Most university students worry about how they’ll put their degree into practise after they graduate. Maybe you don’t have a five-year plan or even a one-year plan. That’s okay! All kinds of opportunities are waiting for you after you graduate, all you have to do is find them.
How do graduate recruitment agencies work?
Graduate recruitment agencies are specifically catered to people who have just graduated and have fresh skills to apply to the careers marketplace. While other agencies like Indeed or Totaljobs are aimed at anyone, graduate agencies provide opportunities to students who might not have as much experience as other job-seekers. You can sign up for various agencies and receive regular emails to ensure you don’t miss out on opportunities.
Here are some of the services that graduate recruitment agencies offer:
- Match candidates with job vacancies and work with the companies directly to help them fill these roles.
- Edit and optimise graduates’ CVs.
- Help candidates prepare for interviews.
- Provide constructive feedback from each interview and employer.
- Post jobs online to source applicants.
- Give candidates specialist advice for their chosen field.
Here are a few fantastic graduate recruitment agencies to check out!
Graduate Recruitment Bureau
The Graduate Recruitment Bureau is the UK’s leading independent graduate recruitment agency. They have helped a staggering 600,000 students start their careers, finding jobs relating to all types of degree disciplines. They also connect students to unadvertised, hidden jobs, providing opportunities that might be missed elsewhere.
Give A Grad A Go
Give A Grad A Go is one of the UK’s top graduate recruitment agencies, despite being a relatively new company. They have helped over 4,000 graduates find jobs at 800 plus companies. The roles that they offer range from junior graduate jobs to entry-level roles, so there is something for everyone. If you’re struggling with the interview process, they can provide tips to help you.
Debut
Debut helps graduates connect directly with top employers. They can also offer internship and work placement schemes for people looking to develop experience in specific fields. This is especially important, considering many jobs require experience. Debut is available as an app, so you can easily keep track of all your applications while finding new roles.
Aspire
Aspire has an array of jobs aimed at graduates, for example in start-up companies. Start-up companies are great for graduates, as they provide opportunities for growth and promotions. Aspire also has a blog, where they post industry advice such as interview tips.
Internships, Volunteering, and Placements
If you’re not a final-year student, you might be wondering how you can get some experience to make your CV stand out when you do enter the graduate job market. It might be a good idea to look for a summer internship or placement within your field of choice. You can find these on the careers sites, or on your university careers service. For more advice on internships, read our graduate internships guide.
University Careers Services
Your university careers service can do more than just find jobs for you, it can also help you with your CV and interview skills. You can often book a career appointment with a member of staff, who will help you consider your options and find an appropriate career path for when you finish university. University careers services also organise networking events where you can directly meet employers, along with job fairs and Q&A drop-in sessions.
Remember, it’s okay to not know exactly what you want to do with your life after university. You can take your time, try out different things, and see what works for you. For more information, click here to find out when you should be applying for graduate roles.
