6 clever and unique gift ideas for new grads

Graduating from high school, college or university is a big deal and a special gift is a nice way to celebrate a graduate’s achievements. If you’d like an alternative to giving cash, here are six clever and unique gift ideas for new grads.

Many new university graduates struggle to find jobs. In today's competitive market, finding a job is sometimes more about who you know than your qualifications.

• As a result, one of the best graduation gifts you can give a person who has yet to secure a full-time position is help with finding an internship.
• Perhaps you work for a company that is looking for an intern or you have connections in the business world. Many internships lead to full-time job offers upon completion, so this can be a great way to help a graduate start their career.

A diploma is great for the office wall, but a black leather briefcase can be carried from meeting to meeting and lends an air of professionalism.

• Practical and stylish, a leather briefcase can be a great gift for a graduate about to enter the workforce.

For graduates who are not returning to their childhood home and are instead living in their first apartment, a gift card makes the perfect present.

• Get a gift card to a store that sells a wide range of practical household goods as this will help the graduate purchase the items they need to live independently.

While there is no substitute for Mom's (or Dad's) home-cooked meals, giving cooking lessons to a graduate is a helpful way to prepare them for living on their own.

• Not only is knowing how to cook a great way to impress a date, but it will also save the graduate from spending money on eating out on a regular basis.

These days applying for a job is often highly competitive, so it is important to have a resume that stands out to a recruiter.

• Most hiring managers have only a few minutes to scan a resume and make a decision about whether to contact the candidate.
• A resume service can take a graduate's uninspired resume and make it relevant, competitive and eye-catching for a nominal fee.

Making a good first impression at a job interview is imperative. As a result, giving the gift of new clothes is practical for graduates looking to embark upon a career.

• Whether it's a new shirt and tie, a blazer or a pair of shoes, new additions to a graduate's wardrobe can help boost their confidence and chances of success.

If you know someone who is graduating and would like to give a gift other than cash, these six suggestions are excellent options that are both practical and personal.