The job market for graduates right now is cooked.

There’s no two ways around it.

Applications per graduate role have skyrocketed to 140 according to the ISE, and it feels like getting a graduate job is a lottery at the moment.

So how do you actually secure a graduate job in 2025?

As our aim at FO Perspectives is helping graduates and young professionals kickstart their careers, I feel it’s only fair I talk about what I would do if I were a graduate in 2025.

1. Get clear and concise with the roles I’m focusing on

The Scattergun approach to applying for anything and everything won’t cut it. I would spend some time reviewing my skills and researching roles which aligned with my interests, skillset and strengths. I would then pick 2-3 roles max and tailor my job search around those roles.

This includes creating a tailored CV for each role and focusing my networking, applications and interview prep all around these 2-3 roles.

I’d lastly then focus on doing 8-10 high-quality applications a week on those specific roles I’ve tailored my job search to. This quality > quantity approach will save you so much time and give you better returns.

2. Upskill myself quickly

Once I know what roles I’m interested in, I’ll analyse the job description for the roles I’m interested in and do a skills audit to identify what hard skills I’m missing and focus on upskilling on them. For example, if I were interested in Asset Management, I would do Excel courses for financial modelling and do the CFI Valuations course to work on business valuations skills.

I also won’t have to break the bank to do courses and qualifications - I’d focus on the free ones first before looking at paid qualifications.

3. Be Strategic with where I apply to

Now, while I would still apply for the big companies, I would focus my efforts on boutique and SME firms where there would be less competition and a higher chance of getting interviews and securing an offer. I’d use sites such as Welcome to the Jungle, Otta and Google Jobs to find the entry-level roles for Boutiques & SMEs.

4. Start networking rapidly

With the current state of the graduate job market, networking can open doors and provide access to opportunities you wouldn’t know of.

I’d focus my networking with recent graduates on graduate schemes to get insights and advice into the process and with recruiters to get access to opportunities that I wouldn’t find on Job Boards.

I’d also make every advantage count when it comes to networking, so I’d focus on leveraging my university alumni network. There will be people from your university on graduate schemes or working there who can give you advice on navigating the process and even potentially refer you for roles.

5. Ensure I track progress and get feedback

I’d be methodical in tracking my progress and quantifying my success rate across applications. I’d bucket my applications in 4 stages - application, online assessment, interview and offer. I’d work out what % my applications were falling into in each stage and then focus my improvement on those areas. e.g. if 50% of my applications were falling down at the application stage, then I know my CV still needs work.

I’d have a key focus on gathering feedback from all my interviews to work out where I need to improve. Feedback is crucial for making progress and knowing where I’m going wrong and what to work on for next time so, I’d push hard on getting for.

Now doing all these 6 things won’t guarantee me a role, as no one can guarantee you a job. But they will definitely improve my chances of landing one in the current climate.