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Graduates

We know that many of you might be worried about how COVID-19 will impact your current job, further study or future career. We want to reassure you that the Careers and Employability Service will continue to support and guide all graduates throughout this period of uncertainty and beyond. If you want to arrange a time to speak with one of the team, please email careers@beds.ac.uk (Luton graduates) or bedfordcareers@beds.ac.uk (Bedford Graduates).

University of Bedfordshire Graduate Support Package

As well as ongoing support from the Careers & Employability Service, University of Bedfordshire graduates can also take advantage of further opportunities offered by the wider University of Bedfordshire graduate support package which includes:

  • 20% discount on full and part-time postgraduate courses (Masters)
  • Teacher training bursaries
  • Support with setting up your own business

For details: Graduate Support Package 2020 [PDF] 

As a graduate, you can arrange a time to speak with an Employability Adviser via Zoom to discuss career planning, career ideas or your career choices. Employability Advisers can also help with your CV, applications or preparation for an interview or assessment. If you would like to arrange an appointment, please email: careers@beds.ac.uk

For further information, please see www.beds.ac.uk/careers

You can register as an alumni to access our online job board Careersonline to find current, part-time, full-time, placement and volunteering opportunities.

Please note:

When you login for the first time, it is a good idea to edit your profile (select your profile from the top menu) so that you can opt to receive regular job updates via email should you wish to do so. You can specify the type of job updates you wish to receive such as part-time, full-time, graduate or voluntary work and those which are in specific sectors. You can also opt to receive updates from TARGETconnect which advertises graduate vacancies across the UK.

Please see our Graduate Career Guide [PDF] which includes resources to help you find job searching websites, graduate schemes, postgraduate study and much more.

Digital Guides

Social Media

Many employers are now using LinkedIn to headhunt for specific postions - make sure you get noticed by creating a professional profile before you leave uni - find out more: university.linkedin.com/linkedin-for-students

Videos

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the graduate job market and application processes has changed significantly from previous years, but you should not feel discouraged about the prospect of securing work. Watch the videos below to get updated on what industries are recruiting, how to prepare for video interviews and the best way to tackle online assessment centres.

Becoming a graduate in 2020

In demand industries - exploring your job options in other sectors

Preparing for video interviews

How to approach online assessment centres

Options as a graduate in COVID-19

Graduate scheme vs graduate Job – what’s the difference?

Considering further study?

Making graduate job applications

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting all our lives, and many people are worrying about what it means for their family, loved ones, and for their work.

Below you will find links to advice on how to manage your mental well-being and cope during times of uncertainty.

Finding Work & Work Experience

It is too soon to tell the true impact COVID-19 will have on future graduate employment. Various published articles have reported that SMEs have, or will be hit the hardest, whereas some larger organisations are still hiring using online and virtual platforms. Employability specialists SRS believe that there will be some recruitment freezes, and the duration of these will depend on how quickly organisations can bounce back.

We know as well that some industries are affected more than others. Hospitality, travel, leisure, media and journalism have been hit the hardest, but IT & technology, healthcare, public service, social work and the charitable sector are currently surviving.

It may take a little longer to secure the role you really want, especially if you are actively seeking work in a sector feeling the impact of COVID-19. Instead, look at what transferable skills you have that could be put to use in a temporary job, volunteering, or in another sector. This work is still valuable on your CV, and employers will acknowledge your drive, determination, and resilience when you reflect on this time in interviews and on applications.

Visit NextStepSupport – a new online platform that is designed to provide advice and guidance on career planning and job searching during this pandemic.

Register with us for Jobs

You can register as an alumni to access our online job board Careersonline to find current part-time, full-time, placement and volunteering opportunities.When you login for the first time, it is a good idea to edit your profile (select your profile from the top menu) so that you can opt to receive regular job updates via email should you wish to do so. You can specify the type of job updates you wish to receive such as part-time, full-time, graduate or voluntary work and also those which are in specific sectors.

Other vacancy sources

Webinars

Recruitment and employability experts SRS Recruitment are currently offering access to FREE webinars to support your job search and applications. Sign up and attend as many as you want to:

www.smart-resourcing-solutions.com/news-feed/2020/4/8/srs-free-webinar-series

Research companies and jobs

For any companies you are particularly interested in, look on their website to see if there are any webinars, or videos that give you an insight into working with them. Network with the people that ran the webinar, maybe through LinkedIn, to follow up and enquire about further and future opportunities.

Sign up to remote volunteering roles

Other options

  • Assessment Day Practice Tests - psychometric tests, assessment practice tests and video interview (some tests are free but you can also pay to upgrade)
  • Barclays life skills 
  • Internships and placements - some organisations are offering virtual internships and placements. Take a look at Graduate Prospects, TARGETjobs and Careersonline
  • Forage (formerly InsideSherpa) - learn from big name companies and set yourself apart from other graduates by completing a virtual internship.
  • LinkedIn Learning - free for the first month
  • Math centre was set up to deliver mathematics support materials, free of charge, to students and graduates related to specific courses
  • OpenLearn and FutureLearn provide free online courses to help you build professional skills and expand your knowledge from the comfort of your own home
  • OpenLearn everyday skills in Maths and English - courses to improve your Maths and English with these free online courses
  • The Skills Toolkit - free online course to boost workplace skills
  • TARGETjobs have some ideas for career friendly activities that you can do while social distancing

Applying for Jobs & Work Experience

Preparing a CV and a job application can take just as much planning and preparing as an assignment!

Visit our CVs, Applications & Interviews section for guidance, or contact the careers team at careers@beds.ac.uk for support.

For further information and example CVs, visit:

Organisations who are still recruiting will likely use video interviewing software, or virtual platforms to conduct interviews. Practice and preparation are important to ensure your best performance on the day.

To book a mock interview with the Careers team to help you practice, email careers@beds.ac.uk

Videos & Interactive Tools

Have a go at some practice video interviews without leaving your home! Login to Careersonline where you will find the link to access a range of practice video interviews. You can login with your student username and password until this expires, then you will need to register for an alumni account (via the link above). 

Further Study

Although having a Master’s qualification won't guarantee you a job, the government's Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2018 show that graduates and postgraduates had higher employment rates than non-graduates (Graduate Prospects 2020)

You can find further information via these links:

For some professions, a postgraduate qualification is required. You will find further information in our Postgraduate Study leaflet [PDF]

Additional resources about further study can be found at Careers & Employability Service

Your Career and COVID-19 FAQs

If you were employed and have lost your job due to Coronavirus, you could be eligible for financial support. Visit gov.uk to find out more.

If you are looking for work, visit the Finding Work & Work experience section of this page. You can also contact careers@beds.ac.uk to speak with an Employability Adviser.

The word “furlough” means a temporary leave of absence from work. It has been temporarily introduced by the government in response to COVID-19, and if put on furlough, you will stay on your employer’s payroll without working. More information can be found at Citizens Advice

If you are self-employed you could claim taxable income support worth 80% of your average monthly income, capped at £2,500 per month if you are adversely affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Visit CIPD for more information.

Take a look at the Citizens Advice for advice and guidance on contracts, pay, sick pay and parental rights and much more.

Further information on working and Coronavirus can also be found at Citizens Advice

Check with your employer whether they can apply for the Job Retention Scheme which pledges to pay 80% of staff waged for any staff furloughed by their organisation. Also consider seeking advice from Citizens Advice

Take a look at the Job hunting resources section of this page if you are seeking immediate work.

COVID-19 is impacting everyone, so don’t be afraid to mention its impact on any job or further study applications.

If you are, and have been able to support your family, neighbours and community during this difficult time, ensure you mention this on your CV, job application or application for further study. Contact careers@beds.ac.uk to speak with an Employability Adviser for advice on how to do this.

Also visit the Upskill and gain work experience during COVID-19 section of this page for some ideas.