The graduate job market has undoubtedly been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In our last blog, we talked about how many graduates have missed out on or lost work and internship opportunities since obtaining their degree due to the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, research has found that the number of graduate jobs being advertised has dropped by 60.3% since last year.
What’s more, with the commencement of Lockdown 3.0 in January, the impact of this is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
As a result, the way that graduates are looking for work has been affected in a number of different ways – from the use of graduate job search websites to actual job availability and more.
Read on to find out how and to benefit from our top graduate job search tips…
1. Several industries have less opportunities available than previously.
Sadly, as a result of the pandemic, a number of industries and sectors have had to close on a temporary or permanent basis. Some of these include restaurants, hotels and other hospitality settings, performing arts venues, travel agencies and more.
This has unfortunately meant that there are fewer graduate jobs currently available to apply for in these fields; one recent study even found that 27% of graduate employers will be recruiting fewer graduates due to the pandemic.
However, it’s important to remember that these opportunities are not gone completely – they just require a little more digging around the internet to find (graduate job search websites like ours at i2i Recruitment can be especially helpful with this).
It’s also good to keep in mind that other industries, such as the healthcare sector, education, online retail, supermarkets and even marketing departments are still fully operational – and some are even busier than ever!
i2i Recruitment top tip: It might seem counterproductive to apply for a role in a sector that doesn’t relate to your degree or what you want to do in the future.
However, by working in one of these sectors, you might pick up a range of diverse skills that you wouldn’t be able to anywhere else, and that you can transfer to your dream role later down the line – so it’s always worth giving something different a go!
This is where registering with the right recruiter can help – for instance, at i2i Recruitment, we’ll be able to help you apply for roles in a variety of sectors that you might not have otherwise found.
2. As a result of the above, job searches are more competitive than ever…
Quite simply, because the number of jobs in certain sectors are lower than usual, the competition for graduate roles in these sectors has become increasingly fierce – especially as more than half of young people now go to university, and the number of applications per vacancy has boomed.
i2i Recruitment top tip: It’s easier said than done, but try not to let competition for roles be a roadblock to your graduate job search. You will have your own qualities that make you stand out from the crowd, and at the end of the day, there’s a difference only you can make!
We’d also recommend that you register with a recruiter that you can meet and work with face to face, such as i2i Recruitment; we believe that behind every CV is a person with extraordinary potential, and by registering with us, we’ll be able to really sell your personality to employers and bring your CV to life!
Be sure to check out our helpful blogs on CV and cover letter writing, interview techniques and more to place yourself well ahead of the competition, too.
3. … and the skills demand is higher
Due to the decrease in the number of jobs available in certain sectors, it’s also likely that, during your graduate job search, you’ll find that the skills and experience that these roles ask for is greater than usual.
This is because businesses really need to think hard about their future in light of the pandemic, and they will therefore be looking to employ only the most skilled graduates that will enable them to keep moving forward.
I2i Recruitment top tip: Use the time you have unemployed to really invest in skills, training and experience that you can add to your CV. It will also give you some interesting topics to talk about if employers ask you what you got up to during the lockdown in an interview!
It’s also worth looking into registering with the right recruitment agency to see how they can support you to embark upon these kinds of training opportunities. Try looking at a few Google reviews and recommendations to see which agency is the best fit for you.
4. Everything has moved online
Current restrictions mean that typical job processes and events, all the way from job fairs to interviews, can’t currently take place in a physical environment. As a result, most of these are now happening online, such as through virtual events or video calls.
I2i Recruitment top tip: Have a look on the internet to see what job fairs are taking place – Eventbrite alone has quite a few!
It also pays to do some interview practice over webcam with friends, family or when you register with an agency like i2i Recruitment so that, should you be invited for an online interview, you’ll be super-confident and prepared to smash it on the day.
5. The application process is taking longer
With the ongoing switch to online hiring processes, the transition from office to remote working and the increasing number of applications per available graduate role, the job application process is also generally taking longer than it would normally.
I2i Recruitment top tip: The key here is to be as patient as possible and not give up! Be sure to apply for as many roles as you can through graduate job search websites (rather than only applying for one role and waiting to hear back before applying for more), and really take your time to complete your applications to a high standard to increase your chances of securing an interview.
This is where the importance of choosing and registering with the best possible recruitment agency for you really stands out. Unlike corporate recruitment agencies, independent ones will be better able to keep you in the loop on how the application process is going!
You may ask, however: Should I even try applying for graduate jobs while the pandemic is ongoing?
Absolutely, we say! Even though the process may be slower and more competitive than usual, you’ll always be in with a better chance of being hired if you apply for a job than if you don’t.
In fact, by registering with i2i Recruitment here, you’ll have the opportunity to boost your chances even further by working alongside our expert recruitment officers and benefitting from their dedicated support during your graduate job search.
What’s more, we have a plethora of exciting graduate roles available here at i2i Recruitment that you can explore and apply for – some even requiring immediate starts! Take a look by following the link below.
