Unemployed a year after graduation

What did you study at uni?

I have a 2:1 degree in politics from a Russel group university. I haven’t been able to land a job for almost a year since finishing university, I’ve applied for hundreds of positions from entry level to grad schemes to temp agencies and have been unsuccessful.

Most of my applications have been ignored, haven’t passed the interview stage for the few I manage to get (few of which have gone to oxbridge students instead - I checked LinkedIn) and a few were automatically cancelled due to corona.

I have over 4 years experience working in administration + customer facing roles (part time work during studies), I’ve gained voluntary experience in different political/charity roles throughout university and was active in societies. The last year has been spent working part time in retail and volunteering in my field.

I’ve had my Cv checked over by my university careers department and had it changed accordingly.

I don’t really know what other steps I can take to secure a job and I’ve lost motivation to keep applying.

Would really appreciate any tips to help!!

Are you applying for jobs that match your current skillset? Is it location that is making your job search more challenging? I would think with your experience you should be able to get an admin or project management job with relative ease.


There is undoubtedly really, really tough competition out there but you can't shy away from it, you have to be able to sell yourself above the competition. If you are thinking "those oxbridge grads are so much better than me" it will show in your interviews, the employer can't be confident in you if you aren't confident in yourself.

I have a 2:1 degree in politics from a Russel group university. I haven’t been able to land a job for almost a year since finishing university, I’ve applied for hundreds of positions from entry level to grad schemes to temp agencies and have been unsuccessful.

Most of my applications have been ignored, haven’t passed the interview stage for the few I manage to get (few of which have gone to oxbridge students instead - I checked LinkedIn) and a few were automatically cancelled due to corona.

I have over 4 years experience working in administration + customer facing roles (part time work during studies), I’ve gained voluntary experience in different political/charity roles throughout university and was active in societies. The last year has been spent working part time in retail and volunteering in my field.

I’ve had my Cv checked over by my university careers department and had it changed accordingly.

I don’t really know what other steps I can take to secure a job and I’ve lost motivation to keep applying.

Would really appreciate any tips to help!!

I have a 2:1 degree in politics from a Russel group university. I haven’t been able to land a job for almost a year since finishing university, I’ve applied for hundreds of positions from entry level to grad schemes to temp agencies and have been unsuccessful.

Most of my applications have been ignored, haven’t passed the interview stage for the few I manage to get (few of which have gone to oxbridge students instead - I checked LinkedIn) and a few were automatically cancelled due to corona.

I have over 4 years experience working in administration + customer facing roles (part time work during studies), I’ve gained voluntary experience in different political/charity roles throughout university and was active in societies. The last year has been spent working part time in retail and volunteering in my field.

I’ve had my Cv checked over by my university careers department and had it changed accordingly.

I don’t really know what other steps I can take to secure a job and I’ve lost motivation to keep applying.

Would really appreciate any tips to help!!