By Eloise Howard, BA Business Management with Employment Experience
It’s that time of year when graduates are desperately trying to land their dream job – but where do you start? If you’re in this situation, read on – hopefully this information will be useful to you!
Where to find graduate jobs
There is a huge amount of various graduate jobs for you to explore. If you are interested in graduate schemes, I would recommend beginning your job hunt in September/October of your final year at University, as this is when many of the big companies release their applications. However, if you are considering a direct entry role, the recruitment process often doesn’t begin until around Easter of your final year if you want to start working straight after you graduate. My top tip for finding the right graduate scheme for you would be to search online. There are lots of great websites out there such as Target Jobs, Milkround and even LinkedIn, where you can filter your search to a particular location, an industry, or the job itself. Another method for job searching could be to think of companies you are really interested in and check their websites for updates or just send your CV if they accept them! In addition to this, the University holds graduate fairs which give you the opportunity to speak with people from different companies and learn more about the vacancies they have.
Applying for graduate jobs
There is typically a long recruitment process for graduate schemes, but this does vary depending on the company. Often, it includes an online application, online tests, a video/telephone interview and an assessment centre. A key piece advice here would be to not feel disheartened if you get rejections – graduate jobs, in particular graduate schemes, are extremely competitive and it can take a few rejections before you get the right one, so try to stay positive and persevere! One of the most important things you can do whilst applying is research the company, what they are looking for in the job specification, and what they are like as employers. A good place to start is their website, but I have found Glassdoor helpful too to get a better feeling of the company culture. I would recommend building your CV throughout your time at university by getting involved in volunteering, societies, or even part time work as these extra-curricular activities really help you to stand out from other graduates. Furthermore, if you have the opportunity to, I cannot recommend doing a placement year enough as you gain so many invaluable skills and experiences that make answering interview questions much easier!
Finally, don’t forget that the University is there to help you! The Management School has it’s own Employability Hub that is dedicated to helping students find work, which hosts helpful workshops where you can do practice interviews and assessment centres or go through your CV one to one with a careers adviser. Even if you’ve graduated, you can get support up to three years after you leave uni!