Successful Graduate Job Hunting
from that when you’re writing your application. If the employer says they want team players or good communicators, then make sure you use the phrase ‘team player’ and ‘communicator’ in your application. Regardless of the way the questions are formatted, every employer is asking you to showcase that you have a good understanding of their organisation and the sector they operate it. They will want to know why you’re keen to do that particular role, and they’ll need to be confident you have the right skills and abilities for the job. Referencing the research you’ve done, the people you’ve met at recruitment or networking events, and industry articles you’ve read can help you provide the evidence that demonstrates you really understand what you’re applying for. There’s no reason why you can’t harness AI to do some of the basics here – collating details of your education and background, summarising the skills that a company is looking for, or compiling information about what an employer’s business is – but you should still draft your own details and examples of your achievements to make sure your application is as real and authentic as possible. And of course, once you’ve written your whole
need to react and apply to a new graduate job advert quickly. When you’re preparing an application, doing well-informed research about the employer is absolutely essential. Take time to follow their social media, connect with employees and recruiters on LinkedIn, and make the most of any events or appearances the employer has made at your university or advertises directly to students on their website. The more you know about the organisation, the easier it will be to explain why you’re motivated to work there and why you have the skills and experiences they are looking for. AI has made it very easy for anyone who is job-hunting to send o" lots of applications. But if you’re relying on AI to a large extent, then the applications that you’re creating are likely to be very mediocre and average. If everyone is using the same tools in the same way, your application isn’t going to stand out. Whether you’re submitting your CV with a cover letter, or completing an employer’s own application form, you need to tailor everything to the specific opportunity you’re applying for. Take the time to read-up on what it is they’re looking for, for that particular role, and work backwards
How the ‘Class of 2026’ Applied for Graduate Jobs
JOB APPLICATIONS IN FINAL YEAR
THROUGH WORK EXPERIENCE
More than a third of students who did internships or work placements at university received a graduate job offer from the employer they worked for
Graduates made an average of 24 job applications each, during their !nal year at university
SELECTION & ASSESSMENT
GRADUATE JOB OFFERS
4 out of 5 graduate job hunters found employers’ online tests and recorded video interviews dif!cult
Only a quarter of graduates from the ‘Class of 2026’ received a graduate job offer before leaving university
Source High Fliers Research 15,557 final year students leaving UK universities in the summer of 2025 were asked about the job applications they had made to graduate employers and their progress with job o"ers, during interviews for The UK Graduate Careers Survey 2025
42 TOP 100 GRADUATE EMPLOYERS
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