Jobs and Work Experience

Not all vacancies are advertised – in fact research suggests around 70% (Graduate Recruitment Bureau 2020). This is common for smaller employers who may not have the budget to advertise; or look to their own network for their next hire.

To locate these hidden opportunities, it is important that you take the initiative in your search. Identify an employer or sector of interest and do your research, so you are clued up on what would make a suitable candidate. Then you could try asking someone you know if they can put you in touch with a contact (also known as networking) for example, or approach an employer with a speculative application.

• Although some sectors may not be hiring at the moment, many supermarket chains, other essential retailers and delivery-based businesses are in need of part-time and temporary staff in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are advertising these vacancies through the Careers & Employability Centre.
• Please make sure you stay safe, do not put other people at risk and follow government guidance.
• TARGETjobs have shared some useful advice on what you need to know about job hunting during the coronavirus pandemic.

A number of charity organisations have paused their volunteering opportunities for the time-being due to the current circumstances, so there are likely to be fewer opportunities than normal. We are continuing to share any vacancies we receive via the Careers and Employability Centre, including virtual volunteering opportunities which you can access remotely.

• Many employers have reorganised their recruitment, moving to phone and virtual interview practices.
• Many larger employers are delaying or reducing the number of graduates they are recruiting; the picture for SMEs is still unclear.
• However, there are still graduate jobs being advertised – some are being offered as remote working opportunities initially.
• With fewer graduate jobs, the labour market is more competitive so you might find it harder to find or get the job you want. It’s important to remember that you are not alone in this. While it might feel like a setback, it doesn’t mean your degree wasn’t worthwhile and that you need to abandon hope of ever landing a job that you love.
• Many of the key graduate employment sectors (including health, social care and IT) have been less affected by the pandemic.
• In a more challenging economic climate, consider what opportunities you can get involved with in the short-term. You will have developed plenty of transferable skills through your time at university, and these could lend themselves well to broader opportunities beyond those directly related to your degree.
• You can continue to develop your employability and engage in career planning through other means, such as virtual work experience opportunities, free online short courses and researching relevant employers.
• Visit the Next Steps Support website for information and resources to support you in your career journey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many larger graduate employers run structured graduate training programmes, or ‘graduate schemes’. The training lasts around 12-24 months and can involve working across different aspects of the business. Many schemes start recruiting from the beginning of the academic year for the following summer, so it’s important that you do some research and are ready to apply by the time you start your Bachelor’s/Top-Up year. Find out more about graduate schemes.

• A wide range of graduate schemes are advertised on the Careers and Employability Centre
• Looking to stay within the South West region? Gradsouthwest have put together a South West Graduate Scheme Directory.
• A list of popular graduate schemes and deadlines for 2019/20 – Save the Student