Adopting a blend of modern job hunting techniques and solid, traditional work ethics can help new graduates get their first step onto the career ladder. Career coach Ford R Myers and Visual CV said in the modern job market, a simple paper resume can be a "great start" - but there are many other applications graduates can now utilize to give them the edge over the competition. Online resumes, for example, allow graduates to link to educational achievements, video clips and photographs to give a fuller picture of their skills and accomplishments. In addition, graduates should also ensure they have an online presence through sites such as Facebook, Mr Myers said - but they must be careful to effectively manage how they appear online, as employers are increasingly using the web to research job applicants. However, he added, while embracing technology can help to launch a career, adhering to age-old work ethics can take it to new heights. Mr Myers said the qualities many employers value most highly include patience, discipline, respect, industriousness and punctuality. "The new employees who will get ahead are the ones who embrace and embody these traits," he said. Other attributes regularly ranked by employers as the most sought-after include communication skills, computer literacy and analytical abilities.  |