Questions about job hunting are one of the most common types of query we deal with. Here are a few misconceptions we often find students asking us about.
Myth: Closing dates never change
Closing dates can absolutely change. Employers may extend a closing date if they haven’t received enough applications but, more commonly, they will close a job early. This is especially true of jobs within the NHS.
That doesn’t mean you should drop everything to apply for a job as soon as you see it. However, if you see your dream graduate job advertised with a closing date a couple of months away, it is worth working on that application sooner rather than later. It’s really helpful to inform yourself about what makes a great application and have draft CV/Cover letter/applications at the ready. You can then adapt and tailor these to the specific application rather than starting from scratch. (If you aren’t sure about CVs, cover letters or applications – check out our resources on MyFuture).
You could also get ahead of the game by using the advanced searching options in MyFuture to look at expired vacancies. So you can see what time of year particular vacancies were advertised so you are prepared.
It is also worth saying that employers don’t always tell us that they have changed the closing dates for a job we are advertising on MyFuture. So always double check the employer’s website.
Myth: MyFuture has every job
We do recommend MyFuture as the first place to look when you are job hunting. This is because we check every vacancy to make sure it is legitimate and has all the information you need to make a decision about whether you are interested in the opportunity.
Most of the vacancies on MyFuture are also uploaded directly by employers, often because they specifically want Bath students. Some will even use a specific application link that indicates you are from Bath or upload vacancies that aren’t publicly available elsewhere. So it is definitely the best place to start your search.
The trouble is we are never going to have every single job vacancy going. Occasionally we have had students complain that they missed out on an opportunity because we hadn’t advertised it! So we’d recommend using MyFuture as a starting point. Our get started guide for finding a graduate job covers key strategies you can use. But the bottom line is, if there is a specific sector or employer that you are interested in, do your research and find out where and when these jobs are advertised so you don’t miss out.
Prospects is a great resource for finding specialist job boards and professional bodies who might advertise jobs. Try looking at their sector and job profiles.
Myth: You can just give me a list of jobs to apply to, right?
Just like your Lecturers can’t give you a list of every source you should cite in your coursework, unfortunately we can’t give you a comprehensive list of every job that would be suitable for you or tell you which employers are recruiting. We also can’t give you a list of employers that offer visa sponsorship. (If you need help with job hunting as an international student, check out our previous blog post).
While Advisers might highlight particular roles, there are far too many jobs out there for us to know about all of them (see above!). In addition, it is important that you think about what you want from a career and ensure that the jobs you apply for fit that criteria.
However, what we can help you with is strategies. Check out our get started guide on job hunting in the first instance, or if you are struggling to even know what jobs are right for you – look at the choose a career one. And if you have questions or get stuck – we will be very happy to help you with your hunting strategies.
Myth: All the graduate jobs are gone by Christmas
The Autumn term is the busiest period for graduate recruitment but it is untrue that graduate jobs are only advertised during the Autumn term. Most of the roles filled before Christmas tend to be graduate scheme roles, but many of these do get advertised after Christmas too. Equally many graduate jobs get advertised as and when they are required so you will find these popping up throughout the year.
If you are concerned about finding a job, please come and talk to us and we will help to find the best strategy that works for your career aspirations.
You can also find out more about the difference between graduate schemes and graduate jobs on MyFuture.
Myth: I need to apply to every job I find
If you apply to enough jobs – eventually you’ll find success right? Well, we wouldn’t recommend pinning all your hopes to one job but we would certainly recommend quality over quantity.
Firstly, it’s important to properly research every job you are interested in. We know there can be a huge amount of pressure to just get any graduate job. But you don’t want to find yourself miserable in that job a few months down the line. Doing your research will also mean you can make your job applications more tailored which brings us to our second point…
You are much more likely to be successful in a job application if you have tailored it to the specific employer and role that you are applying for. Sending off fewer, well-crafted applications is likely to bring you more success than sending off lots of generic applications.
Final thought
We hope this helps clear up some common job hunting misconceptions. One theme you’ll see throughout this blog post is the importance of research. It is always worth spending time researching; whether it is researching where to find jobs, researching employers to get an understanding of whether the company is right for you or researching to tailor your application.
If you need further help with your job hunting strategy or have worries about how your job hunt is going – we are here to help
Check out resources and book appointments on MyFuture. For job hunting strategy, do book an Information Appointment - in these sessions myself and the other Information Officer can show you tips for job hunting and advanced techniques to find employers and opportunities.
Or contact us via careers@bath.ac.uk or 01225 386009
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