How to find graduate jobs: Useful tips every student needs

19 June 2024By Rob Slade, Staff writer at Unite Students
Student looking happy with exam results

In your final year of uni and starting to think about how to find graduate jobs? The first hurdle you need to get over is where to look for them.

The truth is, there are so many different resources out there, but you might only know about a few of them. You’re probably already aware of job websites such as Indeed, Monster and Reed, but there are lots of other tools and resources too.

Finding a graduate job isnt easy. But you can give yourself the best shot possible. To help you do that, here are some of the best tools you can use to make your job hunt easier.

When to apply for graduate jobs

Want to get ahead of the pack? Apply for graduate jobs as early as possible. There are two options to consider, graduate schemes with annual intakes and one-off job vacancies.

Most graduate schemes start in September after graduation. Companies start the application process from the previous September, with interviews usually taking place in February or March. Some accept applications all year round. For one-off jobs, you can apply as and when they appear.

Where to look for graduate jobs

Do your research on Prospects.ac.uk

The Prospects website is a great place to do your research when applying for graduate jobs. It has advice, information, and job opportunities. There's a huge database of job profiles, which covers everything from responsibilities and salary to qualifications and career prospects.

The profiles are really detailed too, so you’ll be coming away with a great understanding of what a graduate role entails and how you can prepare for it. Even if you’re unsure what you want to do, you can browse through job profiles based on sector, giving you the chance to find roles that you never knew existed.

You’ll also find information and opportunities for postgraduate study, job listings, and lots of helpful advice for things like cover letters, CVs and interviews. It really is a useful resource, and one we’d encourage you to make the most of as early as possible when you do start browsing for graduate jobs.

Use your university’s careers hub

Your university’s careers hub is another useful resource when applying for graduate jobs. Jobs listed here are for students seeking their first steps into an industry after their studies. This means you’re already off to a good start, as you’ll match up with recruiters that are looking for people like you.

As opportunities appear on your university website, it’s a great chance to seek out help or advice from the careers team. They are always on-hand to help with CVs, employability, interview tips, and where to look for graduate jobs.

You can usually book an appointment for a one-to-one appointment, as well as make use of drop-in sessions. Best of all, this is a free service to use – so make the most of it. Careers services don’t end immediately after you graduate. You’re entitled to use them for some time after the end of your course, depending on which uni you studied at.

Use LinkedIn to its full potential

LinkedIn is the social media platform for the working world. It allows you to share your experience, skills and qualifications in a public domain. You can then reach out and connect with any contacts you’ve made, either at uni, on a placement or internship, or through other jobs.

It’s worth building a profile as early as possible when you’re at uni, as it’ll then give you the chance to connect with any lecturers or professionals that you meet on work experience or internships. Connections can help shape your career. The sooner you start, the better.

Head to LinkedIn’s job section and you can search for roles based on keywords and location. Better yet, follow your favourite companies and set up job alerts for them so you’re notified when any roles become available.

Sometimes recruiters may even come across your LinkedIn profile and reach out to you first. It’s a great way to get noticed when applying for graduate jobs.

Check out company websites

If you know the industry and career you’d like to go into, chances are you know the big companies that lead the way in your chosen sector. Making a list of them all is a great idea, as it means you can go through it one by one, checking the job pages of each company.

While a lot of companies will post opportunities to job websites or advertise with an agency, they typically also list them on their own website. Some might even avoid recruiters altogether. This enables you to apply direct to the recruiting manager, without having to jump through hoops with an agency vetting your application.

Some companies’ job websites will even allow you to set up notifications when new jobs become available, meaning you’ll never miss an opportunity and can be one of the first to apply. It’s also worth noting any graduate schemes, so you can put in an application once the programme is open.

Look into industry-specific publications

One of the best places you can find opportunities is trade magazines or websites. Examples include Marketing Week, which focuses on the marketing industry, and The Engineer, which focuses on engineering.

These publications keep their fingers on the pulse of their chosen industry and are a great resource for keeping up with the latest trends. The good news is that most of them have a jobs section on their websites, giving you access to roles matching your interests.

Get help from agencies and recruiters

A recruitment agency acts as an intermediary between you and prospective employers. When you apply for graduate jobs, it can be helpful to have someone on your side. An agency can be just that. Essentially, you register, share your CV, and they match you to jobs that suit you.

Doing this alongside your normal job hunting can only be a good thing, as it gives you access to a wide range of opportunities and allows you to tap into the agency’s connections. Agencies usually build relationships with employers based on when they’ve worked together in the past. Even if there aren’t any current openings, a conversation between the agency and employer can often be your way in.

Visit Glassdoor to get an idea of prospective employers

Glassdoor is a website that shows reviews of workplaces by current and former employees. When researching a place to work, you can see honest feedback from people who really work there – both the good and the bad.

As well as reviews, you can see industry standard salary ranges for the graduate job you wish to apply for. This gives you a good insight to set your expectations ahead of applying for them. There’s lots of other bits of information that can help you to build a bigger picture of the company. Things like work-life balance, CEO pay-ratios, and the culture.

Talk with friends and family

Talking with friends and family members is often overlooked when you’re applying for graduate jobs. You never know where a simple conversation could lead you. Asking around personal contacts, even if they’re employed in a different role and sector to what you’re looking for, may turn out to be beneficial.

They might know of an opening in their company, or someone who is looking to hire graduates. They may even ask around for you and put the word out there. You never know what could come from discussing your job search with people you already know.

Good luck!

Now that you’ve read our guide on how to find graduate jobs, you can get going. We recommend you keep this article, so that you can refer back to it. We’ve covered the what, where’s and the how’s to equip you with everything you need to get started.

Good luck in your graduate job search!

Blog author Rob Slade
By Rob SladeStaff writer at Unite Students