Increase the probability of landing the role you want

It’s tough out there!

Let’s start with the tough reality, just to get it out of the way.

The UK employment market is hard right now. Not just for graduates, but across almost every level. There is a common assumption that it is uniquely difficult for graduates and postgraduates, and whilst it certainly feels that way, the evidence suggests something slightly different.

Government statistics still show that graduates and postgraduates remain significantly more likely to be employed than non-graduates. The latest published figures put graduate employment at 87.6%, postgraduate employment at 90%, and non-graduate employment at 68%. Graduates also continue to earn more on average, around £42k compared with £30k for non-graduate and are more likely to move into higher-skilled roles and progress more quickly.

So, to parents, and I say this as one myself, with daughters at university - yes, it was, and still is, worth it.

But there is an important caveat. Those figures are from 2024. Last year’s statistics have not yet been published, and I will share them when they are. My honest expectation is that the picture will look tougher.

What we do know from more recent labour market data is that recruitment has fallen sharply overall. Graduate recruitment is not collapsing in isolation; it is following the wider market. In other words, this is not really a “graduate problem”. It is a recruitment market problem.

And it is a tough one.

Having worked in a recruitment firm for the last four years, as part of a separate Leadership Advisory team made up of business psychologists, I repeatedly heard recruiters say they had never seen the market this difficult — at any level. Organisations are receiving hundreds of applications for individual roles. A quick look at LinkedIn will often show you exactly how many people have already applied for the same job.

That can feel daunting. Particularly if you are a parent watching your son or daughter, having worked incredibly hard for their degree, now face a job market that feels confusing, impersonal and highly competitive.

So, the question becomes: how do they stand out?

The first hurdle is simply getting through the initial screening process. For many roles, especially those applied for online through company websites, LinkedIn, Indeed or other job boards, the CV may be assessed by an Applicant Tracking System, often referred to as an ATS. In simple terms, this means that before a human being ever reads the CV, it may be screened for relevance against the job description.

If the CV does not contain the right language, keywords, structure or evidence, it may be rejected at the very first stage. Often, the applicant will not even hear back.

That is frustrating, but it is also something that can be improved.

Phase One is getting the CV right, both the formal CV and the ‘public CV’ – i.e. LinkedIn. Most graduates do not yet know how to do this well, which is completely understandable. It is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned.

A quick heads-up: they will almost certainly need more than one version of their CV. In today’s market, sending the same generic CV to every role is unlikely to work. Each application needs to be tailored — sometimes lightly, sometimes significantly — to reflect the specific role, organisation and selection criteria.

Phase Two is interview performance.

And I say interviews deliberately, because many organisations now run several rounds, often with different stakeholders, from different functions and levels of seniority. Again, this can feel intimidating, especially for someone just starting out. But interviewing well is also a learnable skill.

To perform strongly, students and recent graduates need to be clear on three things: what they can offer, how they evidence it, and where they still need to develop. They need to understand their skills, knowledge, strengths and motivations, and be able to talk about them in a way that is confident, relevant and human — not rehearsed, robotic or over-polished.

That is where coaching can help.

The aim is not to turn them into someone they are not. It is to help them understand who they are at a deeper level, what makes them what they are – what are their key strengths and development needs. In other wors, what they bring, their uniqueness; and to be able to communicate this clearly and concisely in the interview setting.

But simple knowing themselves more clearly will enable them to approach the job hunt with more confidence, structure and resilience.

Because the market may be tough, but with the right preparation, they can give themselves the edge over the competition and as such a much stronger chance of being successful in landing the job they want.

So, if your son or daughter has recently graduated, or is about to, and is now facing the job market with a mixture of hope, uncertainty and probably a fair bit of frustration or even confusion, this is exactly where I can help.

My coaching is practical, focused and personal. We will work on the things that make the biggest difference: a sharper CV, a stronger LinkedIn profile, clearer applications, enhanced interview techniques, and most importantly, the confidence to explain who they are, what they offer, and why an employer should take them seriously.

Because this is not just about “getting a job”. It is about helping them take the first proper step into the working world with clarity, confidence and momentum.

And as parents, that is what we really want for them, self-belief.

If that sounds like the kind of support your graduate or postgraduate son or daughter would benefit from, please do get in touch. I would be very happy to have an initial conversation and talk through how I can help.

Clearview Coaching is a Coaching Psychology practice (well, it’s actually just me really…) that offers a selection of powerful and insightful developmental tools including Behavioural Profiling, Psychometric Assessments and Cognitive Behavioural Coaching. 

Using state of the art research and theory from psychology and neuroscience alongside extensive hands on business experience, I bring a fresh perspective to coaching and development. 

Equipping people with the confidence, resilience and focus to be the best version of themselves.

So what's stopping you?

Book aFree Consultation to discover how Clearview Coaching can equip you with the skills you require to give yourself the best chance to land the role you want in a highly competitive employment makrte. 

What do clients say...?

“Anthony has made me a me a better boss, a better employee, a better parent and a better friend. I can not recommend him highly enough.

“ Sarah- Creative Director - Love Productions/Executive Producer, Ex Channel 4

"I'd highly recommend one, two, five... ten sessions! I think there's always more to learn here and Anthony sets you up with tools to go out there and deal with problems you might not have even thought you needed improving! I'll happily be back for more sessions in the future."

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