Despite what parents, teachers and the internet may have you believe, a six-figure job rarely awaits the moment you are handed your graduation scroll.
While some university leavers may have employment already lined up by the time they throw their mortarboard in the air on graduation day, it's fair to say that those people are in the minority.
As a result, it's not uncommon for graduates to find themselves with no job after graduation. In fact, a large number of graduates find leaving university to be a bit of culture shock.
If you’re struggling to find a job after university, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for a whole host of tips on how to get a job after university.
How to Get a Job After University
Job hunting can be difficult at the best of times, let alone when you’re fresh out of university with a bare CV that’s lacking in the work experience department.
While the process can be laborious and disheartening, finding a job is far from an impossibility.
Keep these points in mind during your post-uni quest for employment to help you through the rough terrain and get you to the promised land in one piece.
Means to an End
Anyone that’s ever been on the hunt for their ideal job will be able to tell you that it’s a lot easier to get a job when you have job.
A jobless job search can translate to desperation, which can add pressure and stress that can hinder your performance at interview.
Conversely, the safety net of having a job already while you look for something more suitable can be invaluable in terms of mentally and financially.
Don’t be afraid to take a stop-gap role to help stabilise your finances while you search for your ideal job.
Be Social-Savvy
Social media rules the world in the 21st century. From pregnancy announcements to mealtime photoshoots, very few aspects of life go by undetected and uncelebrated online. Unsurprisingly, this trend can also relate to job hunting.
Platforms like LinkedIn are the perfect shop window for your online CV, presenting yourself in a professional manner to potential employers. Meanwhile, it’s also a great way of networking and getting your name out there within your chosen industry.
According to a 2018 survey conducted by CareerBuilder, 70% of employers use social networking sites to pre-screen candidates during the hiring process. While this can be encouraging from a LinkedIn standpoint, it’s worth noting that this also extends to other platforms as well.
Ensure your social media profiles are presentable and the relevant privacy settings have been set to help maintain the integrity of your personal brand. If your FB profile shows you downing a yard of ale in Magaluf, it may be time to switch it up.
Is a Masters All That Masterful?
Those that are unsure what to do with their lives post-uni may find themselves pursuing a master’s degree out of indecision and uncertainty.
However, while it may seem easier to go with the flow and top-up your existing degree with a relevant post-grad qualification, attaining a master’s degree often does little to boost your chances of employment.
From an employer’s perspective, a standard uni graduate with a year of work under their belt is typically a more attractive proposition than an MA graduate with no real-world experience.
A typical master’s degree in the UK takes a year of full-time study to complete. That year could be put to better use gaining industry experience or learning additional skills in pursuit of employability.
Work Experience
A common stumbling block for graduates is that, while they may be a proven commodity in the world of academia, the practical application of their skills in a real-life working setting is often unproven.
This poses quite the paradoxical quandary for candidates fresh out of university: you can’t get a job without experience and you can’t get experience without a job. Or can you?
Graduates that suffer from a lack of experience can gain valuable on-the-job training through unpaid work placement and volunteering.
While this will naturally be financially unrewarding by their very definition, the gamble can pay off massively, resulting in relevant, first-hand job experience.
Meanwhile, there’s always the possibility that your work ethic and effort may be recognised during your unpaid stint, potentially leading to a paid role at the end of it.
Stay Positive
While the average time to get a job after graduation can vary wildly between industries as well as location, it’s worth remembering that if you are struggling to find a job after university, you’re not alone.
In fact, according to TotalJobs.com, nearly 40% of graduates are still hunting for jobs six months after leaving university.
Competition and financial climate can play a big hand in your fate as well, which can also change dramatically from one year to the next.
Try to stay positive and channel your energy into your job search and applications. You could even make the most of the free time by gaining additional transferable skills.
While rejections and unresponsive employers are undeniably frustrating, persistence will pay off in time. Remember, good things come to those who wait…
For more job-seeking advice and tips for recent graduates looking for employment, why not speak to one of our advisors directly? Call 0203 225 5120 now or get in touch online by clicking the link below.
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