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How to find your first graduate job

How to find your first graduate job

In this article we have focused on tips to help you find your first graduate job:

In 2019-20, UK universities awarded 761,215 qualifications.  Based on statistics, undergraduate qualifications made up approximately 60% of these while close to 40% were postgraduate degrees. The above data highlights how competitive the job market could be for those applying for their first graduate job.

You may have studied hard for years and achieved some excellent grades. You probably thought that your life would become easier once you leave university. A large proportion of university students study for a non-vocational degree (e.g. Business Management, Politics, History, Literature). Vocational degrees include Sciences, Engineering, Computing, and Medicine just to mention a few. Vocational degrees are tailored towards a specific occupation and are suited to subject areas that have a clear line to professional paths. Those who complete a non-vocational degree may not always have specific career aspirations and this could make job searching more challenging. Many people find that a good degree is no longer enough to guarantee a graduate job. Employers are increasingly looking for previous work experience as well as the ability to demonstrate soft skills such as time management, organisation, critical thinking, and excellent communication skills.

In the post-pandemic world, more and more companies provide flexible and remote working opportunities. As a result, they can recruit from a wider range of geographical areas. When a company can reach more candidates, competition is likely to increase for each vacancy.

Treat it like a project

Think about your job search as a project. You might find it helpful to create a spreadsheet and note details of your job applications. You could record where you have found the job you are applying for, the date of submitting the application, the status of the application, when you plan to follow up, etc. Once you see a suitable vacancy, do apply as soon as you can. Recruiters may close applications earlier than the indicated deadline date if they receive a large number of applications. Applying early would ensure that you do not miss out on valuable job opportunities.

You might like to visit the jobs.ac.uk platform to keep informed about professional and support roles within the UK Higher Education sector and globally. According to recent research,  the UK Higher Education sector supports more than 815,000 jobs in England. If you would like to work in the sector, there are lots of exciting career options you could choose from.

Quality matters

You might be tempted to submit generalised applications and save time. For most people, it can take a few hours to craft a bespoke CV and cover letter. Do not forget that recruiters can easily notice if you have submitted generalised application materials. Make sure that you carefully look at the job description and application criteria and submit tailor-made materials for each job you are applying for. You might find it helpful to ask a friend to proofread your files and make some suggestions for improvements. If you have not had any substantial work experience, you could consider taking up volunteering. This would help you to gain valuable professional experience, boost your CV and to develop professional connections. You might end up being offered a job at the place where you are volunteering.

Complete further studies

A Ph.D. could open some ‘doors’ for you: working as a post-doc, a university lecturer, accepting a position in industry, being a business consultant, or becoming an entrepreneur. According to the University of Plymouth, people complete a PhD for a number of reasons: becoming an expert in their chosen field, engaging in research, and expanding their network. Your studies could provide you with the opportunity to become part of a closely-knit academic community and dive deep into your area of interest.

A master’s degree could accelerate your career progress and demonstrate expertise in a chosen field. It could be a stepping stone to doctorate studies. According to the 2018-19 Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by HESA, graduates and postgraduates are likely to be working or completing further study 15 months after leaving university. Postgraduates are 11% more likely to be in full-time employment compared to those with a bachelor’s degree.

Be flexible

Have you been submitting a number of applications without success? You might be applying to some of the most competitive employers. Well-known private-sector employers who offer higher graduate salaries tend to receive significantly more applications and competition for these vacancies could be fierce.  It might be helpful to diversify your applications. Look at some smaller companies outside of the popular London area.  Try to be as flexible as you can in terms of your salary expectations. Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Consider a range of sectors and industries as opposed to concentrating on one specialised professional field.

It could be helpful to assess your soft skills and see how you could improve in each area. If you struggle to give presentations, you could sign up for your local Toastmasters group and become a more confident public speaker. Would you like to improve your interview skills? You could ask a friend or a family member to practice mock interviews with you. Are there any technical skills that could boost your applications? You could learn new IT skills from the comfort of your home.

Network

Although searching for jobs online is a great approach, you could also attend face-to-face career events.  There are lots of career fairs and events you could take part in and introduce yourself to recruiters. Make sure that you maintain communications with your university’s career department. They might be able to offer you career coaching, give advice on how to improve your applications and let you know about upcoming job fairs.

Further information for graduates:

  • Job Search Tips in a Post-COVID World
  • Completing a Job Application
  • 10-Step Checklist Before You Send Your Application
  • Professional Jobs in HE

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Henrietta Nagy

Henrietta Nagy is a seasoned portfolio worker with over 10 years’ experience in the UK education sector. Henrietta writes educational content, designs academic courses, delivers university lectures, mentors entrepreneurs, and provides career development coaching. One of Henrietta's recent organisational clients is the Oxford University where she has facilitated over 100 hours of learning events. With 9 years of higher education studies internationally (including an MBA), she has worked with CEOs, academics, scholars, managers, women entrepreneurs, academic administrators and other consultants.

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