Breaking into the job market is not easy, especially as a recent graduate, competing against the rest of the country (and world) for that one position that you feel like you were destined to do. It is a time where morale can become quite low, however you know that your only choice is to encourage yourself to persevere. It is also a time almost all of us have experienced, so it is important to know that you are definitely not alone, and you will get your break. 

In my personal experience finishing University with an undergraduate & postgraduate degree, I thought I would be at an advantage- however I was quickly faced with the reality that sometimes, your degree is not always where the hustle ends. I spent countless hours practicing psychometric tests, tailoring my CV to suit dozens of applications, prepping myself with my housemates for interviews – and yet, it was still so difficult to make the cut. I simply did not understand what I was doing wrong. 

Finally, after a couple of months of pulling my hair out and worrying that I was forever going to be unemployed, I eventually got my break. I think it is important to remember that hard work does always pay off even through all the rejection you may face, because one day, someone will see your potential and that is the gateway to a blindingly bright future ahead.

To gather some insight into what interviewers are most eager to see in candidates now, I sought advice from senior professionals across a range of roles, including Restructuring Advisory Partners and licensed Insolvency Practitioners) and Senior HR Managers to understand what it is they look for in a prime candidate. Granted, most of us are hardworking, driven and capable of success, but below are a few boosters you can incorporate to your personal-brand that should help you in your next interview;

Research matters:

This first point speaks for itself but do your research on the company that you apply for. This could even be as little as a day or two learning the company values, reading through case studies, and even looking at their ‘latest news’ page with recent projects/ developments that have taken place. A top tip that helped me with this process was looking through the company’s financials, future projections and also the objectives they plan to achieve in their next financial year.

Share your X factor:

An inquisitive and curious mindset is what employers look for. You are obviously a hardworking, driven individual – but what is it about YOU that makes you interesting? Bear in mind that your interests outside of work and extra-curriculars do matter, and you should bring these out with confidence.

Your skills are transferable:

Following on from the above, if you have previously been in a job that may have been in a completely different industry to your current job, try and find a way to speak about it in your interview. For example, if you worked at a supermarket, you may have worked in a team or as a manager, or in customer support. It is important, to show how the skills you’ve previously learnt, have helped develop you and how they could help serve and add value to your employer.

Honesty is key:

Do not lie on your CV – interviewers can tell immediately if there is a gap in information or a lack of confidence with what is being said, honesty is always the key.

Utilise your studies:

You have spent a few consecutive years by the books, revising and researching. Try and justify  how you can use your research and the knowledge you gained practically in the role that you apply for and show the interviewer how you can add value.

Take a considered approach:

When applying, be careful to not apply for multiple roles within the same company. In all honesty, the people reviewing job applications will filter out CVs sent for all departments, so it is likely that they may see the same CV pop up for multiple positions which may deter the progress of your application. 

Always ask a question:

For the ‘do you have any questions for us’- bear in mind, this is your turn to challenge the interviewer, and also discover more about the organisation. Doing some LinkedIn research on the team prior to your interview, if you are informed of who they are, will be useful. Don’t be afraid to ask them what it is that makes them love their job, why they love their team and what the most exciting part of the job is for them. 

The power of LinkedIn:

LinkedIn is a powerful tool. Whilst in University, it may be helpful to become active on LinkedIn at an early stage to start connecting firstly with your personal network as well as with individuals that may present a job opportunity you may be eager to explore  in the future. Remember to touch all bases when searching for jobs – sometimes your closest circle and personal network can be your way in.

Discover more from recent grads

To dig deeper, I spoke to recent graduates from the University of Manchester – now working across a diverse range of occupations – who shed some light on what helped them to make the cut and find their place in the workforce. Check out the interviews below to discover more: 

Matthias Laroche – Founder, Cetup.io

UoM Degree: BSc (Hons) - Psychology

I offer recruitment and consultation services for online business owners. With the online service industry growing larger by the year, I take advantage of the large surplus of trained sales reps, remote closers and appointment setters and match them with viable businesses. Here are a few tips on what I found useful to help me get to where I am today:

 1) Taking part in mentorship programs and looking at where the money was flowing in the online space helped me identify this opportunity which led me to open my agency

 2) One piece of advice would be to think outside the box. Everyone is applying to job ads on LinkedIn, hoping to stand out from the crowd (which they don't). But no one goes the extra mile and finds personal emails, sends a personalised video sales letter to the CEO of the company or pulls together something witty. 

True story, I know someone who literally mailed a brick to a business he wanted to work with, alongside a letter saying "lets build together". Not only did he land that job, but he's also got his own email marketing agency making well over 7 figures these days!

Christine O’Neile – Sales Graduate, Red Hat

UoM Degree: BA (Hons) Business & Management with Modern Languages

A piece of advice would be that you really don’t need to beat yourself up about not landing the job you want straight out of Uni. Experience is experience at the end of the day, and everything you do will help you get one step closer to your “dream” job.

Secondly, if you do make it to the assessment centre (if you’re applying to grad schemes), make sure that your presentation has the same ‘look and feel’ of the company you’re applying to. For example, in my very first assessment center, I just chose random colours that I like and they pointed that out – it might seem obvious to some people but I just don’t want you to make the same mistake as me!

At the assessment centre, if possible, always make the presentation relevant to the company you’re applying to. It’s more interesting for them and demonstrates business acumen.

Finally, make sure to learn healthy de-stressing methods that work for you because whilst you might not have many responsibilities in the early stages of your career, the coping habits you practice now will help you when you’re under a lot of pressure, such as meditation and exercise.

Ellie Newell: Account Manager, Allvue Systems

UoM Degree: BA(Hons) Modern Language and Business and Management (French) 

I remember the daunting feeling of beginning my job search just as the COVID-19 pandemic was starting to unfold. It was a time of uncertainty, and I was worried that no one would be eager to hire fresh graduates like myself. 

I adopted a somewhat shotgun approach – I applied to every job opening I could find, even those I was definitely underqualified for. I did several interviews and assessment days, got a few offers but they didn't feel right.

The pressure to secure a job after graduation can be overwhelming, and it can often lead graduates to accept offers that may not align with their long-term goals or values. It's essential to remember that more opportunities will come your way. Each job offer you receive is an acknowledgment of your skills and potential, and it's worth recognising your worth during this process.

Remember, your first job out of university is just one foot into your career journey. It's a stepping stone that will help you gain valuable experience and skills, but it doesn't define your entire career path. 

Stay true to your goals, believe in your ability, and trust that the right opportunity will come along. Your worth is worth more than you might think.