DS struggling with graduate job search

billpotts · 2023-08-21T12:48:47+00:00

DS is finishing off a master's in a quantitative degree. He is really struggling with the job search. He gets interviews and can reach the final stages but has been unable to go from final stage to the job offer. Work experience - has no paid internships at companies. He did try to get them but was unsuccessful. He has tried and attended career insight events to learn about companies and careers etc. He has had a part time job for a couple of years now. A few months ago he had an AC for his dream role. He thought he did really well but the company unfortunately didn't offer him a position. DS just keeps on using his uni's career service for advice and trying to prepare.

beetr00 · 21/08/2023 16:21

Is he an analyst? @billpotts

If so, could this be of use? There are volumes on the net which offer all kinds of guidance for specialist roles. Good luck.

www.glassdoor.co.uk/Interview/quantitative-analyst-interview-questions-SRCH_KO0,20.htm

Cakeandslippers · 21/08/2023 16:35

Is he asking for feedback every time? If not then he should try that. He might just have been unlucky but the feedback might give him some good ideas for the things he could improve upon.

Original poster

billpotts · 21/08/2023 16:46

Cakeandslippers · 21/08/2023 16:35

Is he asking for feedback every time? If not then he should try that. He might just have been unlucky but the feedback might give him some good ideas for the things he could improve upon.

Yep he's asked for feedback and received it each time. (Bar one)

OP posts:

Cakeandslippers · 21/08/2023 16:52

Based on what you've said, and assuming he's acting on the feedback, it sounds like he is doing all the right things but it's hard to give more advice without more context. It sounds like it might be a competitive field, hopefully he'll have more luck soon.

logicisall · 21/08/2023 20:29

As a pp said, more context is needed. The University's careers service will have info on the destinations of previous graduates on your DS's degree course which could help him determine whether he is too narrowly focused on certain sectors.

Were there areas of commonality in the less positive comments? Every single candidate called for interview has the qualifications for the job, but the interview sorts out those who can bring added value/experience to the employer. During interview, can he show how what he has done previously (in any field) can be utilised in the job he is going for?

Finally, not every graduate steps smoothly into their dream job. DS could also be looking for jobs with the potential to lead to his dream job. I do hope he is successful soon!

Okisenough · 28/08/2023 15:17

As he is in contact with his university careers service, ask him to ask them about getting a mentor within the field he wants to get into. They can really help with giving insight and understanding about what these companies are looking for and help with interview preparation and confidence. If the careers service can't help, it can be worth approaching companies themselves.

SageFennel · 03/09/2023 12:03

It takes time. He will get there eventually it's just so demoralising getting constant rejections.
DS2 graduated and came home before he applied for anything. He got a job at the local Tescos while applying for graduate roles (the Tesco job search was just as difficult). He must have applied for everything going, grad schemes as well as jobs aimed at grad level. After 8 months he got a grad scheme he really liked and took, and ironically a week later got offered a civil service fast track scheme. post which he declined.
Maybe suggest he takes a break from applying and finds a temporary low level job back home?

Original poster

billpotts · 03/09/2023 12:11

SageFennel · 03/09/2023 12:03

It takes time. He will get there eventually it's just so demoralising getting constant rejections.
DS2 graduated and came home before he applied for anything. He got a job at the local Tescos while applying for graduate roles (the Tesco job search was just as difficult). He must have applied for everything going, grad schemes as well as jobs aimed at grad level. After 8 months he got a grad scheme he really liked and took, and ironically a week later got offered a civil service fast track scheme. post which he declined.
Maybe suggest he takes a break from applying and finds a temporary low level job back home?

Good idea. He will be finishing his thesis soon.

He can go back to the PT job he had at home, the manager is happy to have him.

OP posts:

SageFennel · 03/09/2023 13:22

I don't think it's unusual to take along time to find the right role. Among the friends of my DC many took a year or two to land that "proper" job.
A break from applications would do him the world of good and he could start again in a few months.
DS found his customer facing roles in various jobs came in handy for material for job interviews. The "how did you deal with x scenario" kind of question.
Neither of my DC found uni careers much help. though I can't suggest much else unless you are able to critique his applications?

HFJ · 13/09/2023 19:56

What is his field of expertise? ‘Quantitative’ could mean a whole host of things. If he’s ever learned and used used programming skills, he’d have a lot of luck getting into IT service management as a project coordinator, for example. This field is crying out for intelligent people to the extent that referrals from existing colleagues lead to quite tasty bonuses.

However, we are on the verge of a major recession I believe. Paid internships are like golddust. Employers are pulling up the drawbridge and have always been reticent to employ a complete newb if it means they have to train them.

My recommendation is to plunder all family and friends’ connections in industry for the chance of work experience (unpaid, sorry) that can provide a vital reference for the field of work he is looking to go into.

There’s also nothing to stop him being creative by approaching an NGO or charity to offer his services probono (if he’s a statistician, for example) for a project. Again, this would help to boost a CV that is at risk of having only part-time work on it, or, worse still, a GAP which is difficult to recover from.

Another top tip I’ve learned is to pick up the phone and call someone about a CV that is submitted. For some reason, ‘I just wanted to check you had recieved it’ puts a friendly voice to a name and a sheet of paper that then puts the applicant at the forefront of the HR official’s mind.

It would be useful to know the kinds of questions he’s being asked and how he’s answering them. Some quants really struggle to be personable at the crucial interview stage. Some companies accept that quite often brilliant people lack social skills and will put in place training to bring them up to speed on what is needed. This, I think, is highly inclusive, but not all companies do this.

Totaly · 13/09/2023 19:59

Have you asked him the type of questions he’s asked?

Things like tell me about your self is about his degree and work experience and what he wants to achieve - not Dave from Redditch.

When you know the questions look up the answers.

Original poster

billpotts · 13/09/2023 20:19

HFJ · 13/09/2023 19:56

What is his field of expertise? ‘Quantitative’ could mean a whole host of things. If he’s ever learned and used used programming skills, he’d have a lot of luck getting into IT service management as a project coordinator, for example. This field is crying out for intelligent people to the extent that referrals from existing colleagues lead to quite tasty bonuses.

However, we are on the verge of a major recession I believe. Paid internships are like golddust. Employers are pulling up the drawbridge and have always been reticent to employ a complete newb if it means they have to train them.

My recommendation is to plunder all family and friends’ connections in industry for the chance of work experience (unpaid, sorry) that can provide a vital reference for the field of work he is looking to go into.

There’s also nothing to stop him being creative by approaching an NGO or charity to offer his services probono (if he’s a statistician, for example) for a project. Again, this would help to boost a CV that is at risk of having only part-time work on it, or, worse still, a GAP which is difficult to recover from.

Another top tip I’ve learned is to pick up the phone and call someone about a CV that is submitted. For some reason, ‘I just wanted to check you had recieved it’ puts a friendly voice to a name and a sheet of paper that then puts the applicant at the forefront of the HR official’s mind.

It would be useful to know the kinds of questions he’s being asked and how he’s answering them. Some quants really struggle to be personable at the crucial interview stage. Some companies accept that quite often brilliant people lack social skills and will put in place training to bring them up to speed on what is needed. This, I think, is highly inclusive, but not all companies do this.

He's an economist.

OP posts:

HFJ · 14/09/2023 07:17

Ok same as one of my sons who is in the last year of study. Tbh I am getting ready to suggest accountancy or actuarial science and then later specialisation of work once a few years in industry built up. It would be annoying, but the facts are that few graduates actually get to apply their academic specialisations from the off.