If you’re graduating this year, it’s hard not to feel slightly panicked. Everywhere you look, someone is saying the graduate market is “the worst it’s ever been”. Add in AI, redundancies, and scary news headlines, and suddenly finding your first job feels destined for failure.
But is it really all doom and gloom? Not quite. It’s just more competitive, and you need to approach it with a plan.
The graduate job market is tough, but it isn’t hopeless
Let’s be honest: entry-level roles are competitive because lots of people are applying. Employers can afford to be picky, and many graduates are applying for the same opportunities at the same time.
That doesn’t mean jobs aren’t out there. It means you need to stand out and apply smarter, not just harder.
If you’ve heard stories of people applying for hundreds of jobs with no interviews, it’s often because they’re using the same CV for everything, applying too broadly, or targeting roles that don’t quite fit their skills.
Don’t let AI headlines throw you off course
Yes, AI is changing the workplace. Some tasks are being automated, and certain junior admin jobs are evolving. But new roles are appearing too, and employers still need people who can communicate well, organise workloads, support teams, and solve problems.
The truth is that most offices still rely on human skills far more than people realise.
Your ability to build relationships, take initiative, and handle responsibility will always be valuable, especially in London’s fast-moving job market.
Be realistic about your first job (it’s not your forever job)
One of the biggest mindset shifts you can make is this: your first graduate job doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to get you started.
Plenty of people begin in a role that isn’t their “dream”, then move up quickly once they’ve got experience. Even a 6 to 12-month role can open doors, because employers love candidates who’ve already worked in a professional environment. Look for roles like office assistant, junior PA, HR administrator, recruitment coordinator, marketing assistant, operations assistant, or customer support roles within corporate settings.
These jobs build skills that transfer anywhere.
Your CV needs to show more than your degree
A degree is great, but employers want evidence that you can work professionally.
If you’ve done part-time work, volunteering, society leadership, internships, uni projects, or even event planning, those things matter. Don’t hide them at the bottom of your CV. Focus on what you actually did. Did you manage a budget? Handle emails? Organise a timetable? Deal with complaints? Work to deadlines?
That’s what makes you employable.
If you’re getting no interviews, change your strategy
If you’ve applied for 30 to 40 roles and heard nothing, it’s time to pause and adjust. Get some proper advice on your CV, how you’re approaching applications and the type of roles you’re applying for. Job hunting is a skill.
Recruitment agencies can be a huge help, especially in London. They often hear about roles before they’re advertised and can guide you on what employers are really looking for.
Temp work is also a smart option if you need to get experience quickly. It builds your CV, grows your confidence, and can lead to permanent opportunities once you’ve proven yourself.
If you want support finding your first role, we can help you access office-based opportunities across London and guide you towards a role that gets your career moving. Get in touch on 020 7870 7177.