The Student Room Group

Can’t get a job anywhere as a grad

I just graduated with a First in Computer Science and I literally get rejected everywhere even 25-27k jobs it’s so disheartening.
Reply 1
Original post by manumontero
I just graduated with a First in Computer Science and I literally get rejected everywhere even 25-27k jobs it’s so disheartening.

Why are you being rejected? Have you asked? Employers are not looking for people who are good taking exams and writing assignments which are the skills you develop at university. For software jobs, they are looking for people who can programme proficiently in a computer language they require. Can you do that? They are also looking for problem solving skills - did you do any projects where you demonstrated that? They are also looking for team working, time management etc etc. Do your applications reflect any of those skills?

In the world of education, to progress to the next stage, all you have to do is do well in an exam. In business this counts for nothing. What they are looking at is what you bring to the table and how are you going to make the business more profitable through the skills you bring.
Reply 2
Original post by hotpud
Why are you being rejected? Have you asked? Employers are not looking for people who are good taking exams and writing assignments which are the skills you develop at university. For software jobs, they are looking for people who can programme proficiently in a computer language they require. Can you do that? They are also looking for problem solving skills - did you do any projects where you demonstrated that? They are also looking for team working, time management etc etc. Do your applications reflect any of those skills?
In the world of education, to progress to the next stage, all you have to do is do well in an exam. In business this counts for nothing. What they are looking at is what you bring to the table and how are you going to make the business more profitable through the skills you bring.


Most of the rejection letters/emails I have received say that it’s too early in the stage to give feedback, however there were two that did say they were moving forwards with other candidates but encouraged me to keep developing. I have experience, and it’s in my CV. I know there’s definitely something I’m doing wrong but I don’t know what tbh. Maybe get practical certifications will help?
Reply 3
Original post by manumontero
Most of the rejection letters/emails I have received say that it’s too early in the stage to give feedback, however there were two that did say they were moving forwards with other candidates but encouraged me to keep developing. I have experience, and it’s in my CV. I know there’s definitely something I’m doing wrong but I don’t know what tbh. Maybe get practical certifications will help?

Are you applying for jobs through recruitment agents? Graduate recruitment schemes aren't the only way to get jobs and frankly a minority of companies are big enough to be able to offer a structured graduate training programme. Most companies just recruit directly from the market.

What you need to realise is that companies are looking for skills and knowledge. Simple as. And you need to be able to demonstrate these skills. Certificates are useless because all they show is that you can pass a multi-choice quiz. Do you have a website? If not, make one? Do you have a profile on Github with your projects for people to look at? Make one. Start writing some code to show off. Blog about it. Create videos. Become your own advert. And then put links to these sites in your CV and on your applications. What makes you stand out?

Good luck!

PS - if you go through recruitment agents, make sure your CV has the same skills required as the job advert is looking for.
Reply 4
Original post by hotpud
Are you applying for jobs through recruitment agents? Graduate recruitment schemes aren't the only way to get jobs and frankly a minority of companies are big enough to be able to offer a structured graduate training programme. Most companies just recruit directly from the market.
What you need to realise is that companies are looking for skills and knowledge. Simple as. And you need to be able to demonstrate these skills. Certificates are useless because all they show is that you can pass a multi-choice quiz. Do you have a website? If not, make one? Do you have a profile on Github with your projects for people to look at? Make one. Start writing some code to show off. Blog about it. Create videos. Become your own advert. And then put links to these sites in your CV and on your applications. What makes you stand out?
Good luck!
PS - if you go through recruitment agents, make sure your CV has the same skills required as the job advert is looking for.


I hadn’t thought at recruitment agents tbh. I do have a GitHub with some projects, I do like the idea of making a website! Thanks for the advice it put it into perspective tbh!
Reply 5
Original post by manumontero
I hadn’t thought at recruitment agents tbh. I do have a GitHub with some projects, I do like the idea of making a website! Thanks for the advice it put it into perspective tbh!

Sounds like you could have a plan and way forward. It is hard to get jobs in computing because most companies want you to join with a certain level of base skill. This is in contrast to other roles where you can afford to learn on the job pretty much from scratch. Ironically, cyber security is one of those areas. Software dev though is highly skills and starting with nothing is just a massive drain on resources. So you need to show that you are not a complete novice and can think for yourself.

Good luck!
Reply 6
Original post by hotpud
Sounds like you could have a plan and way forward. It is hard to get jobs in computing because most companies want you to join with a certain level of base skill. This is in contrast to other roles where you can afford to learn on the job pretty much from scratch. Ironically, cyber security is one of those areas. Software dev though is highly skills and starting with nothing is just a massive drain on resources. So you need to show that you are not a complete novice and can think for yourself.
Good luck!


That makes sense as to why it is so hard to get there, I had never thought about it, I thought it was mostly like “other roles”. Interestingly enough I was planning on going for Cyber Security as well, but I think I’d need to do a Masters in that casez
Reply 7
Original post by manumontero
That makes sense as to why it is so hard to get there, I had never thought about it, I thought it was mostly like “other roles”. Interestingly enough I was planning on going for Cyber Security as well, but I think I’d need to do a Masters in that casez

Possibly but I've been to a few cyber days and they make a big thing of the fact people come into the industry with English, Law and Philosophy degrees. Cyber isn't as technical as most think.

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