Graduate Career Tips
News
Top Tips for Recent Graduates
Thursday, 9 July, 2026We know that graduating from university can be a rollercoaster of emotions. At BSU, we’re committed to being there for our graduates and that’s why our Employability Coaches have compiled this list of helpful tips to guide you through your next steps.
From making plans to staying in touch, graduating is just the beginning of your next exciting journey.
Graduate Support Unit & Careers
Get yourself signed up to the (GSU). This has been specifically set up to help you transition confidently into life after university. Whether you’re looking for career advice, job opportunities, or guidance on further study, the GSU provides up to 15 months of tailored support after graduation to help you succeed.
Did you know you can continue to engage with the BSU Careers team? Support is available for three years after graduation, including coaching, CV and application help, and access to digital resources through .
There Is No Perfect Decision
The decisions you make about your career won't be perfect, and that's ok. Career decisions are less about finding the perfect path or making permanent choices, and more about choosing your next step. Careers aren't always linear. It's normal for them to change and evolve over time, just like your interests, values and goals. Remember that a decision that doesn't work out the way you hoped could still be an opportunity to learn, develop skills, and gain an understanding of what direction you want to take next.
Don’t Wait to Feel Ready
Apply even if you don’t meet every requirement, job descriptions are often a wish list rather than a strict checklist. If you meet around 60% of the criteria, you’re still a strong candidate. Too often, we’re overly critical of our own skills and experiences, leading us to rule ourselves out before an employer even has the chance to see our potential. Don’t self-eliminate, let the employer decide.
Be Open to Opportunities
Being open-minded doesn't have to mean changing your goal. Being open-minded could strengthen your search strategy by helping you identify a wider range of opportunities that could help you move forward. This could be exploring a new industry, looking for roles that are adjacent to what you originally set out to find, or considering any unexpected opportunities that might come your way. Be curious and ask yourself, 'What could I gain?'. Could I develop transferable skills, make new contacts, or is this a chance to try something out?
Treat Your Job Search Like a Project
Be methodical in your approach, create a spreadsheet to track where you’ve applied, deadlines, application stages, and outcomes. Include a section for feedback so you can keep improving each application.
Most importantly, use it to recognise your progress. Being shortlisted or invited to an interview are real achievements, so take the time to acknowledge and celebrate these milestones along the way.
Build and Use Your Network
Connecting with others can be a great way to uncover opportunities, particularly in industries where roles are not always formally advertised, or you're thinking about freelancing or starting your own business. Even a short conversation or an email exchange could be a valuable research tool for gaining insights into your career ideas and what you could do to help you get there. Your network can include different people who could support you, such as your course mates, lecturers, BSU Alumni, family, new industry contacts, and colleagues from volunteering or work experience. This could be a helpful resource.BUI
Develop a Strong Personal Narrative
Don’t let the question “Tell me about yourself” throw you off. Have a personal pitch ready that clearly outlines who you are, what motivates you, the skills and experiences that have shaped you, and any passion projects or hobbies you are into. Be intentional about what you include, focus on the details that are most relevant to your audience, and make sure everything you share links back to the role or organisation, especially when you answer this within an interview context.
Build Experience Creatively
Be proactive in how you build experience after graduating, especially if you’re in a creative field. Seek out opportunities such as freelancing, volunteering, collaborations, or developing your own portfolio projects. These experiences not only strengthen your CV but allow you to continue honing your skills, exploring your creative voice, and building confidence in your work.
For further support look at Emerge and Go from Zero.
Resilience, Reflection & Continuous Learning
As you move through your career, there will be successes to celebrate, as well as challenges or setbacks along the way. For example, an unsuccessful interview, a project that doesn't go to plan, or navigating a changing job market. Resilience is more than just being able to cope when things don't go the way you hope. It's about pausing to reflect, being open to learning, and identifying what you might do differently next time to help you move forward. It can take time to build, but it's a valuable lifelong skill that encourages continuous learning to help you adapt and grow.