Navigating the graduate job market is not easy. The competition is fierce, interviews are intense and the expectations from graduate recruiters are high. The transition from academia to employment is made all the more challenging by the fact that not all grads know what they want to do upon leaving university, making it difficult to put together a tailored CV. Plus how do you get experience without any experience? Fortunately, there’s a plethora of support available to graduates to help you to land your dream graduate job. This blog post explores the wealth of resources and support systems in place to assist graduates during their job hunt.
1: Graduate Coach
Graduate Coach is the UK’s leading graduate career coaching company. We have helped over 5000 students and graduates land graduate-level jobs and boost their career development with our expert career advice. Our alumni earn on average £55,000 two years after receiving our help. We offer a number of services tailored to help students and graduates to land their dream grad job, including, interview coaching, one-to-one career coaching, online courses, books and more.
In the words of Bill Gates, everyone needs a coach. This holds true for graduates looking for their first job out of university. Career coaching can help you to understand yourself and your skills, which graduate job titles would be a good fit, how to tailor your applications and how to excel in graduate interviews.
If you need support getting a graduate job, get in touch with us via our contact form.
2: Interview Attire Support
We’ve all heard the phrase dress for success. First impressions matter, and how you dress for an interview regardless of whether it is in-person or online can significantly impact your chances of success.
Recognising this, several charities and organisations in the UK offer support to those who might not have the means to purchase appropriate interview attire. For example, Dress for Success and Suited & Booted provide free professional clothing for job seekers to wear to their interviews.
These services not only help you look the part but also help to boost your confidence during interviews.
3: Mental Health Support
Searching for a graduate job can be a stressful experience. Additionally, due to the competitiveness of the graduate job market, receiving several rejections is common. Rejection after rejection can have a negative impact on confidence and self-esteem. This can be worsened if seemingly all of your university peers are receiving offers.
The good news is, there’s ample mental health support available.
Many universities extend their counselling services to recent graduates, offering a safe space to discuss any anxieties or stress related to job searching.
Additionally, charities like Mind provide resources and support for mental health. They offer advice on managing stress and can guide you to professional help if needed.
4: Recruiters who Specialise in Graduates
There are several recruitment agencies in the UK that specialise in helping graduates find their first professional role after university. These agencies understand the unique challenges graduates face and work closely with companies looking to hire fresh talent.
Engaging with such recruiters can provide you with access to a wider range of job opportunities, including some not advertised publicly.
Here at Graduate Coach, we have compiled a list of graduate recruitment agencies.
5: Online Resources and Job Boards
The internet is filled with resources tailored to job-seeking graduates. Websites such as Prospects and Graduate-Jobs are dedicated to graduate careers, offering job listings, advice on job searching, and insights into different industries.
Leveraging these platforms can help you understand the job market better and identify potential opportunities to apply for.
6: Company Events and Career Fairs
Career fairs and events allow you to meet people, showcase your skills and learn about job opportunities.
Attending company events, career fairs, and industry meetups is an excellent way to network in person and learn about job openings.
Many businesses and organisations host events specifically targeting graduates
Actively search online for career-related events such as career fairs, open days, industry events and networking opportunities.
7: Charitable Organisations and Support Groups
There are numerous charities and support groups dedicated to assisting job seekers.
For instance, The Prince’s Trust offers programs and workshops to help young people develop skills and confidence to enter the job market.
Conclusion
The journey from graduation to securing your first graduate role can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that you’re absolutely not alone. There are a wealth of resources designed to support you through this transition.
Identify what is holding you back, then take advantage of the help and support that is available, to help you to accelerate your graduate job search. Remember, here at Graduate Coach, we help students, graduates and international students to land their dream job by offering 1-to-1 career coaching and interview preparation.
;)