Step 1: The Grad Job Journey | 5hyl33n's Blog
Welcome to my Graduate Job Journey blog.
My name is Shyleen, and I am a recent Chemistry graduate. As some of you may know, the path to this point was far from easy, but I made it through.
This blog will document my journey toward (hopefully) securing a graduate role. I’m not starting with interviews lined up or a polished success story, just uncertainty, questions, a desire to reflect authentically on the process and the goals I hope to achieve.
At present, I am exploring laboratory technician roles. These seem to be among the most accessible options for recent Chemistry graduates. Throughout university, the one constant for me was a strong interest in lab work, so it feels natural to begin here and see where it leads.
As always, thank you, TSR, for your unwavering support.
🤍
My name is Shyleen, and I am a recent Chemistry graduate. As some of you may know, the path to this point was far from easy, but I made it through.
This blog will document my journey toward (hopefully) securing a graduate role. I’m not starting with interviews lined up or a polished success story, just uncertainty, questions, a desire to reflect authentically on the process and the goals I hope to achieve.
At present, I am exploring laboratory technician roles. These seem to be among the most accessible options for recent Chemistry graduates. Throughout university, the one constant for me was a strong interest in lab work, so it feels natural to begin here and see where it leads.
As always, thank you, TSR, for your unwavering support.
🤍
Scroll to see replies
Reply 1
01/07/2025 | Application 1
Reading this post will probably make it clear just how inexperienced I am when it comes to job applications.
This particular job was that of an analytical chemist that required:
There were also numerous soft skills required.
Although I haven't physically done many of the techniques in the labs, I do have extensive knowledge on how it all works. I wasn't expecting theoretical knowledge to be enough, and I don't think it was because I got a rejection email within 24 hours. I'm not too bothered about the rejection because successfully applying in this instance was a bit far-fetched and it wouldn't have been the simplest commute. But what did bother me is that they said they do not give specific feedback for the rejection. I need to know where I am going wrong, otherwise I'll find myself with nothing but rejections.
I do think I need to be more strategic in where I apply though.
Reading this post will probably make it clear just how inexperienced I am when it comes to job applications.
This particular job was that of an analytical chemist that required:
•
A degree in chemistry
•
Proven experience performing classical wet chemistry techniques
•
Proven experience in instrumental techniques such as atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, UV/Vis spectrometry, Karl Fischer and polarimetry
There were also numerous soft skills required.
Although I haven't physically done many of the techniques in the labs, I do have extensive knowledge on how it all works. I wasn't expecting theoretical knowledge to be enough, and I don't think it was because I got a rejection email within 24 hours. I'm not too bothered about the rejection because successfully applying in this instance was a bit far-fetched and it wouldn't have been the simplest commute. But what did bother me is that they said they do not give specific feedback for the rejection. I need to know where I am going wrong, otherwise I'll find myself with nothing but rejections.
I do think I need to be more strategic in where I apply though.
Reply 2
Posting to subscribe. It def is frustrating when firms don't give feedback. Or when they don't even write to tell you you're rejected (as I'm finding with certain applications I've made 
) 
Onwards and upwards! Cheering you on
) Onwards and upwards! Cheering you on
Reply 3
Original post
by The_Lonely_GoatherdOr when they don't even write to tell you you're rejected (as I'm finding with certain applications I've made )
) I'm getting a feeling I'm already approaching this situation.
Reply 4
Is it normal to keep tweaking your CV while applying for jobs because, on rereading it, some parts sound horribly worded?
Reply 5
Hugs! If it helps, I think CVs are just a cringeworthy thing in general. I hate looking at mine 
Reply 6
04/07/2025 | Application 2
This particular job was that of an analytical chemist that required:
There were also numerous soft skills required.
I got rejected, but honestly, I’m not too disappointed. Looking back, I realised that my CV was far too simplistic and didn’t effectively highlight my skills or experiences. Over the past few days, I’ve been working on refining it, making sure it reflects my strengths more clearly and showcases what I can actually bring to the table.
I've been advised by someone in the industry to have 'perfect' versions of a few CVs for different roles. I think I will create two and send it across for feedback:
I’ll also send over my current CV, as I’ve already tailored it for a previous application and would appreciate any feedback on it.
This particular job was that of an analytical chemist that required:
•
A degree in chemistry
•
Experience in metal treatment
There were also numerous soft skills required.
I got rejected, but honestly, I’m not too disappointed. Looking back, I realised that my CV was far too simplistic and didn’t effectively highlight my skills or experiences. Over the past few days, I’ve been working on refining it, making sure it reflects my strengths more clearly and showcases what I can actually bring to the table.
I've been advised by someone in the industry to have 'perfect' versions of a few CVs for different roles. I think I will create two and send it across for feedback:
•
Analytical-based CV
•
R+D based CV
I’ll also send over my current CV, as I’ve already tailored it for a previous application and would appreciate any feedback on it.
Reply 7
First and foremost, congratulations on graduating. It wasn’t an easy path, but here you are with a degree in the best subject there is and in a position to land yourself a job doing something you love.
I think your plan of starting with applying for lab technician roles and seeing where it leads is a wise start. You should have more than a few options outside of work as a lab technician if it turns out it isn’t the right career path.
All the best for your job applications - it’s onwards and upwards from here.
I think your plan of starting with applying for lab technician roles and seeing where it leads is a wise start. You should have more than a few options outside of work as a lab technician if it turns out it isn’t the right career path.
All the best for your job applications - it’s onwards and upwards from here.
Reply 8
Great idea to have a few different CVs for different types of roles. Maybe I should do that too, hmmm... 
I think to a point yeah, when you're starting out you might tweak things as you go until you settle on one that seems to work 
Don't forget to make use of your uni's careers service - usually they provide support for graduate alumni for a certain period of time after graduation too and might be able to help with CV writing and so on!
Don't forget to make use of your uni's careers service - usually they provide support for graduate alumni for a certain period of time after graduation too and might be able to help with CV writing and so on!
Reply 10
Original post
by TypicalNerdFirst and foremost, congratulations on graduating. It wasn’t an easy path, but here you are with a degree in the best subject there is and in a position to land yourself a job doing something you love.
I think your plan of starting with applying for lab technician roles and seeing where it leads is a wise start. You should have more than a few options outside of work as a lab technician if it turns out it isn’t the right career path.
All the best for your job applications - it’s onwards and upwards from here.
I think your plan of starting with applying for lab technician roles and seeing where it leads is a wise start. You should have more than a few options outside of work as a lab technician if it turns out it isn’t the right career path.
All the best for your job applications - it’s onwards and upwards from here.
@TypicalNerd! I’ve seen you post a few times and had been meaning to say hello, so I’m glad you reached out. How have you been?
Thank you.
Reply 11
Original post
by The_Lonely_GoatherdGreat idea to have a few different CVs for different types of roles. Maybe I should do that too, hmmm...
It definitely saves time in the long run.
Reply 12
Original post
by artful_loungerI think to a point yeah, when you're starting out you might tweak things as you go until you settle on one that seems to work
Don't forget to make use of your uni's careers service - usually they provide support for graduate alumni for a certain period of time after graduation too and might be able to help with CV writing and so on!
Don't forget to make use of your uni's careers service - usually they provide support for graduate alumni for a certain period of time after graduation too and might be able to help with CV writing and so on!
Ah, that's a good point about the uni career service. I did forget.
Thank you.
PRSOM!
Yeah I think it's easy to overlook once you leave a uni but I think most do offer some level of continuing support for grads/alumni
Particularly useful I imagine for CV help/practice interviews and stuff I imagine
Can also check with your local library - I think often local/council career support stuff is organised through local libraries (albeit, often this is much more limited than what a uni careers service might be able to help with due to funding limitations
)
Yeah I think it's easy to overlook once you leave a uni but I think most do offer some level of continuing support for grads/alumni
Particularly useful I imagine for CV help/practice interviews and stuff I imagine
Can also check with your local library - I think often local/council career support stuff is organised through local libraries (albeit, often this is much more limited than what a uni careers service might be able to help with due to funding limitations
)(edited 10 months ago)
Reply 14
It’s wonderful to talk again. I do hope life is treating you well post-uni.
I’m about as alive and well as one can be after surviving second year and exceptionally bored (hence my return to TSR lol).
I’m about as alive and well as one can be after surviving second year and exceptionally bored (hence my return to TSR lol).
Reply 15
Original post
by TypicalNerdI’m about as alive and well as one can be after surviving second year and exceptionally bored (hence my return to TSR lol).
Well done for surviving second year. It's nice to have you back.
Reply 16
Dear Hiring Managers,
Please tell me if I've been rejected. It's actually less disappointing than no reply at all.
Thank you.
Please tell me if I've been rejected. It's actually less disappointing than no reply at all.
Thank you.
Reply 17
Yeah I hate this trend of would be employers just ghosting you altogether
Especially with how involved applications are these days...if you expect me to jump through all the hoops of tailored CVs, a personal covering letter, doing a bunch of tests and then if I'm successful in the first stage, a bunch of other stuff...at least have the decency to tell me if I'm not successful!
It feels really disrespectful of applicants' time honestly when they demand so much from applicants but do not return it in kind
Especially with how involved applications are these days...if you expect me to jump through all the hoops of tailored CVs, a personal covering letter, doing a bunch of tests and then if I'm successful in the first stage, a bunch of other stuff...at least have the decency to tell me if I'm not successful!
It feels really disrespectful of applicants' time honestly when they demand so much from applicants but do not return it in kind
Reply 19
Original post
by artful_loungerYeah I hate this trend of would be employers just ghosting you altogether
Especially with how involved applications are these days...if you expect me to jump through all the hoops of tailored CVs, a personal covering letter, doing a bunch of tests and then if I'm successful in the first stage, a bunch of other stuff...at least have the decency to tell me if I'm not successful!
It feels really disrespectful of applicants' time honestly when they demand so much from applicants but do not return it in kind
Especially with how involved applications are these days...if you expect me to jump through all the hoops of tailored CVs, a personal covering letter, doing a bunch of tests and then if I'm successful in the first stage, a bunch of other stuff...at least have the decency to tell me if I'm not successful!
It feels really disrespectful of applicants' time honestly when they demand so much from applicants but do not return it in kind
PRSOM - I couldn't have put it better myself.
Original post
by The_Lonely_GoatherdQuick Reply
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