DO YOU make the grade for a graduate job?
With 800,000 undergraduates and postgraduates leaving UK higher education each year, winning a place on a coveted grad scheme can give you the edge in the jobs market.
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However, with around 40 people applying for each grad training scheme place, it can be very tough to secure a spot.
If you don’t make it onto a graduate scheme – or there isn’t a suitable one in the sector you want to work in – the next step is to look for a graduate role.
While these types of jobs are not official graduate training programmes, they are only open to candidates with relevant degrees so are still considered to be high-status work. Many also provide top-quality training.
There are approximately 50,000 graduate jobs on offer at any one time in the UK – around one in 18 of all vacancies, so if you have a degree, here’s how to graduate upwards in your career.
Show you are serious about the sector
Relevant work experience is the most important addition to your CV. If you don’t have any, get some.
Use your network which is anyone you’ve ever met and all their contacts.
Make some calls, send some emails, get on LinkedIn, and approach companies cold, even if they don’t advertise a structured work experience programme.
Make your degree relevant
Demonstrate how what you have learned can be applied to the job. If you studied a completely different degree, don’t worry.
Show what transferable skills you learned like being able to work independently, understanding and acting on complex information and timekeeping.
Practice makes perfect
Some firms use testing to pre-screen the huge pool of applicants. If you’re invited to take part in a psychometric or numeric test, you can practise them online in advance.
Prepare like it’s your finals
If you reach an interview stage, prepare with thorough research.
Make sure you know the names of the CEO and the leadership team, read the company website and follow all its social media channels.
Read press coverage, industry trade publications and newsletters to get a broader view, and identify and learn more about their main competitors.
Always take questions into an interview with you
Many recruiters know of grads who’ve lost out on jobs because they didn’t ask any questions, and the interviewer read that as lack of interest.
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Go to the top of the class with these great grad jobs, from Sun Jobs this week.
Sports Graduate, Tradewind Recruitment, Liverpool
Inspire kids with a love of sport in this top teaching assistant role.
The Job: Tradewind Recruitment is looking for Sports Graduates to work as teaching assistants in a Bootle-based primary school.
What You’ll Do: As a teaching assistant, you will work alongside experienced teachers to support the learning experiences of primary school pupils, putting your sports skills to use in order to inspire children to be active and healthy.
You’ll Need: The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic and reliable, with a keen interest in working with children. A sports-related degree or qualification is essential, along with excellent communication skills, and a willingness to learn and develop your teaching abilities.
Apply Now: See further details of this role, along with other opportunities from Tradewind Recruitment.
Graduate Recruiter, Foster Lawson, Billericay
Help others get hired as a grad recruiter.
The Job: Foster Lawson is hiring three Graduate Recruiters to join its hard working team.
What You’ll Do: This role will involve negotiating terms of business and contracts for successful clients, engaging regularly with senior executives via phone and on video calls. You will source and interview exceptional candidates on behalf of clients, present relevant search solutions to meet client requirements, and manage the interview process.
You’ll Need: In order to be considered for this role, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree and authorisation to work in the UK. You will be someone who thrives in a competitive environment, with excellent communication skills and a strong understanding of the UK jobs market.
Apply Now: Find out more, or discover more opportunities with Foster Lawson.
Graduate Assistant, Engage Education, Enfield
You benefitted from a great education – now help others do the same.
The Job: Engage Education is hiring Graduate Teaching Assistants to work in schools in and around Enfield.
What You’ll Do: As Teaching Assistant, you will be providing additional support to pupils in the classroom: assisting in the delivery of effective teaching on a one-on-one basis or in small groups; helping with the planning and delivery of lessons; supporting pupils in their educational and behavioural development; preparing classroom resources; and helping with extracurricular activities.
You’ll Need: The ideal candidate will have a degree in any subject, with proficient numeracy and literacy skills. A passion for helping children reach their academic potential, along with the ability to form excellent relationships and rapport with pupils, is essential.
Apply Now: Apply for this position, along with other opportunities with Engage Education.
Discover thousands of open vacancies for jobs all across the UK now on The Sun Job Board.
