It can be hard to know where to start when finding entry-level jobs, there are many things to consider, from deciding what graduate career path is right for you, to finding the best places to apply, completing applications and nailing interviews.
Often these aspects are completely new territory and it can feel overwhelming, resulting in you delaying your graduate job hunt for that little bit longer.
If you’re a recent graduate or an undergraduate starting to think about applying to entry-level graduate jobs, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to easily and quickly find graduate jobs, perfect if you’re looking for graduate jobs in London immediate start and across the UK!
1. Decide on the type of graduate job you want to apply for
There are many different types of graduate jobs available from graduate schemes, placement years to full-time employment.
It’s important to do your research and find out about the different types of career jobs in London and across the UK that are available and are the best option for you.
Here’s a bit about the different types of graduate opportunities out there:
Graduate Schemes
Graduate schemes are training programmes undertaken by recent graduates. These schemes can be found in a variety of industries, from marketing & PR training programmes to economics graduate schemes.
They are often well-structured and allow graduates to gain training in a variety of different departments within the company.
Graduate schemes are especially beneficial for graduates who are unsure what specific career path to follow but have an idea of the industry they want to work in.
Some of the best graduate schemes are often very well paid and often lead to full time employment within the company after the scheme has finished, making them very advantageous but also highly competitive.
It’s important to note that most graduate schemes are offered to graduates soon after they have graduated with applications usually open early in the year that you’re graduating.
If you want to participate in some of the best graduate schemes in London and across the UK, research when applications are open and make a note of these deadlines.
If you’re considering graduate jobs whilst still at university, undertaking a placement year is a great option.
Placement years are a year out of university, often in your third year, spent working in an industry relevant to your degree.
Undertaking a placement year is an excellent way to find career opportunities in London and across the UK; by partaking in one, students gain a variety of workplace skills and experiences that are beneficial to helping them find a graduate job after completing their degree.
Placement years are also a great way to network and make connections in the industry and many graduates are often offered full-time graduate jobs with the company they have undertaken the placement year with.
Jobs for graduates can be highly competitive, which is why many graduates choose to complete graduate internships in London and across the UK to gain more commercial experience and give their applications the edge.
If you’ve begun your graduate job applications by applying to permanent graduate jobs but realised you’re lacking in experience, undertaking an internship or several, will allow you to gain valuable skills and experience which can aid your applications to entry level graduate jobs in London and the UK.
Companies are always looking for talented graduates to make an impact on their company and offer fresh ideas, so summer internships in London and the UK are not sparse.
Full-time graduate jobs are the most popular choice for graduates who have an idea of what graduate career they’d like to begin.
These are often experienced, good jobs where employers are looking for a graduate who has had previous industry-related experience, however, there are also full-time graduate jobs requiring no experience.
At Give a Grad a Go we’re proud to offer an exciting range of full-time graduate jobs in London and the UK in a number of thriving sectors. Check out the latest graduate jobs available today.
2. Decide what graduate career is right for you
Once you’ve decided what type of graduate job type is right for you, it’s important to spend some time thinking about what industry you want to work in and the role you want to pursue.
When deciding, it’s important to think about and research some of the following points:
The benefits of working in each industry
The average starting salary of the role
Are your skills suited to the role?
Would you enjoy working in the industry?
What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
We know deciding on a graduate career path to follow can be tough, that’s why our industry expert recruiters have compiled a complete guide to the job sectors, take our career test for graduates to find out what industry you should work in!
If you missed our career webinar, check out our video below to hear more about how to land a graduate job from leading industry experts:
Tip: change the playback speed in the settings at the bottom right corner, to suit your learning requirements. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great videos!
3. Think about what kind of company you want to work for
When applying to graduate jobs, it can sometimes be tempting to accept the first offer that comes your way, however it’s really important to find a company that matches your career goals and ideal working environment.
There are so many companies that are hiring entry-level graduates, however, each will have a completely different culture and it’s important to think about the kind of company ethos you are looking for and what kind of opportunities you want from a company.
Here are some good points to consider when applying and attending interviews:
Is the company culture a good fit for me?
Does the company offer any training opportunities?
What are the benefits and perks for employees with this company?
Is there a healthy work-life balance?
What is the job progression like?
Can I see myself enjoying the role and working alongside these people well?
4. Sign up with a specialist graduate recruitment agency
Looking for a graduate job can be an overwhelming task to take on by yourself, so registering with a recruitment agency for graduates is a great way to get support with your applications and help find the perfect graduate job for you.
Give A Grad A Go are proud to be the UK’s leading graduate recruitment agency.
Our industry expert recruiters are on hand to support you every step of the way with your applications, from helping you decide what career is right for you, to offering advice on your CV, to sending the latest jobs that are a great fit, and providing interview tips and support.
We take the stress away from applying to graduate jobs and work to help you enjoy the process of finding your dream graduate job!
We offer a range of exciting graduate jobs for postgraduates, master’s graduate jobs, and entry level graduate jobs in London and across the UK.
5. Decide where you want to work and consider living options
Another important factor to consider when finding your graduate job, is deciding on the location you want to work at.
Begin by researching where most of the graduate employment opportunities are located for the graduate jobs you are interested in and decide if the commute time or cost of living is feasible for you.
Look at some of the starting salaries for the roles you are interested in and weigh up if you can afford to pay the price of rent in the area.
Or if you want to commute, research the transport links and find out how long it will take you to commute to the area and if you are happy to do this.
Where you choose to work can have a massive impact on your work-life balance, so do your research and make sure it’s the right location where you can get the most out of the graduate job, and still maintain a healthy social life.
If you’re considering applying to graduate jobs in central London, be sure to check out our guide to working in London.
6. Boost your employability and update your CV
Before you begin applying to graduate jobs, it’s important to spend some time making sure your graduate CV, cover letter and LinkedIn profile are up-to-date and as impressive as possible, so that your applications stand out and you make the best impression on an employer.
For almost every graduate job, employers will want to see your graduate CV so it’s important to make sure your CV projects the best version of yourself and shows that you are suited to a role. You want your graduate CV to highlight the relevant skills to the jobs you are applying for, to follow the correct format and have a professional design.
Check out our graduate CV guide for CV tips, cover letter examples and free CV templates to download for a range of graduate jobs!
Creating a strong LinkedIn profile is another great way to boost your employability and find graduate jobs, with over 90% of employers using LinkedIn for hiring.
Your LinkedIn profile should work to enhance your graduate CV and give employers more of an insight into your personality and interests. Check out our blog for 10 tips for creating a good LinkedIn profile.
7. Grow your connections by professional networking
Professionally networking is a great way to build connections, boost your confidence, and gain references, all helping with your graduate job search.
With the potential for 30,000 connections, LinkedIn is one of the best platforms to start networking.
Effective networking consists of two parts, connecting with people you’ve interacted with before, such as colleagues, friends, family and teachers who will be able to recommend you to a potential employer.
Along with connecting with individuals, you don’t already know who can offer advice, guidance, and insight into the graduate jobs markets.
Networking doesn’t just have to be on LinkedIn, it can also be through networking events, look out for employability workshops offered by your university or any professional events in your area.
Finding a graduate job can be hard and a stressful task, but by following our step-by-step guide, you can easily and effectively find your ideal graduate job.
Give A Grad A Go are always on hand to help with your graduate job search, get in touch today, take a look at our jobs board and begin applying to some of the highest paying graduate jobs.
Secured an interview for a graduate job? Be sure to check out our interview questions hub for example questions and answers to some of the most common interview questions for a variety of graduate roles!
