Graduate & Trainee Jobs | Jobs & Careers

You may be one of the lucky few who have snapped up an amazing job before you have even graduated! However, if you are a fresh graduate looking for your first job, you will quickly realise how very time-consuming job-hunting can be. Even if you are an experienced graduate on his or her second job, it can be hard to know where to look. Although job-hunting may be tedious, it is not rocket science. This article aims to help give you some direction as you are take those important steps to start or advance your graduate career.

Main Categories of Graduate Jobs
Accounting
Engineering
Banking, Finance and Insurance
Education and Teaching
Management and Executive
Legal
IT, Computing and Telecoms
Human Resources, Training and Recruitment
Healthcare
Marketing & Public Relations
Media, Creative and Design
Public Sector
Sales
Science

Where To Find a Graduate Job
If you are still at university you will have access to a wide range of information at your university's careers advisory service -- you should definitely take advantage of this resource. In your university's careers office, you will find free job directories with information on graduate recruiters, including background company information, details of the type of work offered, locations, academic requirements and application details. You will even have a qualified careers advisor to discuss issues and ask questions, all free-of-charge!

Posters should inform you about career fairs and other graduate employment events. Also, look up specialised student magazines usually available at the university's libraries or other public spaces - employers regularly use student newspapers and magazines, such as RealWorld, to advertise graduate job opportunities.

Another excellent resource to use whilst at university are 'The University Milkrounds'. These are employment fairs where various companies will usually give presentations, conduct tests and interviews aimed at students who have studied the relevant subjects and who have the academic qualifications they are looking for. The Milkround can be a great opportunity to meet a prospective employer, get to know them and vice-versa. It is also the most time-efficient way of meeting a host of prospective employers all under one roof. If you are fortunate enough to be the type of applicant they are looking for, it can be much easier to get an interview while at university. It is harder after you have graduated, as you may have to compete with students from other universities.

If you have already left university, the other main resources you can use are as follows:

The Internet -- there are many websites available specialising in graduate recruitment. These online recruitment companies offer you the opportunity to post your CV on their website. They will help match your skills with a relevant graduate job. Many allow you to search for jobs based on region, sector, job title or even salary. Some offer their services for free while others will impose a charge. Even if you don't feel comfortable finding a job through this method, it is still worth using them as resource as they have a lot of useful information such as top recruiters, top sectors and even top salaries! More beneficial is their tips and advice on job hunting skills. There are also some job websites, similar to classified advertisements, which simply lists jobs available in a certain sector or certain industries. These websites do not carry out any matching -- the job-seeker will be required to contact the employer directly by telephone or email.

Recruitment Agencies -- there are many recruitment firms across the UK which specialise in graduate jobs. Larger firms may manage all forms of graduate employment. Smaller firms may just specialise in one specific area, for example, legal or marketing jobs. Using a reputable recruitment agency is a focused way of finding a job as they are in constant contact with employers and know their needs well. If your skills and qualifications are suitable, the recruitment agency will put forward your CV and their job is to sell your attributes to the prospective employer.

Graduate Recruitment Advertisements in National Newspapers -- this is perhaps the more traditional way of looking for jobs. The following broadsheets have weekly supplements dedicated to certain sectors of the graduate job market -- The Guardian, The Independent, The Telegraph and The Times. These job advertisements are available both online and offline.

Human Resources Departments -- another way of looking for a graduate position is to directly contact the Human Resources department of the companies you are interested in working for. Many larger corporations conduct specific graduate training or graduate programmes which are managed by their in-house HR professionals. If they like your CV, they may be able to put your details on record until an appropriate position becomes available.

What To Expect When Applying for a Graduate Job
The Association of Graduate Careers Annual Review suggest that a typical starting salary for a first-degree graduate ranges from 13,500 to 35,000 with an average salary of 18,600. The lowest starting salaries are found within the insurance industry and the public sector and the best salaries, over 20,000, in legal services, banking and finance. Other business services such as IT, transport, communications and consultancy services see typical starting salaries of 19,500. Please note that the above figures are approximations, use them only as a guide.

Apart from the salary, graduates can generally expect training and continual skill development, a good level of responsibility, further professional qualifications and opportunities to progress throughout the company. Additionally, graduates should also expect good working conditions and possibly benefits including a pension scheme, subsidised private healthcare, relocation expenses and more. In certain jobs, a car, mobile phone and laptop are part of the package.

In return for the above benefits, employers expect an excellent academic degree as well as the following skills: self-reliance, strong oral and written communication abilities, flexibility, organisational skills, decision-making, the ability to build and work as part of a team, problem solving, action planning, leadership, negotiation, interpersonal skills, including the ability to network effectively.

Final Thoughts
When applying for a graduate position, first impressions are vital -- make sure you present your CV accurately and professionally. It may be worth using the services of a CV writing company if you are not happy with the look of your CV. Friends and family are useful people who will be able to give you an honest opinion on your CV but remember that they may not be professionals and their assessment is subjective! Last but not least, remember the little things -- it is surprising how many graduates are regularly late for interviews or are dressed inappropriately.