The five point graduate survival guide

Unsure of what path to follow after graduation? Genevieve Kotarska, who completed an International Relations degree at the University of Exeter, has compiled some tips from her own experiences to help you plot your way to that perfect graduate job.

(Editor's note - Genevieve now works for the Department of Fair Trade. Can't say fairer than that! (sorry))

I loved the green, green pastures of Exeter. But the problem with being so far out in the West Country is that you can pretend reality is a nice long way away, and then suddenly you’ve graduated and you’re living in your parents’ house watching daytime television with no clue how to go about starting the rest of your life. I've made a few mistakes along the way since leaving uni, so learn from my slip-ups and follow these tips…
 
Don’t follow the money (okay – follow the money a little bit)

It’s easy to accept the highest paid job you’re offered regardless of whether you’re interested in it or not. Money is tempting, but if your dream job is to be a primary school teacher and you decide to become a wealthy investment banker, the chances are you’re going to be miserable. It’s important to be paid enough to enjoy life, but working long and stressful hours in an industry you hate will soon leave you jealous of your lesser paid but happier friends.

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…But unpaid internships are not the answer
As well as being legally questionable, unpaid internships tend to be exploitative, and leave you sponging off your parents or working two other jobs to fund them. If you are absolutely sure it’s the industry you want to be in, and convinced that the company will make it worth your while, then maybe consider it. But don’t do it for longer than a month or two, and be prepared to feel bitter towards everyone who is getting paid. [Editor's note: BrighterBox only advertises paid jobs and internships]

Find a good recruitment agency
Some agencies are less picky than others when it comes to both graduates and employers. Find an agency that takes the time to get to know you, what kind of jobs you’re looking for and what your interests are. An unscrupulous agency will put you up for any job that comes along and market it to you as your dream career – I ended up working in what was essentially a call centre under the guise of a digital marketing role. Needless to say, I didn’t last long.

If it seems too good to be true it probably is

People always say this, but people rarely listen. The truth is that if an ideal but highly unrealistic opportunity comes up it’s easy to just think you’re special and not stand back to consider how such a good deal can exist. By ignoring that questioning voice in my brain I ended moving to Spain to teach English and working 14 hours days for free whilst living in a cockroach infested flat. Ask relevant questions and listen to your gut. If it is a real opportunity, the company won't mind fielding your queries (in fact they're likely to be impressed you're taking such an interest).

Don’t let other people’s success get you down

People use social media to project the best possible image of themselves. So that friend who’s always posting photos in fancy cocktail bars and boasting about their amazing job isn’t going to Instagram a picture of themselves crying in the stationery cupboard. Take everyone else’s success with a pinch of salt and focus on your achievements - big or small. 

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BrighterBox helps graduates find brilliant internships and jobs with London's top companies and startups. Search and apply for roles on our vacancies page.