How to get a great graduate job with your
history degree
Simon ReichwaldBright Futures
What we will cover:The graduate job market today
Why is it so competitive, who is recruiting youWhat do employers want & Some Top Tips
Graduates hit as
companies scrap
training schemes
[The Times 25/08/2010]
Many graduates 'earn less than school leavers'
People Management Magazine Online
Graduate unemployment at highest for over a decade [BBC News – 26/11/2010]
Graduate
unemployment
up 25 per cent
Times Higher
Education
04/07/2010Nearly 20000 of last year's graduates - one in ten - were unemployed six months after leaving university - up
from eight per cent in 2008.People Management Magazine
[02/07/2010]
Graduate
unemployment
increases 44% in
one year [The
Guardian 02/11/2010]
Value of holding a degree shrinks for 21st-century graduates - The Guardian
Work experience and networking key to graduate jobseekers [Chartered Management Institute]
New internships for graduate job
hunters [DirectGov]
Pay gap between graduates and those
without degrees widens with age
[The Guardian 07/09/2011]
Networking and work
experience are best ways into
graduate jobs[HRmagazine.co.uk]
Degree seen as vital for social mobility [Financial Times 07/09/2011]
1,800 : 8
>60%
c18-25k
83
100%
400,000Average
graduate salary as c18-25k
1,800:8Applications:roles for
major FMCG
Average number of applications per vacancy
400,000 new graduates each
year
100% more applications in 2010 than 2008
>60% graduates receive a
2:1 or better
85.6%% of placement or
internship candidates offered graduate jobs
• It will be tough
• You will need to be resilient
• “The more I practice the luckier I get”
• Take action now and everyday
Who recruits History grads from this list?
Where do they want to hire from?
So what do employers want?
The Fundamentals –First Impression
Academic Results? Work Experience? Skills? Competencies? Commercial Awareness? Communication / Influence? Positive Attitude?
What makes you different?
So what are they looking for?
Adapting & Coping
Leading & Deciding
Delivering results
Innovation &
creativity
Interacting with others &
presenting ideas
Organising &
delivering
Analysing & Interpreting Information
What Competencies do I need?
Make sure you prepare examples for these!
Focus on -◦Achievements◦Measurable results
Build your network◦Meet and talk to employers◦Be inquisitive, find out
It won’t happen by itself!◦ Not all your ideal employers come on campus◦Go find the employers
What else can you do…
Differentiate yourself Take Action
You cannot rely on your degree Build your knowledge & your contacts
Go that extra mile
What can I do now?
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and
learning from failure” Colin L Powell
Your Attitude ◦ You become what you think about
Your actions
“You’re on the ride you might as well open your eyes”
Get involved with the Bright Futures Society
On leaving today...
[email protected]. brightfutures.co.uk
01242 236415