BBC Information
After making use of for greater than 600 jobs, college graduate Caitlin Morgan nearly felt like giving up hope of discovering employment.
Simply as she was changing into demotivated, the 23-year-old’s persistence was rewarded as she was provided a job as a trainee accountant after her 647th software.
However after 18 months of job searching, Caitlin was left questioning if going to school for 4 years and getting a level was price it.
Newest analysis from the Institute of Scholar Employment reveals competitors for graduate roles is at a “report excessive” as estimates prompt there have been 1.2 million functions for 17,000 graduate vacancies final 12 months.
Setting herself a goal of sending two functions a day, Caitlin was instantly rejected 150 occasions with out suggestions and didn’t hear again from 271 different functions.
She mentioned: “I put a lot effort into my functions and a lot time that once I did not hear again from them that I simply puzzled what made my software undeserving of suggestions?”
Caitlin accomplished a 12 months in business as a part of her finance and accounting diploma at Swansea College and hoped it might assist her stand out when making use of for roles.
As an alternative, she has a spreadsheet full of rejections courting again to September 2023.
“I labored onerous for my diploma and had expertise so was pondering, was it price it?
“There was a interval the place I used to be feeling fully demotivated and did not consider in going to school or getting levels.”
Caitlin thinks using synthetic intelligence (AI) by corporations as a part of their filtering course of may very well be a cause why she didn’t get very far in some functions.
She mentioned initially her CV was not written in a means that may very well be learn by a resume screening programme known as ATS (applicant monitoring system), the place AI reads CVs.
“I used to be simply getting straight rejections whereas after adjusting it, generally you would be invited to an evaluation after you have utilized,” mentioned Caitlin.
“Had I’ve recognized that from the get go, that might’ve helped me with my different functions.”
She reached the evaluation levels for 221 of the roles she utilized for and had 5 last interviews earlier than getting a job.
Newest information estimates a median of 140 functions had been acquired for every accessible graduate job in 2024.
The Institute of Scholar Employment spoke to 145 corporations that employed nearly 40,000 new college students and the physique mentioned functions had been the very best for 30 years – a greater than 50% rise from 2023.
The figures confirmed that for finance roles like those Caitlin utilized for, a median of 188 functions had been submitted for every function.
Following months of uncertainty after graduating final 12 months, Caitlin has been provided her first degree-level job and can transfer from her residence in Tintern, Monmouthshire, to London to grow to be a trainee accountant in September.
Getty Photographs“It was precisely what I needed and is providing all of the programs I wish to do in finance,” she mentioned.
“I simply wished it might’ve occurred a bit faster.”
Regardless of Wales having the bottom proportion of graduates within the UK workforce, the group that represents universities believes the demand for graduate-level expertise will develop by 2035.
“Whereas we recognise that as we speak’s job market presents actual challenges for many individuals, analysis reveals {that a} diploma continues to spice up lifetime earnings, profession prospects and private growth,” mentioned a Universities Wales spokesperson.
“College provides a transformative expertise that not solely advantages people but in addition strengthens our communities and economic system.”
1000’s extra college students are actually making ready to comply with in Caitlin’s footsteps this summer time.
Huw Williams is on the point of begin his function as Bangor College Scholar Union’s Welsh officer for 12 months, earlier than returning to training subsequent 12 months.
“I feel I will apply to be on a lecturers’ coaching course in historical past, a profession pathway I’ve at all times been focused on,” mentioned the 21-year-old.
Whereas Huw is aware of what the following 12 months appears like for him, the long run just isn’t so clear for fellow Bangor graduate Alaw Simpson.
The 21-year-old is returning residence to close by Anglesey the place she hopes to search out her first graduate-level job.
She mentioned: “I wish to transfer on from training and take a look at one thing totally different.
“It’s a fear as a result of it may be very tough to search out skilled jobs nowadays.”
Recruitment consultants have mentioned many employers now concentrate on angle and private behaviour.
“Getting your first job post-education is the most important step since you won’t essentially have a number of expertise,” mentioned James Fortnam of Robert Half Recruitment.
“I feel there’s a number of noise with employers with a sheer variety of candidates for a chance, so it is actually tough for purchasers to whittle that down.
“It is actually necessary candidates tailor their CV to the chance.”
Mr Fortnam has mentioned some corporations use know-how to assist assess candidates’ expertise.
“Firms will use software program instruments to match any individual’s CV to the job,” he mentioned.
“As a result of they will not have had large volumes of expertise, usually a number of graduates generally seem decrease on that matching capability.”
