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This section of the website is devoted to live Q&A sessions with our own advisers or external employers. We will promote the Live Q&A’s in advance and you can also access session archives below.

Graduate Jobs and Schemes

Want support finding a graduate job or scheme?

Book a 1:1 appointment with a Graduate Recruitment Adviser to help with job searching and preparing for interviews.Book an appointment here

You can also attend our ‘How to get a graduate job’ workshop ran regularly, both in-person and online. See our Events Calendar for the next session.

CareerLinc is our vacancy platform exclusive to University of Lincoln students and graduates. It advertises local and national graduate jobs and schemes. Click the CareerLinc icon to log in! 

 

What is the difference between a graduate job and a graduate scheme?

There are two main routes into graduate employment: Graduate Schemes and Graduate Jobs. By understanding the 2 different options you will be able to choose which one is right for you. 

Graduate Schemes (also called Graduate Programs) 

  • Paid, full-time, structured training programs typically offered by large employers and the public sector 
  • Run for a set period of time, from 12 – 36 months  
  • Over 60% of schemes are open to graduates from all degrees. Many require a 2:1 degree or above, although some accept a 2:2 
  • Often rotate through multiple departments gaining experience in various areas of business operations.
  • Applications typically open in September before starting the scheme the following summer, meaning undergraduate students apply at the start of their final year. It is best to apply early.
  • Highly competitive to get into with a lengthy application process including applications, psychometric testing, assessment centres and interviews.

Graduate Jobs 

  • Typically refer to entry-level roles with a requirement of graduate-level education.
  • Offered by a wide range of employers across all sectors, including small to medium-sized enterprises (SME’s)
  • Vacancies advertised all year round when positions need to be filled. Students typically start applying for graduate jobs 2 months before completing studies.
  • Application process much shorter than for schemes, for example CV, Cover letter then interview.

How do I find graduate jobs and schemes?

There are many different ways to search for graduate roles. This includes searching for advertised roles on job boards, finding non-advertised opportunities (a speculative approach), and using recruitment agencies.

How to use job boards effectively

Its important to use job boards well to narrow job listings down to those relevant to you, saving you time and energy.

Use search filters and keywords well. Try keywords incorporating the following: general and specialised skills, interests, industry/field, location, job titles, organisation names. Filter by opening and closing dates to help organise your search.

Set up job alerts to makes sure you’re immediately informed about new listings. Apply for jobs sooner rather than later – many employers look through applications and shortlist as soon as they receive them, then may remove the position from the job board before the closing date.

Graduate Job Boards

CareerLinc is our job board exclusive to University of Lincoln students and graduates. It advertises local and national graduate jobs and schemes.  

Click the Career Linc icon to log in! 

You can also find internships exclusively for University of Lincoln Graduates through our internship programme UOL Talent.

Graduate Schemes – Open for Applications

Our Graduate Schemes webpage provides information on live graduate schemes by industry sectors from top employers. Remember to explore options across a range of industries and not limit yourself by your degree!

See live graduate schemes here

External job boards, listing jobs and schemes across all industries 

External specialist and industry job boards 

These job boards list jobs for particular industries or sectors. Use internet searches to find specialist boards for your sectors of interest. Alternatively go to Prospects Job Profiles, search for job profiles of interest and find industry job boards in the ‘Employer’ section. Some example of specialist boards:

Speculative Approach (finding non-advertised jobs)

Many jobs are never advertised. This is called ‘The Hidden Job Market’. A speculative approach is a way of accessing these hidden jobs by enquiring with employers about potential job opportunities.

See our Speculative Applications booklet for help with this approach. It contains a letter structure and example letters. Have your letter reviewed in our Graduate Recruitment appointments.

Recruitment Agencies

Recruitment agencies work with individuals to help them find suitable roles. Some agencies cover all industry sectors and others specialise. Agency Central is a UK agency directory. Find out more about recruitment agencies and how to use them in this Prospects UK resource.

Additional support to help you find graduate roles:

How do I write successful CVs, letters and online applications?

CVs, letters and online applications are the first step in the recruitment process. The quality of them decides whether you progress to the next step. In a competitive graduate job market, it is vital these documents stand out!

CV Support

Creative CVs

Applications to Acceptance booklet

How can I prepare well for testing, interviews and assessment centres?

If you’re applying for graduate jobs and have submitted a successful written application, you may be invited directly to interview. For graduate schemes there are multiple steps in the recruitment screening process, typically including psychometric testing, video interviews, assessment centres and final interviews.

The final ‘Apply’ stage of our Lincoln Award focuses on developing your recruitment skills, including attending an Assessment Centre Experience and presenting to employers. The award is a fantastic opportunity to prepare you for recruitment in ‘the real world’.

Psychometric testing can be challenging and the best way to prepare is to practice with free tests. See our Psychometric Tests webpage to understand more about testing, why employers use it and to access free practice tests

Visit our Interview Support page where you will find various support resources and tools

AI and Job Applications

AI and Job Applications

Jobs Planner

Keeping track of your job applications can get confusing. Use our Jobs Planner to store key information to organise and manage your applications. Click on the Jobs Planner link below and your Planner will appear in your downloads. Jobs Planner

Further resources

Developing your confidence & presentation skills

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