Is there a time limit to applying for graduate roles?

[ASDnocareer]

I graduated in 2021 so almost 4 years ago and still never landed a professional job. I don’t have any CV gaps but I do believe there is a stigma being stuck in low skilled work, and seems most employers are probably choosing fresh graduates over me? Can any Recruiters / Hiring Managers please advice - would you overlook a stale candidate who graduated 4 years ago (no CV gaps but ‘bad’ jobs) for a fresh graduate?

Recruitment agencies have all blanked me too (signed up for big and small ones, including graduate recruitment agencies)

Always wanted a grad job so badly, I remember doing everything ‘right’ whilst a student at uni to increase my chances of getting a grad job (got a 2.1, used careers service for personalised advice, attended few grad networking events, did an Industrial Placement, then performed well at said industrial placement so I was the only intern offered a part time role in my final year during the pandemic)

Despite this I still landed nothing meanwhile my friends who messed around at uni are on 45 - 60k+, and stable/senior in their career paths. I live in a huge city too, no dependents, native English speaker and willing to work full time in office if it means I can actually land a grad job with prospects.

I’m still continuing to apply for graduate entry level jobs because genuinely what else is there to do? As much as my current strategy is proving unsuccessful I still would rather take my 99% chance of rejection when applying for grad roles vs 100% chance of not getting job by not applying.

All performance reviews are good, and have tried applying internally at my own company in meantime but that hasn’t worked yet either. Last internal role I applied for I didn’t get despite receiving excellent feedback on how I interviewed. It was a job grade equivalent to entry level grad roles but they gave it to someone with more relevant experience (fine), but the audacity for them to then offer me another role at a lower scale so equivalent to admin despite knowing I’m a graduate and internal candidate who has 2 years experience working at the company with only good performance reviews.
If my own company who can see my positive performance reviews don’t want to offer me a chance at working a grad job, what are the chances of an external company hiring a stale graduate

large employer not sure how many employees sorry but think it’s around 2000, main office in London and few smaller ones. No international offices though

@titchy thanks, I didn’t intend it to be 1.5 pages long I guess it’s just because I don’t have enough relevant work experience (only worked at three companies) to fill two pages neatly. Also, I was previously advised to not put over 5 bullet points under each role and prioritise listing the most relevant points instead.

I haven’t used chat GPT for my CV because I worry it may seem too obvious. Maybe I should moving forward
I do sometimes use chatgpt to review my draft answers to application questions or cover letters to see if it thinks I’m answering the question well.

It’s just I’ve seen some recruiters say it’s still really obvious when people use chatgpt and those applications go straight in the bin, so trying to rely less on it. Even if I paraphrase words and copy chatgpt’s suggested template answer I’m paranoid recruiters might still be able to tell I’ve used it

Are you using things like the guaranteed interview scheme / asking for any adjustments in terms of interview? (I am making assumptions based on your username and what you’ve said about networks)

Thanks, I have been lucky that my company offers the guaranteed interview scheme for disabled candidates.

This may be the reason why I’ve been shortlisted for every internal role I’ve applied for despite a weak CV

I also ask for extra time as an adjustment which they have kindly granted.

@ASDnocareer is your current employer connected with financial services?

@ASDnocareer sorry I can see you already said you do in a previous post. I am wondering if I recognise where you work. If you want to pm me where you work I might be able to offer some help or insights.