If you’re graduating in the class of 2025 or have recently finished uni and are looking for your first job, you might have noticed that it’s not as easy as you might have imagined.

That is confirmed by data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which found that last year only 60.4% of grads living in England, aged 21-30, were in “high-skilled” work. Another 26.4% were in medium or low-skilled employment, and 5.5% said they were unemployed.

In the U.S. the picture is similar with data from payroll services provider Gusto finding that the new grad hiring rate is now at 6%, leaving 40% of recent college grads as “underemployed”. That means they’re working in a job that doesn’t require a college degree, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

5 early career jobs to discover now

• Entry level Compliance Analyst, Fidarsi, London Area
• Graduate Surveyor, Ardent, Birmingham
• Graduate Buyer, Lime Talent, London Area
• Technical Graduate, Virgin Money, Leeds
• English Graduate, Ribbons & Reeves, Greenwich

A recent report found that 38% of employers avoid hiring recent graduates. Their reasoning? One in five has brought a parent to a job interview, 58% say recent college graduates are unprepared for the workforce, and nearly half of employers have had to fire a Gen Z worker.

So what can you do to ensure that the hiring manager interviewing you sees that you’re a great candidate for the job? 

Firstly, learn from the mistakes of others. Definitely don’t bring your mum along, for 53% of employers, graduates struggle with eye contact during interviews, with 47% saying they’ve had candidates show up to their interviews dressed inappropriately.

These are some easy fixes you can make to impress a hiring manager. But once you’re in the job, what else can you do to assure your manager you’re a great fit? 

Because the first 90 days of a new job are your opportunity to make a positive impression, adapt to the new environment, and build strong relationships, you should make a plan to succeed.

Create a 90 day action plan

As soon as you start your new role, schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss their expectations of you, and to understand your key responsibilities. Ask about short-term goals for the next 30, 60, and 90 days. 

Following that, create a 30 day, 60 day, and 90 day plan, where you’ll outline what you want to accomplish in each of the first three months. This gives you a roadmap to work off, and shows a proactive approach from your first day.

Prep for the transition from uni to work

It is important to keep in mind that the pace, accountability, and communication style in a work setting differ from what you were used to at university. Be patient as you learn to navigate these new dynamics.

During your studies, your schedule may have had more flexibility. But work will hold you accountable for meeting deadlines and expectations, so aim to establish a routine and manage your time effectively to keep up with work demands.

Be open to learning new things

You may have been at the top of your graduating class but work is a whole new environment and you should be prepared to learn new things. Equally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There’s no shame in asking for clarification on a process or for further information, especially if it’s your first job. In fact your bosses will like this, as it shows you’re engaged and eager to learn.

Understand that mistakes are also a part of the learning process. Instead of being discouraged if you slip up, focus on what you can learn from each experience, and make sure you don’t make the same mistake twice.

Asking for feedback is another way to make sure you progress. It shows that you’re committed to improving, and you should act on it too, making adjustments based on what you learn.

You can also seek out mentorship. If your company has a programme in place, this is a great opportunity to get facetime with more senior colleagues who are experienced and willing to offer guidance.

Ready to get your career started? From entry-level positions to internships, you can browse thousands of opportunities on the SkillReactor Job Board today