padgrad is a free career platform for UK 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 UK graduate recruiters.

How many jobs should I apply for as a graduate?

UK 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 in the UK?

Most UK 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. The civil service fast stream and larger graduate schemes can take 4-6 months from application to offer.

What is the average graduate salary in the UK for 2026?

The median graduate salary in the UK for 2026 is around £28,000-£32,000 depending on sector. Investment banking, law, and tech pay the highest (£35,000+), while public sector and charity roles typically start lower (£24,000-£27,000). Regional salaries average 10-20% lower outside London.

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 UK 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 in the UK typically pay between £25,000 and £35,000 in the first year, with some industries paying significantly more. Law firms and investment banks often start at £45,000-£55,000. Most schemes also offer benefits like bonuses, pension contributions, and professional qualification sponsorship.

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

Research from High Fliers shows the UK's 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 in September and October for roles starting the following September, 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.

Build a LinkedIn profile UK graduate recruiters notice. Optimise your headline, write a compelling about section, and attract recruiters without applying.

How to Build a LinkedIn Profile That Gets Graduate Recruiters' Attention

By Ori · 5 Julai 2026

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital CV — and for many graduate recruiters, it's the first impression they get of you. Here's how to make it count.

TL;DR — The Short Version

Recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds scanning a LinkedIn profile. Your headline and photo make or break that first impression.
80% of graduate recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates. If your profile isn't optimised, you're invisible to them.
The most impactful changes take under 30 minutes: rewrite your headline, update your about section, and add your skills.

Why Your LinkedIn Profile Matters More Than Your CV in 2026

The UK graduate job market is the most competitive it's been in over a decade. According to High Fliers Research, employers receive an average of 140 applications per role.

Unlike your CV, which sits in an applicant tracking system until you apply for a role, your LinkedIn profile is searchable by recruiters every single day.

The 4 Elements of a Recruiter-Ready LinkedIn Profile

1. Your Headline — The 120 Characters That Matter Most

Your headline appears next to your name in every search result. Most graduates leave theirs as "Student at [University]" — a wasted opportunity.

Bad: "Recent Graduate at University of Manchester"

Good: "Marketing Graduate | SEO & Content Strategy | Looking for 2026 Graduate Schemes"

2. Your About Section — Tell Your Story in 2,000 Characters

The about section is your elevator pitch. Start with a hook mentioning your degree, career goal, and what makes you different.

3. Your Experience Section — Go Beyond Your Job Title

Every placement, internship, and part-time job can show transferable skills. Write 3-5 bullet points describing results, not just responsibilities.

Use Padgrad's AI CV Checker to strengthen your bullet points.

4. Your Skills Section — Get Endorsed for the Right Things

List 10-15 skills relevant to your target industry. Ask classmates to endorse you.

Two Quick Wins That Take 5 Minutes

Customise your URL: linkedin.com/in/yourname
Set your location and industry: Recruiters filter by location.

Common LinkedIn Mistakes UK Graduates Make

No profile photo — profiles with photos get 21x more views.
Generic headline — "Student" tells recruiters nothing.
No call to action — tell recruiters what you're looking for.
Incomplete profile — fill all sections.

Use Padgrad to Strengthen Your Profile

Use Padgrad's free CV Builder and AI CV Checker. Read our guide to beating ATS systems.

Sign up for free on Padgrad — no credit card, no catch.

— Ori