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.

Graduate First Job Tips UK: Succeed in Your First 90 Days

Landing your first graduate job is just the start. Learn essential UK graduate first job tips to make a great impression and thrive in your first 90 days.

TL;DR

Your first 90 days in a graduate job set the tone for your entire career — and our graduate first job tips UK guide covers exactly how to start strong
Focus on listening, asking questions, and building relationships — not trying to prove everything at once
Set clear goals with your manager early and review them regularly
Small daily habits like taking notes and asking for feedback make a huge difference

You did it. You landed your first graduate job. After all the applications, interviews, and waiting, you finally have an offer in hand. But here's the thing nobody tells you — getting the job is only half the battle. These graduate first job tips UK graduates actually need start here: the first 90 days are where you build your career foundation.

Research by the Department for Education shows that graduates who make a strong start in their first role are more likely to secure promotions and better pay within their first three years. So how you show up from day one really matters.

Whether you're starting a graduate scheme or a direct entry role, here's your practical guide to surviving and thriving in your first 90 days.

Your First Week: Listen, Learn, and Take Notes

Your first week is not about proving how smart you are. It's about learning how things work. The most successful graduates in their first job do three things during week one:

They listen more than they speak. Every conversation is a chance to understand the culture, the team dynamics, and the unwritten rules.
They write everything down. Names, processes, acronyms — nothing is too small to note. You will forget half of what you hear on day one.
They ask "dumb" questions. There are no dumb questions in week one. Asking now saves you from costly mistakes later.

Set up a notebook — digital or physical — and use it every single day. This simple habit separates graduates who look lost from graduates who look intentional. It's one of those simple graduate first job tips that makes an immediate difference.

Days 8-30: Build Real Relationships

Your technical skills got you the job. Your relationships will determine how far you go. In your first month, focus on:

Find Your People

Identify who the key people are in your team and adjacent teams. Introduce yourself. Ask them what they do. If you're working hybrid, book 15-minute virtual coffees with colleagues. These mini-meetings build a network that pays off every single day.

Find a Mentor (Formally or Informally)

Many graduate schemes offer formal mentoring. If yours doesn't, find someone a few years ahead of you who does the job well. Watch how they work. Ask for 10 minutes of their time to review your progress. Most people love helping motivated new starters.

Understand Your Manager

Every manager is different. Some want daily updates. Others want a weekly email. Figure out how your manager likes to communicate and adapt — this is one of the most overlooked employability skills for UK graduates.

Days 30-60: Start Delivering Small Wins

By now you understand the basics. It's time to start showing what you can do. But don't try to change the world yet. Focus on small, reliable wins:

Finish a small task completely — and ask for feedback before moving on
Volunteer for one thing nobody else wants to do — it builds trust fast
Document what you learn — write simple guides for future new starters. Teams notice when you make things easier for others

This is also the time to have your first proper check-in with your manager. Ask: "What does success look like for me in the next 30 days?" If they give you a clear answer, write it down and make it your mission.

Days 60-90: Take Ownership and Look Ahead

You're now past the scary part. Your colleagues see you as part of the team, not the new person. Now you can start taking real ownership:

Own a small project from start to finish. Even a tiny task that you fully own teaches you accountability, deadlines, and stakeholder management.
Contribute in meetings. You don't need to be the loudest voice. One well-thought-out comment per meeting is enough to show you're engaged.
Start thinking about your next 90 days. What skills do you want to build? Where do you want to be in six months?

According to HESA data, graduates who proactively plan their development in the first year earn on average £3,000 more after three years than those who don't. The early bird advantage is real.

Graduate First Job Tips UK: Three Common Mistakes to Avoid

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do. Watch out for these common traps:

Trying to prove everything in week one. Nobody expects you to know everything. Relax. You were hired for potential, not perfection.
Staying silent in meetings. Even if you're unsure, say something. A simple "I'd like to look into that and come back to you" is better than silence.
Comparing yourself to other graduates. Someone else's timeline is not yours. Focus on your own progress.

For more on avoiding early career pitfalls, read our guide on graduate CV mistakes UK recruiters notice — many of the same principles apply once you're in the door too.

The Bottom Line

Your first 90 days are not about being perfect. They are about building momentum. Listen more than you talk. Ask for help when you need it. Build genuine relationships with your team. And give yourself grace — nobody nails their first graduate job from day one.

The graduates who succeed aren't the smartest in the room. They're the ones who show up, stay curious, and keep learning. That's you now.

Ready to make your first day count? Keep your CV sharp even after you start — the Padgrad AI CV Checker can help you keep it up to date as you build new skills on the job.

— Ori