Navigating the Graduate Labour Market
The Gen Z graduate labour market crisis: let's talk about it.
1.2 million recent graduates in the UK just competed for 17,000 roles, according to the ISE. The competition for graduate roles is tougher than ever. So what do you do if you're stuck in limbo between university, unemployment, or part-time work?
We’ll walk you through some frequently asked questions on our instagram profile, your options going forward and some tips that might help you secure the full-time role you deserve.
How competitive are UK graduate schemes right now, and why does it feel worse?
So you’ve done it. Three (or four) years of lectures, late-night library sessions, questionable dinners and one very stressful dissertation later - you’ve graduated. So, what’s next?
The graduate job market for 2026/2027 is genuinely one of the toughest it's been in over a decade, so if your honest answer is “I have no idea, and I've applied to 40 jobs and heard nothing back,” please know you’re not alone in feeling a bit lost. And you definitely aren't the problem.
You're not less impressive than other grads who have secured a job already; there's just a lot happening at once.
Only 61% of grads are in full-time work, which might sound promising until you realise that accounts for any job, including unskilled roles with no connection to their degree. More and more grads are having to settle for any job they can get their hands on. Charlotte and Theo told the BBC about their experiences with unemployment, claiming benefits and the vicious cycle you may find yourself in if you don’t have prior 'work experience'.
The truth is, the market has shifted because several factors hit at once: the aftermath of the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, reduced numbers of schemes employers can offer, and the number of graduates staying the same.
If you’ve completed an internship or placement year, or have had no luck with your applications, you already know the whole process has got harder too. Video and in-person interviews, online tests, assessment centres and even AI... but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Your questions around getting a graduate role, answered…
What jobs are in demand?
Good news: there are definitely sectors that are hiring more roles than others right now. So if you’ve not had much luck, don’t stress. You'd be surprised at the type of roles you'll come across; that could be more relevant to you than you think.
Here are just some of the fastest-growing sectors for 2026:
Tech & Software Development (includes AI roles)
Cybersecurity & Data
Health & Social Care
Sustainability-related roles (green economy and the environment)
Teaching
Engineering & Infrastructure
We’ve seen many of the above roles go live on Higherin. Employers are actively looking for talented students to join them.
FIND A JOBWhat are my options?
Here's a proper breakdown of what's actually available to you.
Final Year Internships
If you are in your final year and stressed that you might not have work experience to help your application, it’s not too late! A lot of employers use internship programmes as a direct pipeline into graduate roles, and many are open to final year or recently graduated students.
Even if it doesn’t turn into a direct job offer, you’ll finish university with real industry work experience and connections that so many students won’t have.
Look out for insight days too, as they’re a great way to get in front of employers and add something meaningful to your CV before you finish your degree.
FIND AN INTERNSHIPRoles at Smaller Firms
Don't sleep on this one. It's not always about the big brands and companies you've heard of. Start-ups and small-to-medium-sized businesses are full of opportunities. At a smaller firm, you'll typically get a much broader view of how a business actually works, much faster. Strategy, client work, marketing, operations (often all in the same week).
You get to shape your role more, the culture tends to be better (everyone actually knows each other), and you're far more likely to make a real impact from day one.
BEST SMES TO WORK FORSearching for ‘Normal’ Jobs
Not every role that you apply for after university needs to be labelled a grad scheme or job. There’s plenty of other permanent opportunities for you to explore. During your next application session, try searching for executive, coordinator or junior role. You'll find a lot more jobs than you expected that you're genuinely qualified for.
In fact, sometimes, these roles give you more responsibility earlier on because you’re not stuck in a one to two-year rotation.
Doing an Apprenticeship after you Graduate
It may sound a bit backwards, right? You have a degree already, why on earth would you then go and do an apprenticeship? Hear us out.
Higher and degree apprenticeships are serious business, and a lot of major employers (BMW, L’Oréal, KPMG, Amazon) now run Level 6 (degree-equivalent) and Level 7 (masters-degree equivalent) apprenticeships. You can retrain in a new industry, go deeper in your existing field, or even come away with a master's qualification - all while getting paid. For sectors like accountancy, project management, digital and engineering, this can genuinely be a faster route into employment than a traditional grad scheme.
FIND A DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPTake a Year Out
Although taking time out after university will be and is amazing, it can get very expensive. You need to think, will it be a purposeful year where you go and volunteer, do an international internship and find experiences that employers value? Or is it a year of avoiding your next steps?
Of course, it doesn’t close doors and may leave you time to find a role that you are genuinely passionate about. Just be ready to speak confidently about your decision and how you made the year as intentional as you can to improve your career prospects.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WORKING ABROADTips to get you hired in 2026
We know applying for a job after university is easier said than done, but start putting some of this into practice, and here’s how.
1. Tailor EVERY single application.
We know it's tedious, but a generic CV sent to 80 companies will get zero responses. Give examples of how you’ve used the skills mentioned in the job description. Show you are actually interested in the role and you’ve made the effort to understand what it entails.
2. Be keen and go the extra mile.
Little things like following up after your application or an email thanking the employer for the interview go a long way. It takes max two minutes.
3. Sort your LinkedIn out.
Recruiters are actively searching for grads on there - and if your profile is just a blank photo and your degree, you're invisible. Add your skills, a proper headline, and a short bio. Post occasionally about things you’ve achieved, what you're learning or interested in. And use it to your advantage…
NETWORK. Reach out to alumni from your university on LinkedIn. Ask for a 20-minute coffee chat (virtual is fine). These person-to-person connections add so much more value than anything AI can write.
CREATE A WINNING LINKEDIN PROFILE4. Improve your AI Literacy.
AI is everywhere right now, and that's not going to change. That doesn’t mean go ahead and use it to write all of your applications. It means understanding what it is, what it does and what tools can genuinely help you work smarter through the job-hunting process.
The UK Government's AI Skills Hub lets you upskill yourself on AI for FREE.
5. Look after yourself through this process.
Try not to obsess over long-term plans. Set a sustainable pace, celebrate small wins (getting an interview IS a win), and don't tie your self-worth to a hiring decision made by someone who doesn't even know you properly yet.
We know you had a five-year plan in mind of how your life might look. Things change - and that's okay. You are exactly where you're meant to be right now, and something will come. Keep pushing forward.
APPLY FOR GRADUATE SCHEMES AND JOBS
Graduate Consulting - Forensic, Risk and Assurance 2026 - Birmingham
at KPMG
- Graduate Scheme
- Birmingham
Graduate Chartered Accountant Trainee (ACA Qualification)
at ICAEW
- Graduate Scheme
-
Competitive
- Greater London
I'm Grace, Marketing Executive here at Higherin! I recently graduated with a Business Degree from Bournemouth University, and have returned as a graduate after completing my placement year with Higherin. I'm here to share real insights into placements, student struggles, and now graduate life. I've been there, so I know how to ensure you get the help and support you need to achieve your career goals.
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