ability to work as part of a team, lead people and manage projects.
There's a lot of data out there which suggests employers are particularly impressed by graduates with professional as well as their academic qualifications.
If you really want to stand out from the crowd, you should think about taking qualifications in leadership and management while at university. It says to employers: "I've gone that extra mile" and because the skills are transferable, they can genuinely act as a career passport. More details on the qualifications that CMI offer can be found here.
