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 resign from your first job the right way: notice periods, what to say to your manager, a letter template and how to leave on really good terms.

How to Resign From Your First Job: A Graduate Guide

Leaving your first job can feel like a big deal. You may worry about letting people down, or about what your manager will say. It is still a normal step. Most people move on from that first role sooner or later.

If you have decided to resign from your first job, treat the exit like a task on your list. Plan it. Do it well. This guide shows you how, step by step.

TL;DR

Check your notice period in your contract before you say anything.
Tell your manager first, in a short meeting.
Follow up with a short written letter the same day.
Leave a clean handover and stay polite to the end.

Why Leaving Well Matters

Your first job gives you more than a salary. It gives you a reference, a network and a story you will tell in interviews for years.

Managers talk to each other. Recruiters move between firms. A calm exit keeps those doors open. A messy exit can close them for a long time.

Leaving well also protects you. If you hand over your work properly and keep a record of it, nobody can blame you for problems after you go.

Before You Resign From Your First Job

Do the groundwork first. Most mistakes happen in the first hour, when people speak before they think.

Check Your Notice Period

Open your contract and find the notice clause. Most roles ask for between two weeks and three months. Your contract sets the rule, and local law may set a minimum.

Note the exact date your notice would end. Count from the day your manager receives your letter, not the day you decide to leave.

Get Your Next Offer in Writing

Do not resign on a verbal promise. Wait for a written offer with a start date and a salary. Offers fall through more often than people expect.

If you have no next job lined up, that is your call to make. Just check your savings first. Rent and bills keep coming.

Save Proof of Your Work

Keep copies of your own reports, plans and results. Do not take client data or anything confidential. Just keep a simple list of what you built and what changed because of it.

That list makes your CV stronger and gives you real examples for interviews. Our guide to your first performance review shows how to turn that proof into clear wins.

How to Tell Your Manager

Ask for a short private meeting. Say the news in your first sentence. Then stop talking and let them respond.

Keep your reason short. "I have been offered a role closer to what I want to do" is enough. You do not owe anyone a full explanation.

Never criticise the company, your team or a colleague. Word travels fast, and it usually reaches the person you mentioned.

Expect questions about your last day, your projects and who can take them over. Bring a short handover plan to the meeting. It shows you are leaving as a professional.

The Resignation Letter

Send the letter the same day as the meeting. Keep it short and calm. One page is plenty.

State clearly that you are resigning from your role.
Give your last working day, based on your notice period.
Thank them for the chance to work there.
Offer to help with the handover.
Sign with your name and the date.

A sample you can adapt:

"Dear Ms Okoro, I am writing to confirm that I am resigning from my role as Graduate Analyst at Northfield Group. My notice period is four weeks, so my last working day will be 27 November 2026. Thank you for the support and training I have had since I joined. I will make sure my current work is handed over cleanly before I leave. Yours sincerely, Daniel Mensah."

What to Say and What to Avoid

Situation	Say this	Avoid this
They ask why you are leaving.	I have a role that fits my goals better.	Listing everything that annoyed you.
They ask where you are going.	I would rather keep that private for now.	Naming a rival firm to make a point.
They offer more money to stay.	Thank you, but I have made my decision.	Making a counter offer you will not honour.
They ask you to stay longer.	I can discuss a short handover instead.	Agreeing to weeks you cannot work.

Handover Checklist

A clean handover takes a day and saves your reputation for years. Write it down, share it, and walk your manager through it.

Item	What to include.
Live work.	Each task, its status and its deadline.
Files and access.	Where documents live and who needs access.
Contacts.	People outside the team who expect things from you.
Risks.	Anything that could break after you leave.

Common Questions About Resigning

Can My Employer Refuse My Resignation?

In the UK, no. GOV.UK guidance for employers says an employer cannot refuse to accept a resignation. It also says they must confirm your notice period and agree your last day with you.

Every country has its own rules. Read your contract and your local law if you are unsure.

Do I Have to Work My Notice?

Most contracts expect you to work it, and you are usually paid for it. Some employers will let you stop early. Ask, and get the answer in writing.

What About Holiday and Final Pay?

Your last payslip should include the days you worked and any holiday you have not taken. Check it line by line. Our guide to your first payslip explains the tax, pension and deduction lines.

What If the Job Is Making Me Unwell?

Health comes first. If the role is harming your sleep or your mood, talk to a doctor and get advice before you decide. Leaving is not the only option, but it is a valid one.

If your plan is a bigger change, read our guide on a career change after graduation.

Should I Stay Longer Instead?

Sometimes yes. If you are learning fast and close to a promotion, six more months can pay off. Our guide on how long to stay in your first job helps you weigh it up.

Final Word

Resign like a professional and you keep your reference, your contacts and your confidence. Say it early, write it down and hand over well. Then start the next chapter with a clean record.

If you are still job hunting, Padgrad lists graduate roles and gives you tools to check your CV before you apply. Create a free account and take the next step today.

By Ori