Your final year of university is a pretty daunting one. Not only have you got the stress of deadlines and uni work, you also have to start thinking about what to do after university. The options are endless. From work, to further study, to travelling, it can take a while to wrap your head around what you want to do. If you have decided to head straight into the working world after university, when should you start applying for graduate jobs?
This mostly depends on the type of career you are aiming for. Some career paths offer specific roles and schemes for graduates, and applications for these jobs can open any time from September to May. In other careers, graduate jobs are less common, and it is more likely that you will be hunting for vacancies closer to your graduation date.
Where To Start With Graduate Jobs
The first step is to do a little research into your chosen career path. Find out whether there are any 2023 graduate schemes in the type of role that you are looking for. If there is, start applying to the ones that you are interested in as soon as possible.
Opening dates for these schemes most commonly take place between September and February, so remember to keep up to date with sites such as LinkedIn and Indeed for any new roles that have popped up. Typically, with graduate roles, applications are only open for a few weeks, so remember to check for deadlines and apply as soon as possible.
See also: How To Arrange A Part-Time Job While Studying
Is There An Ideal Time To Apply For Graduate Jobs?
If you are finding that graduate schemes are less common in your desired field, you may have to take a look at vacancies closer to your graduation date. It is possible to apply for jobs earlier. However, most jobs that aren’t a specified graduate scheme will be looking for somebody to begin the role immediately and won’t be able to wait until you have finished your degree.
That being said, it may still be worth applying. If companies like the look of your application, they could hold on to your details in case of any vacancies that come up as you are finishing your degree. It may be a great way to get your foot in the door!
It is never too early to begin applying for graduate roles, especially as vacancies come and go so quickly. For now, begin taking a look and applying for a couple of roles that you are really passionate about. But remember there is still plenty of time between now and the end of your course, and thousands of new jobs will become available in that time, so don’t panic if you don’t find something right away.
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