Golden advice from alumni on securing a graduate job

A university education opens doors to opportunities that can transform your future. Beyond academics, university introduces you to lifelong friends, shapes your identity, and offers valuable glimpses of the professional world to make your transition less daunting. By blending your studies with early career exploration, you can unlock your potential and build a clear path toward your dream job after graduation. Recent alumni of the University share pearls of wisdom needed to increase your chances of employability.

Plant the seeds early

Getting an early start on your career goals allows you to have a steady pace to reach your destination. By taking advantage of the diverse opportunities the University provides, ranging from internships to volunteering, you can seamlessly familiarise yourself with your chosen industry. Using this time to research roles and develop critical skills gradually will allow you to be well prepared for the job market.

Network actively and intentionally

Networking can feel daunting and unfamiliar, especially if you've never done it before. Ellyn Murakami, a psychologist who graduated from City St George’s last year, developed an effective strategy for networking that worked flawlessly. She attended pub quizzes and workshops for organisational psychologists and made meaningful connections. “I started meeting people in the industry wherever I could. Rely on your lecturers and cohort as the foundation of your network,” she advised. She set up informal interviews with people to discuss their career paths and asked them to connect her with other people. This expanded her network immensely, which ultimately helped her land a job.

Secure a mentor

One of the best decisions you can make as a student is to find a mentor. City St George’s has an excellent mentoring scheme which connects students to working professionals. Ellyn reflected on her experience of working with her mentor:

The scheme was a phenomenal experience that I would recommend to anybody. My mentor connected me with people at her organisation and people within her network. The team at the University pairs the mentors and mentees really well so I couldn't have asked for a better fit.

The mentors impart knowledge, share experiences, and guide you through a six-month one-to-one mentoring programme , providing beneficial insights about the industry.

Engage with the Careers & Employability team

Once enrolled at the University, you will have access to careers support for life. The team offers one-to-one career consultation, coaching, webinars, CV reviews, interview preparation, access to networking events and more. “While you should spend time on job applications, professional guidance develops you in less visible but highly valuable ways,” Ellyn added.

Master strategic cold messaging

Reaching out to unfamiliar professionals is a core part of the job search. While it is better to have a warm connection when approaching someone, that can't be always be guaranteed. When sending cold messages, instead of bluntly asking them for a job or a referral, be curious to know more about them. Offer to buy them coffee, request 30 minutes of their time and ask about their professional journey. Keep it brief and always send a polite follow-up email.

Stay flexible regarding your ‘dream job’

While targeting an ideal entry-level role is natural, focusing exclusively on a single position can mean missing other excellent opportunities. Aminata Jawara, a scientific officer who studied MSc Global Health Infection and Immunity  at City St George’s shared:

Don't focus only on getting the perfect job immediately. Sometimes your first opportunity is simply the starting point that allows you to develop the skills and experience needed for the next one.

Quality over quantity

Whether applying for placements or submitting job applications, always get straight to the point. Hiring managers or their HR teams have to get through hundreds of candidates, meaning your application needs to be flawless. Frankie Shepley, a City Law School student who applied for 25 pupillages and got selected for a few of them, said: “Be incredibly concise, don't waste their time. Make sure to avoid silly mistakes like grammar and punctuation since that gives them a chance to bin your application.”

Remember the basics

Most candidates know the fundamentals in theory, yet many overlook them in practice. This includes having a professional photo on your LinkedIn, researching the company you're interviewing for and using the STAR method , among others. Sticking to the basics helped Thomas Manzaroli, a student of the law conversion course, stand out to the recruiters at Revolut and land a job within ten days of graduation.

Focus on developing as a person and not just academically

While it may seem that doing well in studies and applying for jobs will help you land one, employers are looking for some personality too. “Make yourself an all-rounded person, broaden yourself out, pursue hobbies and things that you love. This will allow you to have more to talk about in your interviews and make you memorable,” said Thomas. Even having a part-time job during your studies can be portrayed as a strength if you know how to do it correctly. “Working on things that seem unrelated to your field still show organisational skills, marketing and communication,” he added.

Don't compare yourself to others

Every person is on their own journey. We all have different personalities and experiences that shape how our lives turn out. While it is very easy to compare yourself to your peers since you’re all in the same boat, it's rarely the healthiest approach to job searching. Focus on self-improvement, learn from your mistakes and trust that the right opportunity will come with consistent effort.