If you’re applying for a graduate job with a recruiter you may be curious about how it works. There is a lot involved, but essentially, businesses pay recruiters to find people that they can’t find themselves. It’s not easy to find the right person; it can take time, and requires specific skills.
Taking on and training a graduate requires a significant investment in time and money. If a business only takes on limited numbers of graduates, it’s a huge blow if one leaves after they have spent time and money training them up.
So the recruiter is looking for someone who can do the job, wants to do it, and who has the commitment to stay long-term.
It’s important to get a good mutual match: an SME won’t want a graduate who can’t contribute effectively due to lacking essential key-skills; or who will take their job as a stop-gap (or a way to get experience), and leave after a year or two. They have to start the process again. It’s also not fair on the unsuccessful graduates who would find the role ideal for them. And equally, it’s important that you get the right role for you.
Every time I put someone forward for a job, my reputation is on the line. So I take great care to make sure there is a mutual match; it’s why my employers come back to me year after year. And why I have so many recommendations on LinkedIn from students and graduates.
Here are my thoughts on some of the key areas:
MAKE SURE THE JOB IS OF INTEREST BEFORE APPLYING
It’s very easy to apply for individual jobs now, and it can takes seconds through a job board. Every day I speak with people who have applied without reading the advert, and it’s soon clear that the job is not what they want. It’s important to make sure that the job you are applying for is genuinely of interest, for your benefit as much as the employer.
THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCATION
Another thing to bear in mind is location. You need to be sure its going to be ok before applying. And many employers are wary if someone needs to relocate, or commute too far. Find out more here
WHY IS THE EMPLOYER NOT NAMED?
You may notice that employers are not always named on the advert; there are various reasons for this, the main one being that the recruiter is acting on behalf of the employer, who wants them to handle the applications. If the employer is named then they will end up with a lot of people contacting them directly and they don’t want that; especially as most will not be suitable.
Realistically, it’s likely that you won’t have heard of the employer initially anyway, so there is no advantage in knowing who they are. The advert should have enough information for you to decide if the role is a good fit, and of interest. Then if you are a good match, the recruiter will discuss the employer with you.
WHAT ABOUT SALARY?
I sometimes speak with graduates who feel that a job is not worth going for if the salary is not 30k plus.
This is partly caused by the high-visibility of the big graduate schemes. And the reported average graduate salary of over 30k; but this is skewed by some particularly high salaries.
Although salary can vary across industry sectors, I would say that the true figure is more like mid 20s. With some opportunities paying more than this, others less.
Of course there needs to be development on salary when in the role. But that usually does come in time.
And not everyone can get the highest paid jobs. The competition is fierce; and with some of the bigger ones the process can rule out many very strong applicants.
Some of the graduates I speak with who are holding out for 30k+ have already tried to get into these schemes, and been unsuccessful. Holding out for too long can cause it’s own problems, as you may miss out on many good opportunities.
For example one graduate I know left it the best part of 2 years to consider jobs with a lesser salary, and he’s now finding it difficult when up against graduates with more recent degrees.
If you can get the higher salary, and it’s a good opportunity, then that’s great. But the salary in itself doesn’t mean that it’s the best job for you.
Rejecting jobs on salary alone can be a short-sighted view; most graduates will have years of working ahead of them, this is only the starting point.
So try and think of an opportunity in the context of your whole career. Not just the starting salary.
My advice would be to consider each opportunity on its merits. And if the only negative is salary, and all your other boxes are ticked, then consider it seriously.
LOOKING FOR JOBS TAKES TIME
If you are already working it may not be so easy to spend a lot of time on searching for a new graduate job; but if you want to get something more suitable then you do need to invest that additional time. And again, being selective with applications can help. If you are not working, and have no responsibilities, then please bear in mind that a full-time job is around 40 hours or so; investing even half of that in job searching, and learning additional skills, can really help.
Some approach looking for work and developing new or existing skills as a full-time job in itself, setting their alarm and getting to it at 9am or so. This approach is, I feel, the best one to take; particularly as it also helps to maintain some structure. That may not be for everyone, but either way, you need to invest significant time in your job search. And remember to keep it focused.
WHAT DATES ARE JOBS AVAILABLE?
There are many great benefits of working for an SME; this blog explains more. One thing that you will notice is that they recruit as and when they need someone. Some graduates believe that every graduate job will start in September, but that is not the case. I have jobs available to start in every month of the year.
WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE?
There usually isn’t one for my jobs. Applications are usually assessed as and when they come in; so if someone fitting the profile is found then they may be booked in for an interview quickly. I would always recommend moving quickly with your application, and replying to any communication from the recruiter.
DO A LOT OF PEOPLE APPLY?
You may hear of huge numbers of applications for graduate jobs. It can sound scary, and may even put some people off applying. But I can guarantee that you will not be in competition with everyone who applies.
For most graduate jobs a high percentage of applicants will be ruled out immediately. They may not have the right degree; or maybe lack an essential skill or piece of knowledge. Their application could be sloppy; or if they are an international graduate, the business may not be able to provide sponsorship for them. It could be one of many reasons.
The most applications I have had for one job was over 1,500 for a Marketing job in London. Most applied to adverts I placed; others I proactively found and approached. More generally, it could be dozens to hundreds (though the big graduate schemes get a lot more).
The example above? Only around 30 (or 2%) were in real contention. And less than 10 really stood out.
The odds don’t sound so bad now, do they?
If you are a good fit for the required criteria, and you are interested in the job, then please don’t let the numbers put you off. Go for it: put a good application in, making sure the key criteria are covered on your CV, and you could be a contender.
HOW CAN I STAND OUT?
The employer does not have time to interview everyone, they want the applicants who are most suitable and interested. The aim is to create a shortlist of the best and most suited so they can be interviewed. Various factors go into determining who is on that shortlist. Similarly, the recruiter cannot speak with everyone; they will speak with ones who are the strongest match for the required criteria.
The initial application needs to demonstrate suitability and interest. Those who look a good match on paper will be contacted to progress their application, with a call to discuss further and expand upon some of the key areas. If someone does not fit the key criteria then they will generally not be called.
The recruiter will narrow down the large number of applications to a manageable number who can be interviewed; with the ultimate aim of finding the one who is the best match. It’s not an easy process, especially where there are a lot of strong applicants. Sometimes little things can make the difference.
It’s important to demonstrate that you want, and are suited to, THIS job, not just A job.
This blog covers how applications are assessed, and how you can increase your chances of being successful. And this one has lots of tips to improve your CV.
HOW MANY WILL BE INTERVIEWED?
Generally, between 1 to 5 applicants will make it through to the employer interview stage. For example, if there is a pool of 100 who apply for a graduate job, and 5 are to be interviewed, then each applicant has a theoretical 5% chance of being selected for interview. However, in reality many have a 0% chance, as they do not have the right skills, degree, or knowledge. Others have a 100% chance as they are such a good match.
There are many others who lie in-between, and who look very similar on paper; for these in particular some extra time invested in the application can significantly increase their chances. If key areas are not covered on their CV, I will generally give these students and graduates a second-chance, and ask them to send me more information. Some do this, but many don’t.
INTERACTION WITH THE RECRUITER
If you do get the call from a recruiter and it goes well, you will find out more about the role and the business, and then will be asked to have a look through the company website, think a bit more about the role and why it’s suitable, and add anything else to the CV that you can with this knowledge.
It could be expanding on something that has been discussed, adding something to the CV that was not on there initially such as a piece of experience, or maybe referring to a project you did at university that was particularly relevant. Ultimately, it’s about adding the finishing touches and demonstrating why you should be one of the few who should be selected for interview over all the others.
If there is a reason why you may not be able to do it quickly then please let the recruiter know. In many cases a call has gone well, and I have said to the person that they were in contention for the shortlist, and asked them to make these changes; but they then returned the CV several days later, with a brief sentence added, and key criteria still not covered. It doesn’t really demonstrate enthusiasm, and it can also be seen as a possible negative indicator for the speed and quality of work if they were in the job.
Please also remember that any communication with a recruiter or employer may be taken into account, particularly in roles where communication is required, as it could be seen that this is how your communication would be in the role. I often get emails with ‘text speak’, or lazy writing- for example replying to an email with ‘Hi,’ with no name used (even sometimes on the first email); or spelling mistakes and no punctuation. This can look sloppy.
I don’t rule out someone automatically for doing this, but I know plenty of employers who do. It may seem a little thing, but it will not take much longer to check before you press send, and it will come across as a lot more professional. Especially if you’re applying for a job where writing is part of it.
If you are asked for more information or to expand on something it will be for a very good reason – so be clear and polite with any answers (and don’t be defensive or hostile). Remember that the recruiter is an extension of the business, and has been trusted to find the right people for them.
WHAT IF YOU’RE NOT SUCCESSFUL?
Generally, the most suitable applicant will get the job. Not everyone can be successful, so some very strong applicants will miss out. It may be that you were a very good match, and did everything right, but someone else just edged it. It’s important to keep going as there will be a job out there for you.
Not being successful can be disheartening, and the temptation may be to send as many graduate job applications as possible, but conversely this may decrease your chances of getting something- or certainly the job you most want. A ‘spray and pray’ approach is not targeted and relies on a lot of luck.
If you are in this situation my advice would always be to keep applying, but try and remain as focused as possible. You need to set aside a good amount of time to apply for jobs; but make sure its quality time, focusing on the roles you most want and are most suited to.
(Please note that I work with small to medium sized businesses, who generally recruit as and when they need someone- so the process will be different in many ways to big graduate schemes).
Matthew Parry,
Director. SME Graduate Employment
Email: matthew@sme-graduates.co.uk Telephone: 0370 774 9500
SME Graduate Employment is a specialist student and graduate recruitment agency covering permanent jobs, placements, and internships across the UK. Most job types and business sectors are covered.
You can see student and graduate jobs advertised here Student and Graduate job vacancies (sme-graduates.co.uk) and read more blogs and advice to help develop your employability skills here University student and graduate employability advice and tips (sme-graduates.co.uk)
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