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.

The questions to ask in an interview can decide the offer. Use our 15 recruiter favourites to look prepared and interested. Practise free on Padgrad today.

Questions to Ask in an Interview: 15 Recruiter Favourites

The questions to ask in an interview can change the result. Most graduates spend hours preparing answers, then freeze when the recruiter asks, "Do you have any questions for us?" That moment is a real test. Recruiters use it to check if you are curious, prepared and serious about the role. This guide gives you 15 questions to ask in an interview, grouped by what they reveal about you. Practise them, adapt them, and leave knowing you made the right impression.

TL;DR

Always take 3 to 5 questions into the room with you.
Ask about the role, the team and your growth.
Save pay, holiday and pension questions for the offer stage.
Prospects, the UK careers service, says backups are vital in case a question gets answered early.

Why Your Questions Matter

An interview is a two-way street. You are choosing the firm just as much as it is choosing you. Strong questions show three things at once: you did your research, you are genuinely interested, and you think ahead. Candidates who ask sharp questions stay in the recruiter's memory after the door closes.

Prospects, the UK careers service, advises taking four or five questions so you have backups if some are answered during the chat. The same rule applies in Kenya, Uganda and the Philippines. Interviewers everywhere notice who came prepared to ask, not just to answer.

Three Golden Rules Before You Ask

Research first. Never ask something you could find on the firm's website in ten seconds.
Spread your questions through the conversation. Do not save them all for the very end.
Keep pay, holiday and pension for the offer stage, when you have real numbers to discuss.

15 Questions to Ask in an Interview

You do not need to ask all 15. Pick the ones that fit your role and the conversation. Each question below works because it is specific, positive and easy for a recruiter to answer well.

About the Role

"What does a typical day look like in the first six months?"
"What challenges do most new people face in this role?"
"What would success look like after one year here?"
"What projects would I work on in the first few weeks?"
"How is performance measured in this team?"

About the Team and Culture

"What do you enjoy most about working here?"
"How would you describe the team's working style?"
"What does the training and onboarding process look like?"
"How do teams in the firm share ideas and collaborate?"
"What has changed in the team over the past year?"

About Your Growth

"What career paths do people take after this role?"
"How often do staff get reviews and feedback sessions?"
"What skills do the best people in this role share?"
"Is there a mentor or buddy system for new hires?"
"What do you wish you had known before you joined?"

Questions to Avoid at This Stage

Some questions can hurt your chances, even when they feel natural to ask. Save salary, holiday and pension questions until you receive an offer. That is standard advice from Prospects and most graduate recruiters. Never ask something the website answers, like office location or opening hours.

Do not ask "Did I get the job?" or "How did I do?" The recruiter will contact you with the outcome. Asking too early makes you look anxious, not keen. A better close is a simple thank you and a polite question about next steps and timing.

How to Ask Without Sounding Scripted

Listen first, then ask a follow-up based on something the recruiter said. That turns a prepared question into a natural conversation. Keep each question short, with one idea per question. Practise out loud until the words feel yours, not borrowed.

You can rehearse with Padgrad's free interview practice tool to build your confidence before the real thing. It asks realistic questions and helps you shape clear answers.

The Bottom Line

The questions to ask in an interview are your last chance to stand out. Walk in with three to five strong questions, tailored to the role and the firm. Ask them with curiosity, not pressure. You will leave a better impression than most candidates ever do.

Need the full picture? Learn how to answer the seven big questions every graduate faces, then get ready for the next stage with our assessment centre tips. When an offer arrives, know what to check before you sign.

Ready to get hired? Create your free Padgrad account and practise interviews, build your CV and track every application in one place.