Researching roles
Once you’ve figured out the type of company you want to join, you’ll then need to research into the roles available. To assist with this, here are some of Hannah Salton’s recommended resources for finding out about potential careers and firms:
Times Top 100 and Guardian UK 300
Publications like these are great for listening out the most popular employers that students want to work for. Be mindful that these rankings are normally based on student perception e.g. which employers undergraduate students pick as their preferred employers, rather than an objective analysis of the best graduate jobs.
You can use LinkedIn to research into the employers that graduates from your university and course tend to join, as well as the roles they take on. If you find an employer that you like the look of, you can then use the LinkedIn “similar companies” search function to find similar companies/options. Use this for inspiration, but don’t restrict yourself too much: just because an alumnus from your course hasn’t previously joined your preferred employer doesn’t mean you won’t have a chance.
Job boards
Search online for graduate jobs in your chosen fields. Be mindful that job adverts can sometimes (often) be confusing, particularly if you have no experience working in the relevant industry. Don’t be put off by complicated language or unfamiliar acronyms; it’s ok if you don’t understand the detail in job descriptions, especially when you’re new to researching.
Graduate specific job sites
Graduate job platforms such as BrightNetwork.co.uk and Prospects.co.uk can provide useful points of reference. Many of these will compile employment opportunities that are listed throughout the resources mentioned above. Try and drill down into less obvious employers too, by using niche job boards; there are specific job boards for all kind of focuses, for example AngelList for start-ups. You can also filter by criteria such as location, for example if you’re looking for jobs in a specific region.
Visit www.hannahsalton.co.uk/blog for more information, as well as a range of unique tips and insights relating to the City recruitment process.