Graduate jobs advice and tips

Graduate Jobs

Getting a degree is a great start to any career and will go a long way in helping you land the job you want. After graduation, finding a job can be a daunting prospect. Applying for graduate jobs is difficult, especially when there is fierce competition from thousands of other people, all with degree qualifications. Standing out from the other applicants isn't easy but there are steps you can take and graduate schemes you can join to ensure you land your dream job.

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If your university course didn't involve a work placement or a lot of practical work, you may benefit from joining a graduate scheme. This will train you up to do the job you're interested in and give you the edge over the other applicants. Employers are always more favourable towards anyone that has already gained experience doing the role, so if you're lacking experience, joining a graduate scheme is a great way to pick up those practical skills required for your career.

When applying for your first job after graduation bear in mind that it's the extras on your CV that will help you stand out from the rest of the applicants. Employers are keen to hire people who have practical, communication and interpersonal skills as well as a good education. Demonstrate this by joining clubs or doing voluntary work that proves you have the ability to interact with a variety of people.

Many graduates are concerned about the salary and reputation of the company when applying for jobs. It's often helpful to start off by gaining experience in smaller companies where you will have more responsibility and will learn more as a result. The salary may not be as good in a smaller organization but what you'll learn could be invaluable in landing a job in the company you really want to work for. Coming out of university and working for a very low salary is disheartening but usually pays off in the end. In highly competitive job sectors like media, TV and fashion this may be the case but once you have a years' experience your salary can increase dramatically.

Unfortunately, having a degree doesn't automatically mean you'll instantly get a bigger and better job as soon as you leave university. What it does mean is that you can fast-track your way to the job you want by using your education to acquire the skills you need to progress. Typical starting salaries for graduates can be anything from £13,500 to £35,000 with the average being £18,600. It is unlikely that you'll be able to negotiate the salary when starting a career but after a year or two this will change and you'll be in a better position to ask for a pay rise.

If you're a graduate looking for your first job, a graduate training scheme or looking to progress up the job ladder, check out the web's top graduate recruiters by clicking the links on this page.