Guest Writer The jump from studying for a degree to finding your first graduate role can feel pretty daunting. We asked our alumni for all the top tips on how to navigate the leap. Without further ado, here’s the highs, lows and lessons learned from finding their first graduate job!
Get clear on what you want
“Here’s what worked for me, what didn’t, and what I learned along the way. First, I got clear on the kind of role I wanted. That part matters more than people think. If you’re just applying to everything, you won’t build any real focus or depth. Once I picked the profile I was aiming for, I started studying specifically for that role. I watched YouTube videos, read blog posts, searched for answers to questions people in that job typically face. That made it easier to understand what companies were actually looking for.
If you already have some experience, be ready for competency-based questions. These are the behavioral ones – “Tell me about a time when…” and they’ll come up a lot. I made sure I had five solid projects I could talk about in detail. That gave me real material to pull from in interviews.
I also stayed active on LinkedIn. I followed people in the industry, commented on posts, shared what I was learning. That helps recruiters see you’re engaged and following current trends. I joined professional organisations like the Association for Project Management (APM) and International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). Their webinars were goldmines. I attended them regularly and posted summaries or takeaways. It’s a good way to show you’re serious about growing, and people do notice.
The truth? It’s hard. There were rejections, plenty of them. But it’s not impossible. If you know what you want, stay consistent, and keep improving, you’ll break through. Just don’t quit because someone else couldn’t see your value. Keep building your skills, your network, and your confidence. You’ll get there. I did. So can you.” Rekha, 2023
Embrace flexibility
“Be prepared to volunteer or take a lower paid job in return for experience. Sadly, having a degree does not guarantee you a perfect graduate job and working your way up the ladder is still something most people have to do. Don’t worry if you don’t get *those* top graduate jobs that are heavily advertised while you’re at uni – not many people do get them, so don’t let it knock your confidence.” – Rebecca, 2020
“Be flexible, the salary might be lower than you want but your first job is all about getting the experience! Don’t be a job snob – unemployment looks worse on a CV than a job you perceive as “beneath you”! – Curtis, 2023
Practice interview skills with your friends
“Get some interview practice in with friends asking you sample questions, or seek out people already doing the job who can tell you what they were asked at their interview. After every interview, take a note pad in your pocket and write down all the questions they asked you. This will help you formulate better answers for next time. This is essential if you were not successful.
Questions keep coming back in different formats, so just have some idea in advance of what you want to say is useful. In interviews, use live examples of how you have dealt with situations in the past. Interviews often have competency based questions like “Tell me about an occasion when you have done X,Y or Z.” Be prepared for these. Always seek out feedback if you did not get the job, so you can prepare for the next interview.” – Neil, 1988
Embrace rejection, and try to use it as an opportunity to grow
“When I first arrived at York, begin my MSc in Engineering Management, I could hardly have imagined that I’d one day stand before my peers as the Graduate Students’ Association (SU) President.
It was a role I earned through late-night campaign planning and endless cups of coffee, and one that showed me how powerful a united student community can be. But my journey wasn’t all highs: I still remember the freezing 4AM train to Preston for my first interview, arriving bleary-eyed after an overnight train and promptly stumbling through every question- an experience that ended in a polite rejection letter. From that, I learned the importance of planning every detail (including sleep), turning every disappointment into consistent work.
As an international student from China, I leaned on classmates from every corner of the globe for support, realizing that resilience and a strong network are just as vital as any technical skill. My story is a reminder that the highs and lows of your first graduate roles each carry lessons that shape the confident professional you’re meant to become.” – Mardan 2023
Don’t expect yourself to be perfect straight away
“Nobody expects you to know everything so don’t pretend that you do! Take every opportunity that you can to get involved in things outside your day job that interest you, and keep a log of everything you work on so you don’t forget it.” – Hannah D, 2023
Look out for a mentor in the workplace
“Once you do get a job you like, don’t assume you know it all. Instead find someone who is willing to informally mentor you at work – with the right person, they will really help you develop your skills. Don’t worry if your journey isn’t linear and as hard as it is, try not to compare your journey to someone else’s.” Rebecca – 2020
If you’re looking for further help with finding and thriving in your first graduate job, our careers team are here to support you. Below are some resources to help you on your journey:
- Network with alumni working in your dream role through our York for Life digital platform.
- Sign up to career mentoring from other alumni on York for Life.
- Reconnect with our careers team and book an appointment for careers support.
