Graduate Jobs Search: Wherever you are, we can help

It’s been a few months since graduation, congratulations again!

If you’re still searching for that first graduate job you’re not alone. Maybe you’ve been applying all summer without success, or perhaps you took well-deserved break and are ready to start fresh.

Wherever you are in your journey, now is the perfect time to get organised and purposeful, and the good news is, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Not ready to apply yet? Start exploring options

If you’re not quite ready to apply, that’s okay. Use this time to explore options:

• Research your options, visit Research your job sector, employers and job role to find how to research and understand different roles.
• See what your degree can lead to, explore What can I do with my degree? | Prospects.ac.uk for ideas linked to your course.
• Talk it through, book a Grad Futures guidance appointment on Careers Connect to talk through ideas and make a plan.

Ready to apply? Get organised

• Set up a new email address just for your job search. It helps to keep the process more focused and effective. 
• Sign up for job alerts. Save time and discover roles you might not have considered. Refine your preferences regularly as your search evolves.

Find more practical advice on the MyBrighton page: How to approach applications

Getting started with online job searching

Typically online job searches begin with a quick search engine query to see what’s out there. But this can lead to hundreds of results – many irrelevant – and quickly become overwhelming. Having a job search strategy can help you stay motivated, save time and focus on roles that really fit your skills and aspirations.

Build your job search strategy

Graduate job roles are often listed on specialist sites, rather than general job boards. We’ve gathered the best ones for you:

• Careers Connect – for grad level jobs sent to us from employers looking for University of Brighton graduates
• Graduate Jobsites – find a list of top grad level job sites
• Specialist School Resources – find links to sector specific job sites
• Finding employers in the South East and Sussex – find local jobs boards in the South East and Sussex, including Creative industry links

TOP TIP: Test a few sites, then focus on the ones that feel right, the ones that show relevent, up-to-date roles and are easy to navigate.

Search smarter, not harder

Once you find your job boards, search smartly. Think of your search as a triangle:
Sector – Location – Grad-level opportunity

Some sites focus on one area – for example just Screen Skills for jobs in TV and Film, LondonJobsBoard for London-based jobs, or Milkround for graduate-specific vacancies.

Use filters to cover the other two. For example:

• Graduate finance job in Sussex? Try TargetJobs → filter by Finance + South-East
• Engineering grad scheme? Use Gradcracker → filter by location + Graduate Scheme

This helps you cover all key bases.

For more top tips visit the MyBrighton Job Search Strategies page or come along to our next Get Job Search Ready session, as part of the Careers Festival, on Thursday 30^th October at 12.15 – 1pm on MS Teams (still accessible to class of 2025)

Applying without success? Refresh your approach

• Get personalised feedback, book a CV or application review with Katherine Whittaker, your Graduate Career Development Advisor, via Careers Connect.
• Tailor every application, check out Support with job applications on MyBrighton for step-by-step guidance.
• Explore the Hidden Job Market up to 80% of jobs aren’t advertised online! Learn how to approach employer’s directly and read Tom’s story The power of alumni connections and the hidden job market to how how others have succeeded.

Join our Live Job Search Session

Need dedicated time (and a bit of motivation) to focus on your job hunt?

Join me to job search – Live Session
Monday 17^th November | 5:30 – 6:30 PM

• 30 minutes of advice and top tips
• 30 minutes of live job search together

Stay for the full hour and get real-time support while you search. Sign up on Careers Connect and make job search happen!

Your next step

Wherever you are on your journey, exploring, applying or adjusting your strategy, we are here to support you.

• Book an application advice or guidance appointment on Careers Connect
• Email Katherine Whittaker at brightongradfutures@brighton.ac.uk with any questions.