How to secure a graduate role

10 things every student should be doing

The graduate job market has become increasingly competitive. Recent research from the Institute of Student Employers found that employers are now receiving an average of 140 applications for every graduate vacancy, the highest level recorded in over 30 years.

At the same time, graduate vacancies have fallen in several sectors, meaning students need to think strategically about employability long before they finish university.

Whilst the market is challenging, there are clear steps students can take during university to dramatically improve their chances of success.

1. Use your time at university wisely

A degree alone is rarely enough now. Employers increasingly look for students who have demonstrated initiative and interest outside lectures.

If you are interested in journalism, get involved with the student newspaper. If you are considering marketing, help run social media for a society. If you are interested in engineering, take part in competitions or projects.

Students who leave university with examples of real experience immediately stand out from the crowd.

Useful experience could include:

• volunteering

• committee roles

• part-time work

• student ambassador roles

• enterprise projects

  
  

These all help develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation and problem-solving all highly valued by employers.

2. Secure Internships and Work Experience early

One of the biggest mistakes students make is waiting until final year to think seriously about careers.

The summer between second and third year is often crucial. Internships help students:

• build confidence

• understand workplace culture

• gain commercial awareness

• develop professional contacts

• improve their CV significantly

• 
  

Many graduate employers recruit directly from internship programmes, making them one of the best routes into permanent graduate employment.

Some useful graduate career websites include:

• Prospects

• TARGETjobs

• Gradcracker

• Milkround

• RateMyPlacement

• Bright Network

3. Apply for Graduate Schemes much earlier than you think

Many students are shocked to discover that graduate schemes often open in September or October of final year.

Some employers recruit on a rolling basis, meaning vacancies can close months before the official deadline if enough strong candidates apply.

Students who wait until after graduation are often already behind the competition.

During the final summer break, students should:

• prepare and refine their CV

• practise psychometric and aptitude tests

• improve their LinkedIn profile

• research employers

• begin applications early

  
  

Preparation and organisation are often what separate successful applicants from unsuccessful ones.

4. Use your dissertation strategically

A dissertation can become much more than an academic exercise.

It can help students:

• explore a career interest

• develop specialist knowledge

• build technical skills

• create excellent interview talking points

For example, a maths student might explore coding or data analysis, while a psychology student may focus on workplace wellbeing or consumer behaviour.

Employers often remember candidates who can speak enthusiastically and in depth about a subject they genuinely enjoyed researching.

5. Whilst at University get to know yourself

Many graduates apply for jobs simply because they sound impressive or because friends are doing the same thing.

John Holland’s Career Theory (often known as RIASEC) suggests that job satisfaction and career success are strongly linked to matching personality and interests with the right working environment.

Keeping a journal can really help students reflect on:

• what energises them

• what drains them

• which environments they enjoy

• which tasks they naturally gravitate towards

Self-awareness often leads to better long-term career decisions and greater confidence during interviews.

6. Build Relationships and learn from others

Students can sometimes isolate themselves during job hunting, especially when confidence drops.

To avoid this:

• speak to peers

• attend networking events

• connect with alumni

• ask lecturers questions

• use university careers services

Many opportunities come through conversations and shared knowledge rather than online applications alone.

Research consistently shows that networking plays a major role in career success, with many vacancies filled through professional connections before they are widely advertised.

7. Stay flexible and keep momentum

One of the biggest barriers for graduates is becoming too narrow too early.

A first role does not define an entire career.

Students who remain open-minded about:

• locations

• sectors

• entry routes

• temporary opportunities

• smaller companies

often gain valuable experience more quickly.

Many successful careers begin with a “stepping stone” role rather than a perfect graduate scheme.

8. Develop commercial awareness

Graduates should understand:

• what is happening in their industry

• how businesses make money

• current trends and challenges

• how technology and AI are changing the workplace

  
  

Commercial awareness is one of the key qualities employers look for during interviews and assessment centres.

Reading industry news, following employers on LinkedIn and staying informed about economic trends can make a real difference.

9. Understand the Recruitment processes

Many graduates I see underestimate how demanding the graduate recruitment processes can be.

Employers increasingly use:

• online aptitude tests

• situational judgement tests

• video interviews

• assessment centres

• competency-based interviews

Practising these skills matters.Confidence improves significantly when students understand what to expect and prepare properly in advance.

10. Create a professional online presence

Employers will often search LinkedIn before interviews.

Students should ensure they have:

• a professional profile photo

• clear descriptions of experience and achievements

• evidence of skills and interests

• connections with professionals in their chosen sector

  
  

A strong LinkedIn profile can help students discover opportunities earlier and present themselves more professionally to employers.

My final thoughts

The graduate market is challenging, but I have seen, time and time again, students who combine academic study with practical experience, self-awareness, networking and early preparation place themselves in a much stronger position than the average applicant.

As career development theorist Donald Super argued, career choice is not a single decision but an ongoing process of exploration and learning.

University should therefore be viewed not just as a place to gain a degree, but as an opportunity to develop skills, build confidence and discover what type of work is the right fit for you.