• Applying for a job to start straight away. Many companies prefer to hire staff near the time they will start work. There are usually lots of jobs for new and recent graduates and post graduates around between May and the end of August, though jobs occur throughout the year. The supply of jobs reduces in the winter – but on the positive side, there are usually fewer people looking then. These jobs are often called “direct entry jobs” and the vacancies “immediate” or “current” vacancies. Many graduates get their first job this way.
  
  
• Wait for the next round of graduate recruitment by the large employers of graduates and postgraduates. They will start to advertise in September/October, many have closing dates in December or January or even earlier; you will start work in September, nearly one year later. If you decide to do this you will need to find something to do during that year, study, travel, voluntary work, temporary or permanent jobs – most often a mixture of these things. This time can be a chance to add to your portfolio of skills. During the application process be prepared to talk about why you didn’t apply in your final year of study and convince them that this was not due to lack of commitment.

You are welcome to discuss your options with a Careers Adviser here, even if your course is over. We can discuss things with you by phone if that is easier for you than visiting us, and we will give you all the help we can. We hope these pages will help too.