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.

Graduate interview dress code UK: what to wear, what to avoid and how to look sharp on a budget. Make a great first impression and land the job with Padgrad.

Graduate Interview Dress Code UK: What to Wear

TL;DR

Dress one step smarter than the office dress code. When in doubt, wear a smart shirt with trousers or a smart dress.
First impressions are fast. One survey found 49% of employers judge fit within five minutes.
Match your outfit to the industry. Finance and law need formal wear. Tech and startups are more relaxed.
You do not need an expensive suit. Clean, fitted and simple beats designer labels.

Your graduate interview dress code UK choices matter more than you think. Interviewers form an opinion in the first minutes of meeting you. Your outfit is part of that first impression. Get it right and you look ready. Get it wrong and you look careless.

Why the Graduate Interview Dress Code UK Matters

Recruiters make fast judgements. A CareerBuilder survey found that 49% of employers know within the first five minutes whether a candidate is a good fit for the role. Your clothes speak before you do.

Research backs this up. A study by the University of Hertfordshire found that men in made-to-measure suits were rated as more confident and more successful. They were also more likely to be recommended for a job. How you dress can even change how you feel. Dressing smartly can boost your confidence before you walk in.

One recruiter survey from Hardy Recruitment found that over half of their recruiters said a candidate's dress sense swayed their decision. The lesson is simple. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

What to Wear: The Graduate Interview Dress Code UK by Industry

There is no single interview uniform. The right outfit depends on the sector. Use this table as your guide.

Industry.	Smartness level.	What to wear.
Finance, law and consulting.	Formal.	Suit, shirt and tie for men. Suit or smart dress for women.
Tech and startups.	Smart casual.	Smart shirt, chinos or dark jeans, clean trainers.
Teaching and public sector.	Smart.	Smart trousers or skirt, blouse or shirt, jacket.
Retail and hospitality.	Smart casual.	Neat trousers, polo or shirt, smart shoes.
Marketing and creative.	Smart casual.	Clean, styled outfit with one smart piece.

Still unsure? Ask the recruiter. A quick email about the dress code is normal and shows you care about the details.

Finance, Law and Consulting

These sectors expect formal wear. Wear a full suit. Men should add a tie. Keep colours plain. Navy, grey and black all work. Polish your shoes. No trainers, ever.

Tech and Startups

Tech offices are casual. A full suit can look out of place. Wear a smart shirt with chinos or dark jeans. Clean trainers are fine. Just make sure everything is clean and fits well.

Teaching and the Public Sector

Schools and public bodies expect smart dress. Wear smart trousers or a skirt with a blouse or shirt. A jacket adds polish. Avoid hoodies and ripped jeans.

How Much Does an Interview Outfit Cost?

You do not need to spend a fortune. A simple smart outfit works. Here is a realistic budget.

Item.	Budget option.	Cost.
Smart shirt.	High street own brand.	£10 to £20.
Trousers or chinos.	High street own brand.	£15 to £30.
Suit jacket.	Charity shop or sale.	£20 to £50.
Shoes.	Clean, smart second-hand.	£15 to £40.
Full new suit.	Budget retailer.	£60 to £120.

Charity shops are a secret weapon. You can find nearly new suits for a fraction of the price. Make sure everything fits. A cheap shirt that fits beats an expensive one that does not.

What NOT to Wear to a Graduate Interview

Some mistakes are easy to avoid. Here is what not to wear.

Ripped or faded jeans. They look too casual for most interviews.
Hoodies, tracksuits or gym wear. Save them for the gym.
Strong perfume or aftershave. Keep it light or skip it.
Very bright colours or loud patterns. Keep it simple.
Worn or dirty shoes. People notice your shoes.
Anything with logos or slogans. Keep it plain.

Video Interview Dress Code: What Counts

Video interviews are common now. The same rules apply, but there are extras. Wear a smart top. The bottom half matters less, but dress fully anyway in case you stand up. Check the camera angle before you start. Make sure the light is on your face, not behind you.

For more help with virtual interviews, read our guide to graduate video interview tips.

Your Interview Day Checklist

Use this list the night before.

Lay out your full outfit, including shoes and socks.
Check that everything is clean and ironed.
Test your video setup if the interview is online.
Pack a spare shirt if you travel a long way.
Set two alarms so you are never late.

Remember the basics too. Re-read the job spec. Practise your answers to common questions with our graduate interview questions guide. If you face an assessment centre, check our assessment centre tips.

The Bottom Line

Your graduate interview dress code UK choices do not need to be expensive. Clean, fitted and appropriate beats designer labels every time. Match the industry, keep it simple and let your answers do the talking.

Before you interview, make sure your CV is ready. Run it through the free Padgrad CV checker. Then sign up with Padgrad free and get matched with graduate roles that suit you.