So you’ve just started the final year of your degree? You’ve got this!
Amid the stresses of dissertations, exams and generally making the most of the last days of student life, we’ll forgive you if getting ready to find a job after uni isn’t the number one thing on your mind. However, if you do want to be prepared, this is your chance to make your life after final year that little bit easier.
Here are fourteen handy hints and tricks for boosting your employability during your final year.
Put your studies first
Finding a job for after you graduate might seem really important, but it shouldn’t be your top priority. Your studies should be.
After investing your time and money into attending university, it’s time to get organised, swot up, and get the grade you deserve.
Create a schedule for your studies, start any big projects (like dissertations) early, and approach lecturers or tutors for extra support if there are any areas you are struggling with.
Getting a great degree will boost your employability after uni, so put your studies first.
But, it’s not all about the grades
Sure, grades matter, but they’re not the be all and end all. While students who graduate with first-class honours do tend to earn more in their first job after uni, it’s not as vast a difference as you may think.
Adzuna analysis found the average first salary post-graduation for those with a first is just £3.5k more than the average first salary post-graduation of those with a degree of any grade, at just over £30k.
What’s more, a growing number of employers are now looking beyond grades alone for graduate placements, with companies including Jaguar Land Rover, Aldi, and EY now accepting graduates with a 2:2.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t focus on getting the best degree you can, but remember that it’s not essential to snag a great job after you leave.
Read more: Does your degree class affect your earnings?
Take care of your mental and physical health
We understand if you want to attend every society party and night out during your final year, but make sure you get enough sleep too – your future self will thank you.
Nourish your mind and body with healthy food, take time to exercise, and schedule in regular ‘me-time’ where you can rest and recharge.
Remember, final year is a marathon not a sprint and to get to the finish line you need to take care of yourself.
Use your careers team
Universities want their alumni to go on to achieve greatness, so it’s in their interests to help you find a job.
Find out what support your university offers by exploring their careers service. Schedule an appointment with a university advisor to discuss your options, explore future career paths, or to work on your CV.
You should also find out details like if you can use a lecturer or similar as a reference for a future employer. This can all help take the pressure off when you come to look for a job.
Create your CV
On the subject of CVs, this is one area where you can get ahead. It can be tricky to craft your first CV because you’re relying more on your hobbies and Saturday jobs to stand out, but there are still things you can do to stand out.
Read our guide: How to write a CV with no work experience
You’ll want to get your CV prepped and ready so it’s not a last minute scramble to meet application deadlines. Plus, you’ll probably want to iterate your CV a few times based on feedback from friends or mentors. It’s a great idea to get the ball rolling.
Remember to run your CV through ValueMyCV too to check for any spelling or formatting errors!
Look for internships or part-time roles
Talking of standing out, internships or part-time roles can help set your CV apart from the competition. Not only this, having some prior experience on your CV is something to talk about at an interview. Having examples of real-world challenges you’ve faced will impress a future employer. And the money comes in handy too!
Internships or part-time jobs are by no means essential experience though – only consider them if you feel confident that you can fit them around your studies and not burn out. Otherwise, it may be better to avoid term-time placements and focus on shorter placements for the holidays instead.
Consider volunteering
An alternative way to gain experience to set you apart is by volunteering. Even if you can’t commit a huge amount of time, a few hours a week, or a more intense voluntary project over the holidays, can boost your employability.
Employers love to see volunteering on a CV because it demonstrates soft skills like a good work ethic, time management and organisation. It also shows that you’re someone who cares about wider society issues, meaning you’re more likely to be someone they will want to work with.
Apply for graduate schemes
If you’re keen to score a graduate scheme placement, timing is everything. And application season may be earlier than you think!
In the UK, employers generally start advertising graduate schemes in September, with the application period tending to run until January. A word of caution though, some application windows may close earlier.
Some schemes may also have multiple deadlines for various application stages, so we recommend making a spreadsheet where you can track all your live applications.
The advantage of a graduate scheme is that they tend to pay quite well for first jobs out of uni, and most times include an element of on-the-job training that will boost your employability once the scheme has finished. What’s more, many lead to permanent job opportunities at prestigious companies.
The downside is they are highly competitive, so you’ll likely need to apply for more than a handful to succeed.
Read more: Ultimate guide to UK graduate schemes
Attend job fairs
Got your CV prepped but still not sure where to start applying? Attending a few job fairs can be a good way to find companies you might want to work for and figure out what they’re looking for.
To make the most of a job fair, we recommend asking employers or recruiters questions about any jobs you’re interested in. That way, if it leads to an interview, you have an advantage and can prepare answers accordingly.
It’s a smart idea to take some copies of your CV with you to leave with any potential employers you get chatting to. If the event is online, follow up with a PDF version of your CV instead.
Check university job boards
Many employers will post their graduate level roles on university job boards because they know it’s the perfect way to reach candidates looking for work.
This means checking your university job board for openings is a no-brainer! You can generally access these after graduation too, so make sure to note down your log-in details.
Clean up your social profiles
Before an interview, any recruiter or hiring manager worth their salt will look up your social profiles. Alongside creating your CV, audit your social profiles and remove any less-than-professional content (or at least change your settings so they can’t see).
Political rants on X or TikTok might feel great at the time, but they could also put off potential employers.
Build a network
Your friends today are foundations of your professional network. If you haven’t already, set-up a LinkedIn profile and connect with your peers and tutors.
As well as staying in touch, it can also be a great motivation to follow along your friends’ career journeys and cheer them on from the sidelines.
Start building your personal brand
This is about what you *do* want a future employer to see. Writing blog content? Love creating videos? If you’ve got a niche, embrace your talents and start building your personal brand on LinkedIn and beyond.
Know what you stand for and start sharing it with the wider digital world – you never know who might be watching. Just remember to always stay professional.
Weigh up all the options
Getting a job isn’t the only path after university. If you’re still not sure what you want, you might prefer to take a gap year to travel or even to pursue further education – finances allowing!
Don’t rush into a job if it doesn’t feel right. You have your whole life to work, so take the time you need before making any decision.
Read more: What your fave A-level and GCSE subject says about your future career