FOUR IN TEN HAVE APPLIED FOR OVER 100 JOBS AND A THIRD ARE CLAIMING THE DOLE
More than a third of UK graduates have been forced to claim Jobseekers Allowance, two fifths have applied for over 100 jobs and a quarter have not been offered any interviews at all. The shocking statistics come from jobs website TotalJobs.com, whose researchers also discovered that a third of graduates have been jobless for six months after finishing university.
Graduates said the biggest barrier they faced when trying to enter the job market was a lack of experience. Whilst they felt that university had been worthwhile, four in ten graduates said they thought six months’ work experience was the most important consideration for employers looking to fill entry level positions. Less than one in 10 rated having a 2:1 or above as the most important factor – and only one in 20 said their university’s reputation was the top factor.
And the challenge of finding work is pushing down graduates’ salary expectations. Today’s graduates expect to earn £19,800 a year, while those still at uni anticipate a salary of £800 a year more. But there was some good news. There has been a 5% drop in graduates that have been looking for work for over a year and confidence has also improved as a result. In November 2011, 19% of graduate jobseekers said that they were not at all confident of finding work in the next year. Six months later, the figure had dropped to 10%. Confidence in finding work in the next six months has remained stable.
Mike Fetters, graduate director at totaljobs.com, criticised the government for advising so many young people to pursue a university education – and said of the results:
“Overall, the picture for graduates is tough, but there are signs of improvement; we are seeing some growth in the number of job available. This is little comfort, however, for those that took the advice of successive governments and invested in their education only to find themselves forced through necessity to claim the dole and fail to be invited to a single interview.”
And he had this advice for graduate jobseekers:
“With graduates recognising the importance of experience yet unable to get their foot through the door, it can seem like a vicious cycle. But there are some things graduates can do. The first is to maximise the power of your network and keep in touch with classmates, they might hear of an opportunity that you can take advantage of. If you’re able, get some work experience or charity work so that you can fill gaps in your CV and finally don’t be tempted to apply for all and every job. Think about what you want to do and tailor your CV and covering letter accordingly. Make every application count and understand how to stand out from your competition.”
*HOW IS YOUR JOB HUNT GOING?
How many jobs have you applied for – and how many interviews have you had? What’s the hardest thing about being a job-seeking graduate? Do you view your degree as a waste of money – or do you have faith it will pay off in the long-term? What advice would you give to today’s 17-year-olds considering going to university – is it worth the investment?
my advice to any 17 year old is look what other countries such as canada and auz want get a degree or even get a building trade and get the hell out of UK and Europe
I’ve lost track of the number these days, but well over 100.
Had 10 interviews (and from that 2 paid internships + some work exp)
My advice would be to get as much work experience as possible. During my second year at Uni, I spent my Christmas and Easter holidays doing 1 and 2 week placements at various companies, which increased my network and helped me learn valuable skills. I then chose to defer my final year, and spent the gap year doing various (paid) placements to help fill-out my CV.
I’ve just finished my final year, during which I did various bits of freelance work alongside my studies. I’ve got two job interviews this week, and have also been offered one position already. All because I’ve come out of Uni equipped with Degree knowledge AND a wealth of experience.
I’m a firm believer that passing a degree just isn’t enough. It’s the things you do alongside it, and the effort you put in to networking and gaining experience, that is really important.
I have been out of work since graduating in July 2011 with a solid 2:1 from a top ten uni in a traditional subject (history), I’ve applyed for well over 800 jobs and had only 10 interviews (and most of these were for non-graduate roles or short-term unpaid internships). I wasn’t expecting to find work straight away (I only had experience of light clerical admin and bar work when I graduated) but I expected to get something that would enable me to gain more relavent experience, even this has been near impossible.
Another great article, Tanya, well done. Any more stats knocking about that you’re aware of? Anything you can put out into the public domain is fuel for the fire.
And here’s an extra one: the DWP admits that 1 in 5 of JSA claimants are graduates. They admit that they (diplomatically putting it) focus on non-graduates, the 4 out of 5. And they admit that these figures are likely to change over the coming months, to the detriment of graduates. When we read between the lines, it’s clear that the JobCentre’s well-known lack of any effective provision geared to graduates is a policy decision. The DWP has decided that failing 1 in 5 people by default is acceptable.
It’s time to convey to government how urgent it is that we get out in front of issues surrounding graduate aspiration and attainment and work on real solutions that build capacity in the national economy.
Though the jobs outlook is dire, there are things individual graduates can do to help themselves, as Keri says.
My consultancy provides career counselling and job search support services. What MANY of our grad clients tell us is they’re wasting most of their time applying for graduate training schemes with the large companies and searching the job boards for jobs.
Graduate training schemes are ultra-competitive; don’t bother with them if you’ve grounds for believing you’re not big employers’ dream candidate. Be selective with the job boards, try them out but only maintain contact with the very, very few that send you details of relevant jobs and arrange interviews for you.
As Keri said, you need to put lots of effort into networking. Ideally you should have started to build your network and to keep in touch with it regularly (eg by sending small snippets of personal news, non-controversial jokes etc) from your first year at university, if not before. It’s never too late to start, though. Include in your contacts database anyone who would like to help (neighbours and siblings have contacts that might be surprisingly useful).
You also need to start thinking about yourself from the employer’s point of view. Employers recruit staff to solve problems for them (eg they need someone to carry out research or update the company web site). Which problems for which employers might you – with your skill set – solve? What words should you use on your CV to tell your target employers that you’re the answer to their prayers?
You’ll say – none of this advice is new. You’ll be right. If it were followed better, though, many grads would be saved the heartbreak of months of unemployment.
Definitely nearing the 100 mark. I graduated in July 2011 with a 2.1 in English Language and Literature from Liverpool University and so far I’ve managed to do unpaid volunteering opportunities which haven’t led to anything more.
I’m lucky enough to be working part time in a shop which brings in some money but I am feeling bitter about being a graduate in these times. I hope my degree pays off in the future, but I don’t know how long I’ll have to wait to reap the benefits. I’ve applied for bar jobs too, only to be told that I am “over qualified”. I find this ridiculous. I am willing to work full time, yet keep getting turned away. For now, I’ve given up on trying to forge a “career”, right now I need to bring in money.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but looking back, if I’d have known that at 22 years of age, I’d be in the position of having no financial independence I would have gone straight into full time work and worked my way up. This country is doing very little (that I am aware of) to help graduates and I am seriously considering leaving the country.
We just had elections in London.
Did anyone make this an election issue?
Is anyone making this a political issue?
Are graduates so disillusioned that they’re disconnecting from the political solution makers?
Good point David. The Jobcentre fails many people with illnesses too. Being a graduate and sufferer of a mental illness the responses I’ve received are: ‘wow good qualifications’ and ‘don’t you think you’ll feel better if you go back to work?’ (despite work stress being a factor in triggering my illness)I’ve been offered back to work schemes with only retail or database admin type jobs available. These sort of mundane roles don’t suit me and will not help my illness. There seems to be no provision for helping people into more skilled/fulfilling roles or understanding that an illness can prevent you from looking for or committing to job-and not because I’m financially better off on benefits- which is the main barrier in their opinion! This is both untrue and ignores the real barriers which is the illness itself and the difficulty in finding an appropriate role in a competitive market. I’ve found most ‘expert advisers’ for the Jobcentre to be totally clueless about the actual employment market and opportunities for those with a large gap on their CV due to illness. They just spout empty government rhetoric.
Hi Caitlyn, thanks for replying, very cogently argued. Can I ask what you’re ultimately looking to get into as a career? If you would like to run over things in a bit more detail outside of open publication, you’re welcome to get in touch through the Minerva Pathway website (click on my name, above).
Had a brief look at your Minerva Pathway web site myself and was much impressed by what you’re trying to do.
Hi David, my passion is writing but I don’t feel like I suit the media environment so I have thought about doing some freelance stuff but I’m not sure I have the confidence and persistence to do so. I’m interested in a communications role-newsletters, social media, website content-and ideally within a charity. I will email you as well.
@CareersPartnershipUK – Thanks, it’s early days but we’re aiming high. You’re welcome to get in touch by email if you wish; the contact form on the Minerva Pathway website drops straight into my email inbox, and I check it regularly http://minerva-pathway.org.uk/contact/
I’ve spent 18 months teaching abroad, prior to that I spent 6 months on the dole which was pretty soul destroying.
I’m coming back to the UK in July and I’m already dreading the thought of having to sign back on, and the horribly patronising, but essentially useless, staff at my local job centre.
The lowest point was when they “recommended” I attended a young jobseeker’s training day on “How to get your first job”. I outright refused- by this point I was nearly 22, had a degree and had been working since the age of 14!
They then said I had to attend a similar course that was for getting back into the job market. This was at some awful out-sourced training centre, 15 miles away, and was a 6 hour day on job hunting and writing CVs. The first activity we did was how to use Google search to find a job! If my benefits weren’t dependent on my attendance, I would have walked out there and then.
During a break, the course leader actually apologised and said it must be really boring for me as the course wasn’t designed with graduates in mind.
Sorry for the rant!
Hi Laura, you’re very right that JCP/DWP have no viable offering for graduates at the moments. I’d be interested in hearing a bit more about your experiences of dealing with the JobCentre, if you’re willing, to provide more fuel for the fire as I build a case for developing better provision. Drop me a line using the contact form on the Minerva Pathway website (click on my name, above); your message will drop straight into my inbox.
Disillusioned with the idea of a degree at all.
Graduated with a high 2;1, heaps of extra-curricular activities, and even a University achievement award. Spent my first 6 months applying to hundreds of jobs with barely any response and only one interview, before taking an unrelated and soul-destroying job just to get some corporate experience.
I am underqualified for jobs I want, and overqualified for non-grad positions I apply to in desperation to keep some money in the bank. I graduated two years ago, I am seriously in debt for the ‘honour’ of it, have no related or long-term employment hopes, and am potentially about to move back home. Some degree.
My advice? Do an apprenticeship. I wish I had.
I graduated in 2010 with a 2:1, and since then I’ve not been able to find anything beyond the odd bit of part-time temp work. Being disabled doesn’t help – the job centre were utterly useless and couldn’t deal with the fact that my disability limits the hours I can do, and while I’m qualified to do some jobs, being a graduate doesn’t qualify me to do *every* job they can find (after discovering that I have a EFL teaching certificate, I was told to apply for a full-time position teaching GCSE science).
As the gap on my CV gets bigger, I’m starting to despair of ever getting a job that will give me enough to live independantly and repay the debts from my MSc
@Lisa
“My advice? Do an apprenticeship. I wish I had.”
i was thinking about doing an apprenticeship before i was going to do my degree, but now when you look at apprenticeship i have read on other forum boards that they last about 6 months supposed training then 6 months work then the company let you go because they have had there funding for that apprenticeship and can get another poor mug in.
so apprenticeship are not safe in my opinion
Why do graduates think the job centre should be able to produce graduate level work? They have the jobs that the employers send them, it is not their fault that employers after graduates never seem to use them. (although a campaign could be done to get them to.) I do find the job centre a depressing place, I spend longer waiting in the reception than I do with my so called job adviser. I also being over 25 now am no longer concidered what the goverment call youth, so I was told I am not yet alegable for extra support or even work experince till I have signed on a lot longer, despite only graduating last year.
Frances – you’re right that the JobCentre can only work with the job database that they have, but that’s a good reason for JCP/DWP to up it’s game significantly, not an excuse for failure.
As you’ve clearly experienced yourself, JCP has no provision structure in place for graduates, full stop. Their own figures show that 20% of JSA claimants are graduates, so that’s 1 in 5 people they fail by default. This shows very clearly that the demographics of people who are unemployed are envolving. So we need to highlight to the DWP that there is a very strong case for significant structural improvment in how JobCentre Plus delivers support for individuals who don’t fall into conventional low-skill brackets.
I sympathise, too with your attendance experiences. I’ve spent an extended period of time unemployed and dealing with the Kafkaesque conditions in JobCentres, which is one of my prime motivations for developing the Minerva Pathway project. Feel free to drop me a line if you would like to tell your story in more detail. It’s time to show that talent and aspiration matter, for our society, for the regions, and for our economy.
I think all jobs advertised in newspapers, on recruitment websites etc should have to be advertised in the job centre. Including graduate schemes. A fairly simple rule that would have a real impact on job accessibility for all groups jot just grads.
That’s an interesting idea, Kim, worth thinking about.
Assuming it’s something that can be brought into practice (which would need a change in the law, I think) there would be some practical issues around implementation, though. Foremost is that some employers will be reluctant to deal with the JobCentre; they will be aware that the JCP process is very red-tape-heavy and targets-driven, and they may be afraid of find that a large number of unsuitable candidates are required by Jobcentre officers to apply for a given job.
I graduated in 2010 and gave applied for around 1300 jobs and have had around 60 interviews. Last week I received a phone call offering me a full time job. Salary is £14k.
When I was still eligible for Jobseekers, I was told to remove my degree and masters from my CV by JCP as it was putting employers off hiring me apparently. It didn’t work as in interviews the employer immediately saw an unexplained 5 year gap on my CV… Useful advice there.
Since then my girlfriend, who I live with, got a minimum wage job at 20 hours a week, so for the last 6 months I have been ineligible for any Jobseekers or support from JCP. The overdraft is now spent and I still haven’t had a ‘career-job’ interview.
I did find a bar job, but the current job market for young people meant I was open to a lot of abuse. Often underpaid, forced to work 80hour weeks or be fired, shift changed last minute and when I complained told to ‘F Off’ and that I was ‘replaceable and worth nothing’. They have now not paid me my final months wage. Back to being unemployed and ineligible for Jobseekers.
The time of the year when you’re looking for a job is very important too. I know there are more jobs on the market every autumn, for example and the hardest months to find a job in are january and february since it’s a numb time for most of the businesses.
geodude – that’s terrible. If an employer told me to ‘F off’ I’m afraid I would punch him. I don’t know if that would land me in trouble but I can’t stand rude people.
Geodude, that’s terrible. If you have a contract there are things you can do about it, like report them to the police or other insistution that’s suitable to take action against their abusive behaviour. But since you allowed this kind treatment, I’m guessing you don’t have a contract… right?
Before I got hired at a marketing company,I applied for more than 100 hiring ads.I got an interview for 15 of them.Not to say that I got the job after 5 months of looking.