Navigating the Job Market As a Recent Graduate
Securing a job has never been easy, especially for graduates.
Graduating during the pandemic definitely didn’t help, as some universities provided students work placements – many of which had to be cancelled. For some, these placements could lead to jobs after graduation as well as a wider knowledge of how your undergraduate study can be applied to real world companies. Research by Milkround – a UK based graduate jobs website – shows that just 18% of graduates were securing jobs in 2020 compared to the typical 60%.
After digging through pages and pages of job adverts only to be met with rejections, finding the right job might start to seem unattainable. Here’s some tips and tricks to help you secure a job role from a graduate herself!
Start with the university itself
Does it have a specific team dedicated to helping graduates find a job role? Some universities have career services that can be accessed whether you’re a student or recent graduate and they can help you find a job even if you’ve moved out of the city the university is based in. Career services can help with anything from going over your CV and job applications to mock interviews. They can sometimes have an online university job shop where they post roles that they feel appeal to graduates in all fields.
Keep in contact with those who graduated with you
They could be on the same page as you and searching for a job role or they might have immediately started their career and their company might be hiring. You can either sieve through jobs together or ask them to drop you a line when their company is hiring. Sometimes companies ask internally if they know anyone suited for an upcoming role before advising it to the public. Saves them the time and money of advertising a role if the perfect candidate is friends with their current employers.
Networking
When looking into the job market after graduation, it’s a big advantage to know people in the field you want to enter. Networking at events within your university, such as external visits or seeking out volunteer opportunities while studying and making connections that way is deeply valuable. You can also drop your lecturers an email asking if they can put you in contact with potential employers. They could direct you to the right websites and services to look out for, as well as possibly serving as a job reference for any of your applications if you don’t have a recent previous employer.
'You can also drop your lecturers an email asking if they can put you in contact with potential employers.'
Research which sectors within your field are currently hiring
You might want to work as a research psychologist for example, however the roles hiring at the moment might be more assistant roles. Are you looking for that one role, or are you able to compromise on a different role within the same field? Are you willing to accept a role somewhere at your local supermarket while looking for something in your desired field? Also remember to research the company you are applying for, if you can display an already established knowledge of the company before the interview, this will show you are keen to be a part of their team.
Narrow down what you are specifically looking for in your career.
If your degree covers a large field of careers to choose from, it might be difficult to decide what you want to specialise in. https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/ offers a career path test to help figure out which industries and roles best suit the individual and their degree. They also offer career path guides for industries from accounting to teaching to journalism. These focused guides have articles on specific areas within the field that you mind need to refresh your knowledge on.
Refresh your CV regularly
Some work experience or education might not be relevant to the role you’re applying for and could need removing. Always have a master copy of your CV with all your experience and education saved onto it with edit copies for different roles handy to pick and choose which information to display. Your personal statement at the beginning also will need revamping every now and again. If you’ve been unsuccessful in applications in the past, maybe an updated copy of your CV could make all the difference. Ask others to read through it as they might pick up on things you have missed. If your university offers this service post-graduation that would be excellent!
Volunteer
Volunteering experience can stand out on your CV, showing that you are willing to dedicate your time without putting a price on it. Some internships at media companies can provide voluntary roles in exchange for publishing your work on their platforms or having your name in the credits of their short films. If you wish to pursue a career in film or media, your portfolio will stand out if it includes works published and not only your previous assignments at university.
Kickstart Schemes
If you are receiving universal credit after graduating to help cover living costs, Kickstart Schemes are available for people between the ages of 16 and 24. These are a great way to secure a position, even if only temporarily, since it narrows the amount of applications. You have to be receiving universal credit as well as fit within the age bracket. For employers, they receive funding through the government which ends on the 17th December for them but for applicants, these schemes can start for employees up until March 2022 and last up to 6 months.
'Volunteering experience can stand out on your CV, showing that you are willing to dedicate your time without putting a price on it.'
Over qualified yet under qualified
Some jobs might not accept you because you have a degree, stating that you are overqualified for a position, whereas others might say that your degree isn’t enough for a position. University is difficult to juggle with working and many graduates leave with little to no job experience. If you are applying for a job that does not require a university degree such as a retail assistant, is it worth leaving it off your CV unless they ask to see your education history? If feedback from a job rejection says you are under qualified, there is no harm in asking the employer how they feel you are under qualified so you know which gaps you need to fill before applying for more jobs.
Graduate schemes
These allow recent graduates to secure a position whether long term or part time in the preferred field. Graduate schemes are entry level training opportunities tailored to your field of study. Many employers feel that graduates lack first hand experiences of the workplace and these graduate schemes are a way to put your foot in the door.
Are you willing to relocate or only search in a select area?
There might be plenty of jobs within the UK, just not in your area. Is relocating an option or are you only looking in specific areas? Relocating might not be an option, meaning the job pool shrinks for some. While moving might not be a viable option, flexibility in other aspects can help secure a job role. Whether it be the hours or the days you are available to work, a potential employer will view a flexible timetable as a plus – not everyone is thrilled to be working nights, however if that is what they are looking for, are you up for the task?
Don't turn down temporary or part time work
While a full time permanent position might be your long term goal, part time and temporary work provides useful experience. Whether it is in your career field or not, it can help you gain a knowledge of the world of work as well as provide you with references once your time at their company ends. You could always take on a part time role while engaging in voluntary opportunities in your field in your free time to help fill in the gaps on your CV.
You got this!
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