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.

Learn how to find a mentor as a graduate in 2026. Where to look, what to say in your first message, and how to keep the link strong. Start your search today.

How to Find a Mentor as a Graduate: A Complete 2026 Guide

A good mentor can save you years. They have walked your path. They tell you which steps waste time.

This guide shows you how to find a mentor as a graduate. It covers where to look, what to say, and how to keep the link strong. You do not need luck. You need a clear plan and a short message.

TL;DR

Start your search with people you already know, such as alumni and former managers.
Ask for one small chat, not a long-term promise.
Come to every meeting with two or three clear questions.
Act on the advice, then report back what happened.

Why a Mentor Helps Early in Your Career

Your first job throws a lot at you. Office rules are often unwritten. A mentor explains them fast.

They also spot blind spots. You may not see a gap in your CV or your answers. A mentor sees it in minutes.

Most people miss this step. They wait to be picked. Do not wait. Reach out first.

How to Find a Mentor: Five Places to Look

Look close before you look far. Warm contacts reply more often than strangers.

Place	Why it works	First step
Your alumni network	You share a school, so the link feels easy.	Join the alumni group and ask for a short call.
Professional bodies	Many run formal schemes with trained mentors.	Check the scheme page and sign up.
People at your firm	They know the culture and the next step.	Ask someone two levels up for a chat.
LinkedIn	You can find people in your target role.	Comment on their posts before you send a message.
Events and talks	A shared event gives you a reason to talk.	Ask one question, then swap details.

Aim for two or three names, not twenty. Depth beats volume. This works in every market. Alumni groups, professional bodies and industry events run in the UK, Kenya, Uganda and the Philippines alike.

Who Makes a Good Mentor

Do not chase the biggest job title. Chase fit.

They do work you want to do in two or three years.
They give honest views, not just praise.
They have time to meet now and then.
They ask about your goals, then remember them.

You can also build a small circle. One person for skills. One for industry insight. You do not need one perfect guide for everything. If you are still working out your direction, start with clear career goals first.

What to Say When You Ask

Keep your message short. Say who you are. Say why that person. Ask for one small thing.

Start With People You Know

A warm intro beats a cold message. Ask a shared contact to introduce you. One line from a trusted person opens the door.

Send a Short, Specific Message

Try this shape. Your name. One line about their work. One clear ask. A thank you. Here is an example.

"Hello Ms Patel. I am a final-year student aiming for a data role. I read your talk on dashboards. Could I ask you two questions over a 20-minute call?"

Notice the small ask. You asked for 20 minutes. You did not ask for a lifelong mentor.

Do Not Ask for a Big Promise

The word mentor sounds heavy. It hints at years of work. Ask for one chat instead. If the chat goes well, ask to meet again.

If you hear nothing, follow up once after a week. Then move on. Silence is not a verdict on you. The person may simply be busy.

How to Make the First Meeting Count

You drive the meeting. Treat it like a short project.

Send your questions the day before.
Bring two or three topics, not a long list.
Share your context in a few lines.
Take notes and end on time.
Say thank you within a day.

Ask about choices, not just results. "What would you do differently?" opens far more than "What is your advice?"

How to Keep the Relationship Going

Most links fade because the graduate goes quiet. Do not go quiet.

Agree a light rhythm. A monthly or two-monthly check-in works well. Then send a short update each time, with one question.

The best habit is a results loop. Try their advice. Then tell them what happened. People love to see their advice work.

Good mentors also open doors. They suggest a person to meet or a role to watch. Networking works the same way, so build both skills at once. Our networking guide for graduates shows how to keep those links warm.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Waiting for a mentor to appear.
Asking for a long commitment in the first message.
Turning up with no questions.
Reaching out only when you need something urgent.
Ignoring the advice and never reporting back.

A mentor will not hand you a job. They help you avoid wrong turns. That is often worth more. Mentors also notice growth, which helps when you aim to get promoted in your first graduate job.

The Bottom Line

Getting a mentor is a process, not a lucky break. Get clear on what you need. Pick two or three people. Send a short, specific ask. Then run the relationship with care.

Start this week. Send one message. One good chat can change how your first year goes.

Make sure your CV backs up that first message. Run it through our free CV checker. It shows the gaps recruiters spot first. Then build a clean version in the CV builder.

By Ori