Graduate Job Podcast

In the 110th episode of the UK’s number 1 career podcast, I have a very special guest returning to the show after a gap of 5 years. An innovative graduate scheme which offers a fast-track route into the field of mental health social work, it is, of course, the brilliant Think Ahead scheme. In today’s show, we explore Think Ahead in detail, looking at what the scheme is and how it is the best fast-track route into a career in mental health social work. We cover what the role entails and what you will be doing on a day to day basis. We discuss what Think Ahead look for from candidates and how you can stand out in the application process. We go over hints and tips for impressing in each stage of the process, from the initial application, through to how to make an impact in the video interview and role play, and the secrets for performing well in the assessment centre. We also delve into why it is absolutely is crucial to focus on Think Ahead’s 7 values and your motivations for why you want a career in mental hea

Hello and welcome to episode 109 of the Graduate Job Podcast, the UK’s number 1 careers podcast, and I have a great episode for you today, a company who you probably haven’t thought of applying to, who have £27 billion to spend over the next 5 years, yes you heard that correctly, £27 billion, with a B, and who have 7 different graduate schemes on offer, yes today I am joined by Highways England. In the show, we explore their 7 different graduate schemes in turn and look at what you need to do to impress at each stage of the process. We cover why personal development is so important on the scheme and the professional qualifications you will gain with Highways England. We discuss the streamlined application process and why you won't need a CV and cover letter, but you will need to focus on Highways England’s values. We delve into top tips and hints for passing each stage of the application process and finish with what to expect in the assessment centre and how to stand out from the crowd. No matter if you have

Welcome to episode 108 of the UK’s number 1 career podcast. And today we go transatlantic again in the search for the best job search advice on the planet, as I speak with bestselling author Lauren Herring, author of the new book ‘Take Control of Your Job Search!: 10 Emotions You Must Master to Land the Job’. In today’s episode we focus on that topic of emotions, those pesky things that left unchecked can hold you back and get in the way of you getting that dream graduate job. We explore fear, how it shows up, how to conquer it, and why you should think about the worst thing that could possibly happen. We discuss rejection, why it is part and parcel of looking for a graduate job, and why you shouldn’t take it personally. We delve into the topic of frustration and how you can overcome it, and also the issue of confidence and why you need to unleash your inner rock star. And we also explore why it is absolutely crucial to have self-compassion as you look for a graduate job, and why if you wouldn’t say it to a f

A big hello to episode 107 of the UK’s number 1 career podcast. And today we explore the topic of interviews, and specifically the small mistakes that people make in a job interview that can have big and bad consequences, as I chat with author Anne Baum. We delve into Anne’s new book and explore how you can make a great impression in a face to face interview. We explore 9 different key mistakes that candidates tend to make, so you can ensure that you aren’t making them. The face-to-face interview stage is the crucial part of the process, slip up here and you won’t be getting the graduate job, so this is an episode that you won’t want to miss! As always, you can find a full transcript and all the links from today in the show notes at www.graduatejobpodcast.com/mistake. MORE SPECIFICALLY IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: Why it is so important to perform well in an interview 9 key mistakes to avoid to ensure that you aren’t rejected Why being overconfident about your achievements is not the recipe for succes

Hello and a warm welcome to episode 106 of the UK's number 1 career podcast. It’s the beginning of the application process for graduate schemes, internships, vacation schemes and training contracts, and I have a beauty for you today. No matter who you apply to, for whatever type of scheme, you are going to have to do an online test, and increasingly, that test is going to take the form of a games-based assessment, and that is what we explore today, as I speak to Al Frater from Arctic Shores who are the leading provider of games based assessments, and who designed the PWC Career Unlocked games-based test. We will go into what games-based assessments are and why they are being used by graduate schemes. We will cover what you can expect in a games-based test and the types of games you can expect. We delve into how you can impress in them, and top tips for standing out from the crowd. We also explode some myths about games-based assessments cover why you shouldn’t believe everything that you read online. As alway

I’m pleased to announce that my ‘How to Get a Graduate Job’ course is now LIVE! This step-by-step course is designed to take you by the hand and guide you through the tricky process of applying for and getting a graduate job. I’ve been working on it full time for the last 5 months, and it is packed chock full of everything that you need to do to get on a graduate scheme. In this episode I lift the lid on the course and show you exactly what you can expect from its 8 modules, containing 23 video tutorials, and over 14 hours of content. I go through those 8 modules in turn and also cover the exclusive bonuses worth over £300 that I’m giving away in the first week the course is on sale, and why you need to snap them up before the end of September. The only link to remember from the episode today is https://howtogetagraduatejob.com/ MORE SPECIFICALLY IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: Who the course is for, and who it is NOT for? What is included in the course? Why you need it if you are applying for a graduate

Hello and welcome to the 104th episode of the Graduate Job Podcast, the UK’s number 1 careers podcast. The days of popping your CV in the post to apply for a graduate job are long gong, which is why you need to make sure that your online application is absolutely top-notch. The industry average is that 75% of people fail at the online application stage! Let that sink in…75%. That is an awful lot of people who aren’t getting over the first hurdle in their application for a graduate job. And an awful lot of wasted time and energy. But today that is going to change, as we are going to go through 5 rules you need to follow to ensure that your online application for a graduate job isn’t wasted, and so that it gets you through to the next stage of the process. We cover why you need to pay particular attention to the job spec, and know exactly what each firm is looking for. We explore why your unique selling points are so crucial and how you can pick out what they might be. We delve into why tailoring your applicat

Hello and welcome to the 103rd episode of the Graduate Job Podcast, the UK’s number 1 careers podcast. I have a cracking episode for you today, as I’m joined on the show by Dan Doherty, Recruitment Manager for global consulting and technology giant Capgemini. I have to warn you, it’s a longer episode than normal, coming in at nearly an hour twenty today, but there is a good reason for it, as we go deep deep down into exactly what you need to do to get a graduate job at Capgemini. We explore the different roles that they have available, from the Invent Accelerate Programme, through to direct entry for a host of technology and business specific roles such as cyber security and project analyst roles. We also explore all aspects of the recruitment process in depth and look at the key mistakes you need to avoid. We explore why Capgemini look to recruit from a broad range of universities, why the degree you studied matters less than you might think, and why you should definitely let them know about your side hustle

Hello and welcome to the 102nd episode of the Graduate Job Podcast, the UK’s number 1 careers podcast. And I’ve got a goodie for you today, I’m going to take you through the often-overlooked part of the interview process, strengths-based questions! Graduates are well versed with competency questions, and can give a STAR answer till the cows come home, but learning about and practising strengths-based questions are often overlooked, and that needs to change, and it will….today. In the show today I will walk you through what strengths-based questions are, and why you need to know how to answer them. We discuss why they have been growing in popularity and why that growth is only going to continue. We cover the types of questions you could face and also hints and tips for how you can answer them and also the interview itself. Its and all-round strengths-based interview masterclass. No matter where you are in your job search, if you have ever had a strength-based interview before, or never heard of them, this is a

Hello and welcome to the 101st episode of the Graduate Job Podcast, the UK's number 1 careers podcast. And I have a special episode for you today, with 2 big announcements. 1 relating to my upcoming course ‘How to Get a Graduate Job’, and one brilliant giveaway for you which I reveal at the end of the episode. In the show today I give you a sneak peek inside my upcoming course and give you a taste of what you can expect in each of the 8 modules. We cover why I’m releasing a course in the first place, and what the course involves. We explore each of the 8 modules in turn and why they will transform your job search and your life and will save you years of wasted applications. No matter where you are in your job search, if you have ever thought about getting help with your applications or not, this is an episode which you are not going to want to miss. Before we get started links and a full transcript from today can be found in the show notes at www.graduatejobpodcast.com/episode101. MORE SPECIFICALLY IN THIS EP

A big hello, to a very special episode, a milestone which has been 2051 days in the making, welcome to episode 100 of the graduate job podcast! It’s taken me longer than I would have thought to get here, and I wasn’t sure if I would at some points, but here we are. Today I will explore some the key things I have learnt over the course of these nearly 6 years and 100 episodes, and how you can put that knowledge to use in your search for a graduate job. I will cover the importance of taking the leap and starting, and how that first step is the most important. I touch upon imposter syndrome, and why it’s something that everyone has and how it doesn’t go away. I talk about how people will always help if you ask them, and why when the going gets tough you need to stick with it. Crucially I talk about why you should always look to learn from the knowledge and mistakes of others, and why it is important to follow your passions. No matter where you are on your job search, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. As

Hello and welcome to the 99th episode of the UKs number 1 careers podcast. In today’s episode I answer a listener question from Bruno. Bruno had been listening to episode 61 on how to get a graduate job with a 2.2. or 3rd and asked me the following question, ‘There are lots of companies who take a 2.2, but what about a third-class degree? Does that count as well? Or is there really no hope for someone who got a third-class degree?’ Don’t worry Bruno, there is always hope, and today I will take you through what you need to do to get a graduate job with a third. We will cover why first you need to take a bit of time to reflect on why you got a third, but importantly you need to understand that this degree classification does not in any way define who you are as a person, or what you will go on to do in your life. We look at why you need to focus down in your approach, and why graduate jobs and not graduate schemes will be the best way forward. Finally, we touch upon why experience is the key for your long-term

Hello and welcome to the 98th episode of the UK’s number 1 careers podcast. In today’s episode I answer a listener question from Jessie, who got in touch and asked me the following question. ‘I graduated 7 years ago but want to completely change the direction of my career. Am I too old to apply for a graduate job?’ A great question and one I will walk you through today. We will look at if there is indeed an age limit on graduate jobs, or if there is a time limit for how quickly you have to apply after university. We explore why work experience and skills are so key, and some of the key things you need to do to if you are thinking of transitioning careers. No matter where you are in your job search, still studying, or thinking of changing careers, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. As always you can find a full downloadable transcript and all the links from everything we discuss today at www.graduatejobpodcast.com/age   MORE SPECIFICALLY IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: Why age is no barrier to app

Hello, and a very warm welcome to the 97th episode of the UK's number 1 careers podcast. I have a very special episode for you today, an episode which has been 9 months in the making. Back in September, a listener got in touch asking about my coaching services to help with his applications for graduate jobs, and I’m pleased that today 9 months later, he joins me on the show to discuss how he got on. It’s not too much of a spoiler to let you know that he did really well, getting 3 jobs offers in this time. We delve into his thoughts, reflections and advice as a graduate going through the different application processes. We cover the importance of focussing down and why it so crucial to ensure that your CV is perfect before you start applying for graduate jobs.  We talk about his experience with online tests, and why you are wasting your time if you don’t put energy into practising this vital step. We explore practical hints and tips for video interviews, and key mistakes to avoid, and Jean shares his feedback

Hello and welcome to the 96th episode of the UK’s number 1 careers podcast, and I’ve got a cracking show for you today. The graduate job recruitment process is always changing, and a big recent change has been in the exponential rise in the use of video interviews instead of telephone interviews. In this episode, I’m joined by digital interview guru Paul Bailo and we explore everything you need to do to impress in a video interview. We cover why you need to think of yourself as the star of the show in a video interview, and why investing in a few cheap pieces of equipment can make all of the difference. We look at how 85% of a digital interview has nothing to do with what you say, but why you do need to pay close attention to the ‘Triangle of love’. We explore how to do a ‘digital handshake’ in your interview, and the tips and tricks to ensure that you finish the video interview on a high. Stay tuned to the end of the episode as well, as I reveal a brand new service that will be able to help you practice reco

Welcome to the 95th episode of the Graduate Job Podcast. Over the coming weeks students would normally be graduating and heading out into the world to start looking for a graduate job. This transition period from university to work is a stressful enough time, not helped often by the extra pressure placed on recent graduates from parents. Which is why this episode is dedicated to parents and how they can help their recently graduated kids find a graduate job. Get them to download it, download it for them if you have to, but try and get them to listen to it. In today's episode, I explore 8 key things that your parents need to do to help you as you try and get a graduate job. I cover why worrying and panic is not going to do anyone any good, and why your parents might be out of touch with the modern world of work and recruitment. We delve into why they should be thinking about your needs and not theirs, and why getting their chequebook out to fund a masters isn’t the answer. We look at what they can do to help,

Welcome to the 94th episode of the Graduate Job Podcast, the UK’s number 1 careers podcast. Today I take you through the tricky topic of how to deal with rejection when you apply for a graduate job. It’s a topic that you hope you aren’t going to have to deal with, but the simple fact is, at some stage you’re going to get the old ‘thanks but no thanks’ email, and you are going to need to know what to do when it lands through in your inbox. I take you through the 8 stages of dealing with getting rejected from a graduate job, from acknowledging exactly why it hurts, to why you really shouldn’t take it personally. To why you need to step back and be honest with yourself, and how you should go about doing this. I delve into why getting feedback on your performance is so crucial, and just as importantly what you need to then do with that feedback. In this episode I take you step by step through the process from anger and upset at the initial rejection to taking the learning and using it to super charge your graduat

Hello and thank you for joining me for the 93rd episode of the UKs number 1 careers podcast and boy do I have a cracker for you today. I’m joined on the show by a company who aren’t a household name, but whose products you will definitely have used. They are in the FTSE 100, are growing rapidly, and have some of the most exciting and international graduate schemes on the market today. They are of course packaging and recycling giant DS Smith. In this episode we delve deep into DS Smith and cover what exactly that they do as a business, and the types of roles they offer across their 3 graduate schemes. We look into the finance scheme in particular and its amazing opportunity to spend one-year placements working across Europe. We explore what you need to do to apply and the details of each stage of the application process. We cover how you can stand out from the crowd and what you can expect from the virtual assessment centre. No matter if you have already applied, or not even heard of DS Smith, this is an epis

Hello and welcome to the 92nd episode of the Graduate Job Podcast. In today’s episode I tackle a listener question, which is when is the best time to apply for a graduate job? Is it better to apply during your final year, or once you have graduated? In this episode I take you through the pros and cons of when you should start applying.  We cover when graduate schemes are open from, why applicants often underestimate the work required to apply for a graduate job, and why you need to think carefully about if you have capacity to apply for jobs whilst you are in your final year. I delve into some of the advantages of applying early, such as the skills and experience you learn from an early application, how it might reset your expectations about how difficult the application will be, and how it could be worth applying early if you don’t think you will get a 2.1. Finally, I explore why ultimately you should ignore any peer pressure and only apply for graduate jobs when you have capacity and are ready. No matter wh

Welcome to the 91st episode of the Graduate Job Podcast where this week we get niche and dive into getting a graduate job in the field of quality and regulatory affairs. I’m joined today by regulatory affairs expert Karandeep Badwal, we explore just exactly what quality and regulatory affairs is and why it is such a booming area for graduates. In this episode, aside from me repeatedly stumbling over the phrase ‘regulatory affairs’, we discuss the key skills you need to thrive in this area of work, why work experience is so crucial to starting your career, and the things you need to be doing now to get noticed and get your first role. No matter if you are already set on getting into regulatory affairs, or if you have never heard of the area before, this is an episode you should listen to as we explore topics such as how to use LinkedIn effectively, how to send effective cold emails and how to get noticed through volunteering and work experience which are relevant no matter what industry you are applying to. Th