Start Early

To find a graduate job it is strongly recommended that you start preparing as early as possible. Many of the larger graduate recruitment schemes have closing dates well in advance of the date they actually start, in some cases as early as December. If you are looking to work for a smaller organisation they are unlikely to advertise too far ahead but you should still be researching the local labour market and the necessary skills and experience required.

Having relevant work experience will put you at a distinct advantage when you come to look for a graduate job. It will demonstrate to employers a commitment to your chosen profession and a willingness to manage your own career development. Through practical experience you will also have gained important employability skills to add to your academic knowledge. Current students at Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Hope University and the University of Liverpool are eligible to register with Business Bridge. This service provides students with the opportunity to undertake part-time project work in businesses across Merseyside.

Most universities have a student employment service affiliated to the National Association Of Student Employment Services. A list of these can be found at www.morethanwork.net.

Smaller local companies are likely to use other means of advertising such as the local press, local recruitment agencies, job centres, advertisements in local graduate vacancy lists or even word of mouth. For many of these smaller firms speculative applications enquiring about current or future vacancies, and submitting your CV for their consideration should a suitable vacancy arise is the most fruitful approach.

Where To Start

If you are unsure what you want to do when you leave university, information and advice is available to help you decide. Students and recent graduates should visit their university careers service where you will find a wealth of information including occupational and employer profiles, guidance on how to fill in application forms and, if necessary, the opportunity to speak to a careers adviser. Online careers information and job vacancies can be found at www.prospects.ac.uk, a comprehensive careers website that also allows students to email a consultant for advice up to five years after graduation.

If you have already graduated and are either unemployed or under-employed, GIEU offers graduates in the Merseyside area the opportunity to acquire new skills and move their career forward through a wide range of employment, paid placements, career management and training opportunities.

Graduate Fairs

Graduate Fairs bring together a large number of graduate employers in one place and provide the ideal opportunity to talk to employer representatives about their company, the work they do and future recruitment. The Liverpool Fairs Partnership organises careers events and exhibitions for university students and graduates on Merseyside including the Liverpool Graduate Careers Fair and the Liverpool Graduate Recruitment Fair which features the Graduate to Merseyside Arena, a showcase for graduate opportunities in the local area.

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