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Our Graduate Roles

After leaving university, you’ll be open to prospects across multiple graduates of any degree background – making it easy for you to start your ideal graduate career.

If you’re about to leave university, or already have, and are panicking about looking for a job, don’t worry! If you’re unsure what career you want when you graduate, there are many options out there for you to have your pick. From a graduate job or scheme to internships, there are many routes out there after university to fit your desired path.

Organisations recognise the young talent in graduates which is why they have developed plenty of opportunities for people straight out of uni. Not only will these graduate roles help you develop the soft skills that are highly sought after, but you‘ll also gain industry-specific skills that will aid you to develop in your chosen career in the future.

There are prospects across multiple sectors (from finance, law, marketing and IT) that are open to graduates of any degree background – making it easy for you to start your ideal graduate career. In fact, the ISE (the Institute of Student Employers) found that by the end of 2018 employers were recruiting 7% more graduates than the previous year.

Even if you believe your degree may not have any direct bearing on the roles you hope to apply to, many employers will recognise the practical, transferable skills you have gained while at university. Before applying to a graduate job, it’s important to consider whether it’s the right choice for you.

Some factors which may be important to consider are whether you know your career options, recognise your skills, and of course, know where to look for opportunities. No matter which stage you have begun your search – whether you are only just starting university; or you’ve left the graduate job hunt a little late, we aim to help you cover all the basics to get you on the right path.

Though the application process can be stressful, it’s our goal to provide you with all the information you could need to succeed and get the grad job of your dreams. To help you navigate the next stage of your career journey, we’ve collected some useful questions and answers to help you find the perfect graduate role for you.

As a trainee, you'll enjoy education and training programmes built by employers to help you get 'work ready'.

What are the most attractive qualities in a graduate?

Employers are demanding more and more from their potential graduate recruits, wanting graduates who will fit in well with their business in terms of their skills, abilities and attitudes. Most employers emphasise the totality of what individuals have to offer to them – this means that it is not just your qualification or degree subject that they’ll find attractive, but also your own personal qualities which make you, you. You have to be the entire package.

Employers want emotionally intelligent candidates. This means graduates must be effective communicators and display positive work attitudes which make them good team players. Displaying enthusiasm for work and knowledge of the company during an interview is a good indication of your potential character once you gain the job.

Not all employers may expect you to have completed work experience, but this may help demonstrate the crucial skills and qualities that are desired within a business, such as communication and flexibility in the face of potential challenges.

At the end of the day, graduate employers appreciate the work that goes into a degree and understand if you may not have work experience. You’ll have similar skills to the ones described above if you’ve worked hard in your group projects or have undertaken extra-curricular activities, such as any volunteering opportunities, that have come your way.

Do employers accept a 2.2 for a graduate opportunity?

Though some graduate employers may request that you have a 2.1 degree or higher, this is by no means true for them all, and since the pandemic many employers have been more flexible in their entry requirements. Even some of the most popular recruiters can be flexible in their approach to degree awards. Many graduate employers favour the skills that you have developed throughout your degree in making you a valuable employee.

Those people skills, your independent work capability and research talents that you’ve picked up over the years at university will help you get through that initial barrier into the graduate role of your dreams. The most common sectors that are open to graduates with a 2.2 include financial services and insurance, engineering and construction, IT and technology, as well as jobs in the public sector.

However, if you’re set on joining a large employer, don’t fret, it’s possible to find relevant work experience at smaller companies and find a way in later with the relevant experience under your belt. Just remember, every employer is different!

What is the difference between a graduate job and a graduate scheme?

The difference between a graduate job and a graduate scheme can be subtle, but it’s important to recognise these when looking for jobs after uni. A graduate scheme is often a time-limited training programme (often a year to three years) and is an employer’s template to produce a fully qualified professional accredited by the professional body of your occupation. You must keep in mind that schemes do not guarantee employment after they end, but you’ll have an opportunity to rotate around the company and learn the different aspects of a business.

However, a graduate job can be much broader. It denotes a role that requires an honours degree. A graduate job does not necessarily mean you’ll be enrolled on a programme of professional training as a graduate scheme entails. Graduate jobs are often less structured than schemes and your development in a company may be dictated more by your own strengths and weaknesses than following a set training programme.

Is my personality or my test results more important in a graduate role interview?

Assessing your personality during recruitment is harder than assessing practical skills, but to employers, it’s often crucial to ensure a good fit at their company. Richard Branson agrees that personality is one of the most crucial aspects interviewers look for when meeting recruits, stating: 

The first thing to look for when searching for a great employee is somebody with a personality that fits with your company culture. Most skills can be learned, but it is difficult to train people on their personality. If you can find people who are fun, friendly, caring and love helping others, you are on to a winner.

There you have it – let your personality shine to succeed!

Does my degree subject matter in a graduate job?

There are roles across multiple sectors that do not require a specific degree. Employers recognise that no matter what you studied, your degree will give you transferable skills that make you an effective employee.

For instance, written communication skills (from the long years of writing coursework, essays or lab reports!), the ability to research and organise notes, and time management and independent working are all valuable skills that are not restricted to your degree topic. Remember, roles in Management, IT and financial services do not always need degree subjects in these specific fields.

Will I be paid?

The good news is that most graduate jobs are full-on, full-time, full-responsibility jobs with the pay-check to match. According to the High Fliers Graduate Market Report in 2018, the median starting salary for UK graduates for that year was £30,000, with the average starting salary being from £19,000 to £22,000.

However, these figures majorly depend on the size and prestige of the company you wish to work for, with larger companies offering larger starting salaries than those of a humbler nature. When looking for grad jobs it’s important to consider that many internships may not be paid, so are not a financially viable option for all wishing to gain work experience.

As a trainee, you'll enjoy education and training programmes built by employers to help you get 'work ready'.

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