padgrad is a free career platform for graduates. It matches jobs to your degree, generates AI-powered CV checks and cover letters, and sends daily personalised job digests matched to your field of study.

Yes. You get 10 free credits on sign-up to use on AI CV checks and cover letters. All other tools — job matching, budgeting, application tracking, rejection logging — are free with no credit card required.

How does the AI CV Checker work?

Upload your CV and paste a job description. The AI analyses your CV against the role requirements, gives you an ATS compatibility score out of 100, and tells you exactly what keywords and formatting changes to make — helping you pass automated screening systems used by graduate recruiters.

How many jobs should I apply for as a graduate?

Graduates typically need to send between 20 and 50 applications to land a role, with top graduate schemes receiving an average of 58 applications per vacancy. Focus on quality over quantity — tailor each CV and cover letter to the role rather than spamming the same application everywhere.

How long does it take to get a graduate job?

Most graduates take between 3 and 6 months to land their first graduate role, though it varies by sector. Consulting, tech, and investment banking tend to have faster hiring cycles. Larger graduate schemes can take 4-6 months from application to offer.

What is the average graduate salary for 2026?

Graduate salaries vary widely by country, sector and region. Investment banking, law and tech tend to pay the highest, while public sector and charity roles typically start lower. Salaries in major cities usually sit above the national average — check local salary guides for figures relevant to your market.

How do I write a graduate CV with no work experience?

Focus on transferable skills from your degree — research projects, group assignments, presentations, and coursework. Include volunteering, society memberships, part-time jobs, and any placements or internships. Use Padgrad's CV Builder to structure your CV for ATS systems, then run it through the AI CV Checker to see how it scores.

How are jobs matched to my degree on padgrad?

We scrape thousands of graduate jobs daily and match them to over 300 specific degree fields. Whether you studied Biology, Law, Engineering, Psychology, or History — we only show you roles that fit your subject area and send them straight to your daily digest.

Do graduate schemes pay well?

Graduate schemes typically pay a competitive starting salary, with some industries paying significantly more. Law firms and investment banks often pay the most. Most schemes also offer benefits like bonuses, pension contributions, and professional qualification sponsorship — check each employer's offer for the specifics.

How many applications does it take to get a graduate job?

Research shows top employers receive an average of 58 applications per graduate vacancy. Most successful graduates send 20-40 tailored applications before receiving an offer. Track every application using Padgrad's Application Tracker to spot which types of roles you progress furthest in.

Can I apply for graduate jobs before I graduate?

Yes — most large graduate schemes open applications 6-12 months before the role starts, so you should apply in your final year. Smaller companies and direct-entry roles tend to hire closer to the start date. Padgrad's daily job digest includes both graduate schemes and entry-level roles you can apply for straight away.

What should a graduate CV include?

A strong graduate CV should include: your degree with predicted or achieved grade, relevant modules and dissertation topic, transferable skills (research, teamwork, communication), part-time work or volunteering, technical skills and software proficiency, and a personal profile. Most recruiters spend under 10 seconds scanning a CV — use Padgrad's AI CV Checker to make sure yours passes the six-second test.

Your first performance review is not a test. Learn how to prepare for it, what to say and how to turn feedback into a clear plan. Try Padgrad free today.

First Performance Review: A Guide for New Graduates

Your first performance review can feel like an exam. It is not. It is a normal work talk, and most firms hold one every six or twelve months. This guide shows you how to prepare, what to say, and how to turn the meeting into a plan.

A good review is not a verdict on you as a person. It is a check-in on your work so far. It also sets the goals you will work towards next. Go in prepared, and the meeting becomes one of the most useful hours of your year.

TL;DR

A performance review is a two-way talk about your work, not a test.
Bring proof. List your wins, your figures and your lessons.
Ask what good looks like in your role. Then write the goals down.
Agree three clear actions before you leave the room.

What your first performance review really is

In most firms, a review is a structured chat between you and your manager. It looks back at what you did and forward to what comes next. Many teams also ask you to write a short self-assessment first.

Nothing here should be a shock if you have been working well. Your manager already sees your day-to-day. The review simply puts it on record, sets your rating, and agrees your goals for the next period.

Think of it as a mirror, not a trap. It shows where you are strong and where you can grow.

How to prepare for your first performance review

Preparation is the whole game. Most new graduates walk in with nothing and walk out with vague feelings. Do this instead.

Collect your wins. Note the projects you finished and the problems you solved.
Find your figures. Saved time, more sales, fewer errors. Numbers are hard to argue with.
Name two weak spots. Everyone has them, and naming yours first shows maturity.
Read your job description. Check your work against what the role really asks for.
Write three questions. Ask about your rating, your next goals and any training you want.

Keep your notes on one page. A short list beats a long essay. Our guide to time management in your first job shows how to keep that record all year.

What reviewers look for

Most ratings come down to a few simple things. Here is what your manager is really scoring.

What they check	What good looks like	How to show it
Delivery.	You finish work on time and to a good standard.	Keep a short list of finished tasks.
Ownership.	You act without being told twice.	Bring a solution, not just a problem.
Teamwork.	People enjoy working with you.	Give the team credit in your notes.
Learning.	You take feedback and improve.	Say what you did with last month's advice.
Growth.	You are ready for more.	Offer to take on one new task.

How to write your self-assessment

Many firms ask for a few lines before the meeting. Do not rush it. Use three short parts.

What went well. Give one clear example with a result.
What was hard. Name one challenge and what you learned from it.
What comes next. Set out one goal you want to aim for.

Keep the tone plain and honest. Do not over-apologise, and do not oversell. A calm, accurate summary is what a manager wants to read.

If self-doubt is making this hard, our post on handling imposter syndrome can help you write in a steadier voice.

How to handle tough feedback

Not every review is glowing, and that is fine. Feedback is data, not a judgement on your worth.

Listen to the full point before you reply.
Ask for one clear example if the point is vague.
Ask what better would look like.
Say thank you, then act on it.

Stay calm, even when a comment stings. Managers remember how you took the message far longer than they remember the message itself.

What to ask before the meeting ends

What is my rating, and what does it mean here?
What are the top two things I should improve?
What would you like me to focus on next time?
What training or support can help me get there?

After the review: turn it into a plan

Do not leave it in the room. Within a day, write a short summary of what was agreed and send it over. Then pick three actions and start on the first one this week.

Small, steady progress beats a burst of effort that soon fades. Reviews reward the person who acts on the feedback long before the next one comes round.

For the bigger picture, see our guides to getting promoted in your first job and to setting career goals as a graduate.

The Bottom Line

Your first performance review is a normal work chat, not a test you pass or fail. Prepare proof of what you did. Listen to the feedback. Agree clear goals. Then act on them fast.

Do that and you will leave every review with a clear plan and a stronger name in your manager's mind.

Ready to build your career on solid ground? Join Padgrad. Our free tools help you build a strong CV and find graduate roles in the United Kingdom, Kenya, Uganda and the Philippines.

By Ori