Career advice for graduates

The time between graduating from university and gaining your first job can be highly nerve-wracking for graduates desperate to find full-time employment after completing their studies. Although rejections can be frustrating, you should remember that sometimes a little bit of patience is all that is required.  

However, if several months have passed and you have had very little success in applying for jobs it could be that there are reasons why you are struggling to gain a new role. It is important not to be downhearted as these small mistakes are easy to rectify and can make all the difference for those looking for an exciting new role.  

In this article we investigate some of the most common reasons why you might be struggling to find work as a recent graduate. We will also explore what you need to do to get your first job, and how we at e-Careers can help.  

Learn how to write a great cover letter. 

Why it can be hard securing your job

You don’t know what sort of jobs to apply for - A common issue for graduates is being unfamiliar with the sort of roles that are out there are and, therefore, being unsure about which jobs you should apply for. It might be the case that you are focusing too much on roles that require prior experience. When applying for jobs you should ensure that the roles you are applying for are suitable for recent grads.  

You lack practical work experience - Frustratingly, sometimes even roles that look to be entry-level require several years of experience! This can be disheartening to graduates who are keen to gain experience but who feel they don’t stand a chance next to candidates with prior experience. Boost your chances of being invited to interview by gaining some experience in the form of an internship programme.  

Your degree isn’t directly related to the area you want to work in - This is a common issue faced by those who study for a humanities degree or an arts degree. While completing an arts degree provides graduates with many transferable skills, it can sometimes be difficult for employers to relate these skills to their workplace. You can get around this issue by highlighting your achievements on your CV and gaining real-world experience.  

You lack industry contacts - As a graduate it’s unlikely that you will have a wide range of industry contacts ready to connect you with potential employers as soon as you graduate. While this is not always an issue, it can be useful to build up industry contacts who could help set up meetings with companies. You can begin building your professional network on sites such as LinkedIn.  

Your CV isn’t up to scratch - Many recent graduates are unaware of the best format for their CV or are not sure about what content to include. When writing a CV, brevity is key. It is also useful to key achievements where possible to make your CV stand out from the crowd. Read our top tips on how to write a great CV.  

You aren’t confident with interviews - It’s only natural to be nervous about interviews, particularly when you are applying for your first job after university. However, you should try to exude as much confidence as possible. Maintaining eye contact and having good posture are two easy ways to create a strong impression on potential employers.  

There is a lot of competition - Finally, you may have to accept that there is frequently a lot of competition for graduate jobs. You may not be doing anything wrong and might be just missing out to candidates whose experience is slightly more relevant. Try not to lose heart and make sure that you continue to tailor each application to the job in question. 

What you need to get your first job  

We have already touched upon the things you can do to get around any potential pitfalls of applying to a graduate job. In summary, these are the things you can do to boost your chances of securing a new role:  

Read job descriptions thoroughly - You may find that even entry-level roles require experience!  

Gain experience - Internships and other work experience placements are a great way to stand out from other graduates. 

Tailor your applications - The ‘scattergun approach’ is rarely the best strategy because employers ideally want to receive personalised applications that showcase your skills.  

Build your network - Find professionals in your desired sector on sites like LinkedIn and start building your industry contacts.  

Polish your CV - Spending time on creating your best possible CV will be well worthwhile! Read our latest article on how to write a great CV. 

Be confident in your interview - Confidence is key so practice mock interviews beforehand to get used to answering questions under pressure. Read our top interview tips. 

Gain practical skills - If you have a general degree you may wish to enhance your skill set with a practical qualification in your choice.  

How we can help          

e-Careers offers a wide range of professional training courses that would suit those looking to boost their skill set and support what you learned at university. These courses vary from digital marketing and IT to finance, so there is plenty to choose from!  

We also offer career advice to help you stand out from other applicants and impress at the interview.  

Contact us today on +44 (0) 203 198 7700 to discuss any additional training you would like to consider to supplement your degree and help you find employment.