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EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
What exactly is a
graduate job?
You hear it a lot. But what does the phrase ‘graduate job’ actually mean? A graduate job can be defined in several ways but here are just two: it can be a job for which a degree is the minimum entry requirement or a job that a graduate does.
direct Fact The entry route
file
What is direct entry?
What are they?
■ Often single vacancies with immediate start dates
■ A structured period of training lasting between one and three years ■ There are general management schemes where you move around the business and then specialise ■ There are functional schemes where you specialise from day one, for example HR, IT and supply chain management
Who offers them? ■ Companies of any size and sector ■ Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) recruit significant numbers of graduates. These firms make up 99% of all UK private-sector businesses ■ In some sectors SMEs dominate and so direct entry is the route in. For example, within public relations, digital marketing and the environmental sector
When and how to apply? ■ Apply after the spring vacation so you could start after your exams ■ The recruitment process is likely to involve a CV or application form and an interview
Where to find vacancies? ■ MyCareer, our vacancy job board: mycareer.nottingham.ac.uk ■ National job sites, LinkedIn, national and specialist press sites, industry specific job boards, recruitment agencies ■ For links to graduate vacancies visit nottingham.ac.uk/careers/gradvacancies ■ For specialist job boards see our Types of Jobs pages nottingham.ac.uk/careers/typesofjobs
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Graduate Fact training file schemes
Who offers them? ■ Companies across a range of sectors including the public sector, accountancy, engineering, IT and telecommunications, retail and pharmaceuticals
When and how to apply? ■ Half of the UK's leading employers now recruit graduates all year round ■ For employers with a single deadline, most are either November, December or January ■ The recruitment process is likely to include an application form, psychometric tests, interviews and an assessment centre
Where to find vacancies? ■ Attend our recruitment fairs and talk to recruiters directly: nottingham.ac.uk/careers/events ■ MyCareer, our vacancy job board: mycareer.nottingham.ac.uk ■ Graduate directories such as The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers nottingham.ac.uk/careers/gradvacancies ■ Use the vacancy sources listed under the direct entry route
