In this difficult graduate jobs market, many students may think about giving up on their search or foregoing activities that they enjoy to make sure that they get an offer. Still, since employers look for well rounded individuals who have gained useful experience during university, it is important to strike the right balance.
A recent study by a research agency has revealed that fewer students plan to take a gap year after they finish their degree. It seems that students' views are changing and they are more eager to start their job hunt earlier and then hopefully enter a profession straight after university. It would be interesting to know how many students feel they cannot afford to take a gap year, compared to those who actually want to focus on their career. In a way this is a positive trend, but is it arising due to the pressures currently in the jobs market?
Well, inevitably competition for places has increased and so there is a greater incentive for students to plan ahead. The research agency also discovered that the number of applications for graduate jobs has increased by two fifths during the last two years. Students are applying for a greater number of the jobs in the hope of securing one at least. This seems to be a good idea, but you need to be careful that you do not apply to too many companies at the same time. This may make it difficult to find the time to take all the on-line tests and attend interviews. Also, although you will gain more experience, applying for your preferred jobs first and then others slightly later (if you are not successful initially) may be a better option.
Therefore, in line with varying market conditions have come changing attitudes. For example, more students are applying for graduate jobs in the earlier part of their final year, which is quite a long time before graduation. This not only gives them the comfort of receiving an offer with plenty of time to spare, but also means they can concentrate on their final exams. Increasingly students are not only doing internships after their penultimate year at university, but also they are thinking about careers in their first year. A number of companies hold insight days, so these are a good way to make initial contacts and find out more about the way that particular companies do business.
Overall, it is quite clear that the attitudes of students have changed during the last few years, especially due to the difficult economic climate. Still, the positive effect has been that students are generally more concerned about their careers and indeed more proactive in their search. This inevitably makes the hunt for graduate jobs more difficult, but probably more satisfying when you ultimately get the job that you have been looking for.
Arnab Datta
