Ideal time to apply for graduate jobs

DandyCaboodle

Hey everyone,

I'm currently in my 4th and final year of college and I was thinking of holding off on applying to jobs until after I graduate. I've been getting a few offers for graduate programmes and going through a few applications but they just eat up so much time that I feel like I should just focus on studying instead.

My question is, do you guys think there would be major downsides to this other than potentially taking another few weeks or months (hopefully not years) after graduating to go through applications and screening? Perhaps I'm underestimating this downside.

I'm aware that a lot of graduate programmes start recruiting very early to set people up with jobs right after they graduate but does that mean recruiting goes dark during the summer?

Clauric

DandyCaboodle wrote: »

Hey everyone,

I'm currently in my 4th and final year of college and I was thinking of holding off on applying to jobs until after I graduate. I've been getting a few offers for graduate programmes and going through a few applications but they just eat up so much time that I feel like I should just focus on studying instead.

My question is, do you guys think there would be major downsides to this other than potentially taking another few weeks or months (hopefully not years) after graduating to go through applications and screening? Perhaps I'm underestimating this downside.

I'm aware that a lot of graduate programmes start recruiting very early to set people up with jobs right after they graduate but does that mean recruiting goes dark during the summer?

I would have been off the same opinion as you regarding the graduate positions, and applying for them over the summer. So last year, I have them a miss (mostly).

I found out to my surprise that they don't hire during the summer, and I'm now applying for roles starting next Aug-Sept. I'd suggest that you apply for those that are still open (Vodafone, Accenture, etc) now, and if unsuccessful with those apply to the others next year.

DandyCaboodle

Thanks a lot for the response, man but I'm not happy to hear that. I'm currently waiting on feedback to one of my applications and I don't know if I'll have time to be going through more + assessment centers.

Good luck to you on those roles you're looking to get into.

freeze4real

Don't wait for feedback. Apply to all.

I foolishly started to apply the week I had my final exams and made it difficult for myself.

Some companies will also hire over the summer but these positions will be few.

DandyCaboodle

Yeah, it was definitely a great idea to apply early. Thankfully, I managed to ace an assessment centre and now currently waiting on a job offer so thanks again for the responses.

It's a little stressful having to deal with college deadlines along with applications but it was all worth it in the end.

npeplow

the only 'ideal time' is ASAP! Dont wait till it nears the deadline as its highly likely that the roles have already been filled - most companies start interviewing as the CV's come in. You can easily see when applications open by searching on the usual graduate sites like milkround.com, graduate-jobs.com or Graduate Job etc. Most are all the same and have it listed if you look into the specific roles

Generally though, most companies start recruiting in october and wrap up around february - you might find that's the best time to apply