A survey by www.careermap.co.uk into graduates and the struggles that face them in the current job market has found many feel they are rushed into a career decision. Around 2,400 UK based graduates took part in the survey, who are either studying at university or have completed university and are now looking for a career.
The survey uncovered intense competition for graduates trying to secure job positions, coupled with tedious online assessments as part of applications for jobs. As a result many graduates are beginning to fear leaving university and starting the hunt for a career. The job market is tough for students and graduates across the UK, with 68 per cent claiming they feel ‘demoralised’ and ‘demotivated’ from endless graduate job applications. 80 per cent go onto explain how the lack of feedback from companies, endless rejection emails and unclear application guidelines can lead to a vicious and frustrating cycle.
Around 45 per cent of graduates who took part in the survey noted feelings of extreme stress, pressure and uncertainty on which pathway is best suited to them. More so, 75 per cent of respondents claimed they are willing to take on any job in any sector, despite disappointment in the job not meeting career and salary expectations.
Unsurprisingly, the pandemic has caused an enormous build-up of graduates all competing for the same positions. A staggering 7 in 10 respondents (70 per cent) said they are being forced in a career direction they are unhappy with due to the endless number of rejections they have received. Around 45 per cent now fear applying for graduate jobs in different sectors to the one they have graduated in will create an unlevel playing field, leading them to remain jobless.
Over half (57 per cent) of the respondents said they feel as if their academic accolades don’t count for anything when applying for jobs. With 41 per cent fearing a change in career direction could lead to slower career progression and will be setting them up for further failure, leading them to feeling unfulfilled in their work life.
Factors respondents feel limited them from securing job positions post university include:
1. A lack of feedback on applications and interviews from employers
2. Lacking experience needed in a particular sector
3. No clear guidance on application forms and assessments
4. A saturated job market, making competition fierce when applying for jobs
5. Academic achievements having no weight when applying for jobs
“More so than ever, we are seeing so many highly, skilled graduates, who are fresh out of university and eager to get stuck into a career, failing to secure a job,” said Simon Bell, founder of www.careermap.co.uk. “This then leads to graduates often feeling deflated after numerous job rejections. However, experience in any industry will lead to the development of skills. It is no secret that there is a great deal of competition out there, with employers stating record high numbers of applications for graduate jobs. My advice would be to talk to recruiters in the field of graduate jobs. So often, little changes to the wording of CV’s, cover letters and online assessments can make a world of difference and help to graduates to secure a job.”
