HELP: I’m a New Graduate
20th Jun, 2018
Your whole life has been effortlessly mapped out until this point: nursery, primary school, secondary school, university or college – but what now?!
You’re suddenly thrown into the big wide world, stood at a crossroads with all these routes to choose from when, in reality, you haven't actually don't know what you want - let alone how to make it happen!
On top of that, you can also choose between going straight into work or taking a break and possibly going travelling. You most likely have people telling you what they think you should or shouldn’t do, but ultimately, it all comes down to you (sorry, no one can tell you the right answer!).
Should I Start Work Immediately After University?
Perhaps you loved your course, know precisely what you want to do and just want to dive in; if so, go for it!
However, there are others who have decided they want a change of direction or those who enjoyed their course but need some time for their brain to recover! This is when a break would be good.
Breaks can come in many different forms. Some people choose to travel the world and others might work on projects to help boost their career.
Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty or pressured for not jumping straight into your career, particularly those who seem to have it mapped out. Everyone is different and have different needs, and as corny as it sounds, you just have to trust in your journey. Watch this video from Jay Shetty on taking life at your own pace – you won’t regret it!
What Job Level am I Qualified for as a Graduate?
Are you too qualified? Are you not experienced enough? These are common thoughts that run through graduate minds when applying for jobs.
The answer is different for everyone. If you studied for a healthcare degree and have been working in various hospitals and medical practices over the last few years, you could jump straight into a Band 5 listed job (you might even be offered a permanent role with your placement!).
Teachers, of course, can look out for NQT positions. There are also plenty of teaching jobs that aren’t targeted at NQTs but will still welcome newly qualified teachers.
It’s natural to want to go straight into your dream job, but it’s not always possible; you often have to jump through a bunch of hoops first, starting at the bottom. But don’t worry, your first job doesn’t define you.
For the most part, you want to get your hands on whatever relevant job you can. Begin by applying for your favoured positions; hopefully, you will have some luck but if not, start applying for other roles that are connected to your eventual career goals – even if it’s only a loose connection.
Where to Find Graduate Roles
Online Search
The majority of professions will advertise roles as ‘Graduate [insert job here]’, which often makes job hunting a little easier. Googling ‘graduate’ or ‘entry level’ followed by whatever profession you’re interested in could provide you with more options to explore.
Job Boards
Job boards, such as Indeed, tend to have filters so you can narrow down your search to entry-level jobs or internships.
If you’d like to see some graduate-focused job boards, you could try:
- Your World Pro! Just speak to our team
- Milkround
- The Guardian’s Graduate Section
- Prospects
- graduate-jobs.com
Contact Your University Lecturers
Your lecturers should also have advice for you – why not get back in touch with them? It’s possible they’ve been contacted by businesses looking for help filling vacancies.
Graduate Fairs
Attending a job fair is a great way to connect with multiple employers all at once. Our advice would be to take hard copies of your CV and a portable charger for all the social networking and emailing you’ll be doing!
Remember to note down the names of the recruiters you speak to and companies they’re with - this makes it easier to follow-up. The recruiters will meet a lot of people that day, so follow-up emails show you’re committed.
Take Advantage of the Professionals Around You
Speak to the people around you to see if they have anything available in their workplace. Even if they can’t take you on permanently, you might be able to gain some valuable experience (and then knock their socks off so the company can’t resist hiring you after!).
What Wage Can I Expect?
Salaries can differ based on a variety of factors, like the industry you’re going into, the size of the company and the location. Graduate-jobs.com estimates that the average starting salary is £19,000 - £22,000 for graduates. (Sorry, we don’t know where those rumours of starting at £30,000 came from - pat on the back to the tiny percentage of people who do manage to get this starting salary though!)
If you think your pay is too low, take a look at what other companies are offering. If there is a difference, it’s worth bringing it to your employer for their consideration, but keep in mind how competitive the graduate job market is. Ultimately, you may decide the experience is still worth it – it’s entirely up to you.
Just remember, if you’re not happy in your job and you don’t think the money is worth it, you can always find a new one!
Find a Job You Love Through Temping (and Your World Pro!)
Choosing to work through an agency as a temporary worker is an excellent option while you’re finding your feet. It enables you to earn money while deciding on your ideal path and gives you the chance to gain experience in different areas.
As a temporary worker, you enter multiple workplaces, sometimes every couple of months, which shows that you can adapt to your surroundings and are comfortable working with new/different people – something that will look great to future employers!
Your World has lots of fantastic jobs available in a range of industries on both a permanent and temporary basis – many suitable for graduates. Give the team a call on 02072200815 to find out how they can help you to kick-start your career!