Exploring the UK Graduate Job Market - Session Insights and Trends

Explaining the GRADUATE Job Market Steve Norman Careers Consultant This session will start at 18:30pm (GMT)

Session outline Introduction to the UK graduate job market Broad options open to you after graduation How to research options and opportunities the importance of a job hunting strategy Understanding employers requirements

The UK graduate labour market Not just LARGE well known recruiters majority of graduates do not work for these employers Location is an issue highest volume of vacancies in London but also the greatest competition for jobs Some employers struggle to fill vacancies in regional offices Many graduate employers in the UK will recruit from any discipline/subject Large recruiters may recruit several graduates BUT may have significant high numbers of applicants Large recruiters tend to start their recruitment very early in the academic year

What is a graduate job? Likely to be a job where an employer prefers you to have a degree or other HE qualification? Likely to be a job where there is no expectation of a lot of relevant experience (that s a different job market) Your degree subject might be relevant but MANY graduate jobs advertised do not specify the subject of study EG An English Literature graduate and a Finance graduate could both be attractive to an Investment Bank or the Media Employers can be all sizes small, medium or large

What do our graduates do? Sector Edinburgh Scotland UK 15.0% 8.9% 10.8% Business and finance 14.9% 23.5% 18.2% Health 12.1% 12.3% 10.4% Retail and service 8.3% 4.5% 4.6% IT 7.7% 6.3% 5.8% Other occupations 6.2% 5.3% 5.6% Clerical, secretarial 6.1% 4.1% 7.7% Marketing and sales 4.9% 4.0% 6.5% Arts, design, media 4.7% 5.7% 4.5% Engineering and building 4.4% 4.0% 3.9% Managers 4.4% 4.7% 5.7% Other professionals 4.0% 5.0% 5.1% Legal, social and welfare 3.7% 7.6% 5.8% Education 2.8% 2.7% 4.3% Education and health support 0.8% 1.2% 1.1% Science Source: HECSU: Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey data (2016-17

What do our graduates do? Ideas? www.ed.ac.uk/careers/your-future/options/degree-options

Where to look? www.ed.ac.uk/careers/looking-for-work/graduate-jobs

Where to look? General Graduate Job Websites MyCareerHub Other graduate job websites eg Prospects, TargetJobs Other websites eg Indeed.co.uk International country specific websites (Going Global) More specialist job websites there may be specialist job websites too EG Inside Careers: Banking & Investments Professional Body websites Professional body associations can have useful careers information and can also help to identify employers in a sector and may link to job vacancies EG The Institute of Marketing, Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS) or the Specific Employer websites An employer you are keen to work for? Why not look on their website

Our Careers Information pages Will help you in your research www.ed.ac.uk/careers/your-future/options/occupations

Sectors + Employers In each sector (eg Finance) there are many employers (some easier to find than others): Small Easy to find ChallengingHard to find (not impossible)

Sectors and Jobs You can work in the FINANCE department of an Advertising Agency You can work in the FINANCE department of an Investment Bank You can work in the IT department of a Technology company You can work in the IT department of a Media organisation You can work in Scientific Research in a University You can work in Scientific Research in a Food and Drinks manufacturer What would you like to do and who would you like to work for which is the most important?

Develop a job hunting strategy EG Role and/or sector Know what you want or explore what you want Planning just like your studies you need to devote time to your strategy eg when to look/how often, where etc. Get the balance right study, job hunting, sports or societies, part-time jobs, having fun and relaxing Keep looking - large recruiters can be slow in their recruitment process (because of large numbers applying) but don t miss out on other opportunities whilst you wait!!! Quality v quantity of applications(get the balance right) Short term - medium term long term

Understand employers and what they are looking for Make your application count! What are they looking for? Read the job description and person specification (if they provide one) Careers/occupational information (eg our website) Professional bodies case studies, industry insights, what s changing in the profession etc Engage with employers on social media platforms (e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter) Attend employer recruitment presentations and events (e.g. Careers Fairs, employer presentations)

Understanding employer pressures Make it easier for them Recruitment is time consuming, expensive and difficult They re under pressure to get it right Your application might be read in just 60 seconds! It s YOUR job to make it easy for them to see you meet their requirements > no hunting for information or making assumptions Match your skills and experience to their requirements Tell them why you want the job and why they should recruit you Sell yourself!

Working Internationally - Resources MyCareerHub search opportunities by location MyCareerHub Resources Tab - GoinGlobal Country Guides inc Global City Guides and US City Guides (covers jobs, internships, employer directory) Our website - Regional guides www.ed.ac.uk/careers/your-future/options/international-experiences/regions

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