As you’ve probably seen splashed across recent headlines, the job market for graduates and school leavers in the UK feels tougher than it has in years.
According to Adzuna, graduate roles, apprenticeships and junior positions fell 6.8% in July 2025, dropping to their lowest level in five years. This means young people entering the workforce face not only fewer opportunities but also a more competitive job market.
While we don’t recruit for graduate or school-leaver roles, we’re often asked by clients – particularly parents thinking about their children’s next steps – for guidance on how to get started on that all important career ladder.
Having been in those shoes ourselves, we wanted to share some clear, practical tips to help entry-level job seekers. Drawing on our experience as recruiters, here’s how to give yourself the best chance of success in today’s challenging market.
The Reality of Today’s Market
At the moment, entry-level vacancies account for 21.9% of all UK job listings. This is the lowest share since 2019. Junior roles have fallen by more than a third since November 2022, while graduate jobs are still down by over a quarter year-on-year (despite a small uptick in July of this year).
What does this mean? Many graduates are now sending off dozens of applications before landing an interview. It’s enough to feel discouraging, but it also means how you present yourself, your skills, and the way you apply can really set you apart.
Get Your First Impression Right
In a crowded market, your CV and cover letter are often your only chance to make a first impression. You’ve probably heard the stat before: recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds reviewing a CV before deciding whether to shortlist a candidate – we know this doesn’t seem fair but that’s just the way it is.
From our experience helping candidates succeed, these are the tips we recommend:
- Keep it concise: Two pages or less is ideal.
- Use active language and quantify achievements: For example, “boosted engagement by 30%” packs more punch than “helped with social media.”
- Show your work: If you’re in a creative or digital field, a portfolio is essential. Platforms like Behance and GitHub are great places to start.
Go Beyond Qualifications
It’s no secret anymore: a degree on its own isn’t enough to make you stand out anymore. Employers are increasingly prioritising soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and adaptability.
Luckily, you can show these off even without years of work experience. Real-life examples like internships, group projects, or volunteering carry real weight.
For instance, leading a student society can highlight leadership and organisational skills, while helping out at a community event can showcase teamwork and adaptability.
Not Just a Buzzword: Using AI to Get Ahead
AI is reshaping industries, and entry-level jobs are feeling the impact.
We’re not here to fuel the doom-and-gloom headlines, but it’s worth noting the Big Four (Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC) have cut hundreds of graduate roles in recent years as AI adoption accelerates.
Instead of ignoring this trend, what you can do is show you can use AI productively (whether for research, drafting content, or analysing data). Employers value adaptable and future-ready candidates, and a bit of AI literacy could be just the thing that makes you stand out.
Show What You Can Do
Another way to boost your profile is through completing short online courses, micro-certifications, and personal projects, can all give you that extra edge. Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Google Certificates make it easy (and affordable) to learn new skills online.
What employers really love, though, is proof. A marketing graduate who whips up a mock campaign or an accounting graduate who builds a cash flow model is showing they can deliver from day one, something that often matters more than grades.
And the research backs this up: McKinsey & Company found that core skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and communication are linked to higher pay and better career satisfaction. Any extra skills you pick up are a bonus and showing that you’re eager to learn and grow can really make you stand out.
Personalise Your Application
We get it, everyone groans when they hear this one. But as recruitment experts, we can spot a generic CV or cover letter a mile off.
Want to catch the attention of the hiring manager? Do your homework. Reference the company’s values, acknowledge their challenges, or nod to something happening in their sector. Even small tweaks like tailoring your skills to match the job description can boost your chances of getting noticed.
And it’s not just about impressing people. Customising your resume and cover letter with the right keywords and skills helps you slip past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and land in front of an actual human. Give your application the best possible fighting chance!
Widen Your Horizon Beyond Popular Sectors
Not all sectors are shrinking. While healthcare and hospitality have been hit hard, others are thriving. According to Recruitics’ 2025 UK Labour Market insights, construction vacancies jumped 16% in July (the biggest monthly rise of any sector), and retail is also on the up.
Exploring opportunities in these areas or looking at roles where your skills transfer can widen your options and ease the competition.
Highlight Human Strengths
We’ve mentioned AI and automation are on the rise, but here’s the good news: employers still need creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking. Things a machine can’t truly replicate. During interviews and applications, show these qualities through real-life examples.
This blend of technical knowledge and human skills is exactly what employers are hunting for. As the Financial Times points out, with AI reshaping graduate roles, “uniquely human” abilities like problem-solving, adaptability, and strong communication are becoming even more valuable.
A Helping Hand on the Ladder
Yes, the graduate job market is tough. But standing out is still very much possible.
While we don’t usually recruit for entry-level roles, we wanted to share some tips to help young people understand the market and get on the career ladder!
If you’d like to find out more about what Sitka does and the types of roles we do recruit for you can explore our services here.
To find out how we can work with you, please drop us a line
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