The Ultimate Guide to Graduate Opportunities!

Your step-by-step guide to navigating graduate applications with confidence.

It’s application season! Graduate schemes are opening, internship opportunities are live, and many of you may be wondering where to start. I remember feeling overwhelmed trying to balance my final year, extracurriculars, my dissertation and job applications all at once. That’s why I wanted to share my experience and insights in what I’m calling The Ultimate Guide to Graduate Opportunities.

This will be a little different from my standard blog post as it will be a bit longer and I’ll organise it into a bit of background into me and my experiences and then dive into the juicy details that you’re really looking for.

Contents:

• My Graduate Journey

• Step 1 - Be organised

• Step 2 - Optimise your Application

• Step 3 - Prepare for interviews and assessments

• Bonus: NHS GMTS, 10KBI Programme

• Final Reflections/ Key Takeaways

Just to note, this is by no means a one-size-fits all blog and this is just a reflection of my own personal experiences and not professional advice. 

My Graduate Journey

For me, the final year of university was a busy year to say the least! I wanted to enjoy the social aspects as I'd be leaving uni life soon but I also wanted to do well academically and have a job lined up for when I graduated. Throughout this blog, I’ll be sharing reflective questions I asked myself along the way - feel free to pause and do the same.

Question 1 : what are your goals for the next 6-12 months? 

Do they align with your academic, professional and personal priorities?

Your goals influence how you proceed next. My goals were: First class degree, have job lined up post uni and have fun. Which I can now say all have been achieved! With clear goals in mind I was able to create a plan and organise - which is my first tip to secure that graduate position. 

Step 1: Be organised

Organisation is not just about time management - it reduces stress and gives you space to reflect, improve, and adapt as deadlines change.

Everyone works differently. I work with google calendar, planning in advance and trackers. Creating a clear plan with your goals in mind allows you to be prepared but flexible.

Question 2: What tools and process will you use to stay organised?

In my Google Calendar I always add my commitments first - lectures, work, extracurriculars; then I add time for social activities, life admin and the key part of this blog - application time. I ensured I had two hours a week to go through my tracker and tailor my applications

Application Process

I discussed my grad job hunt in my blog post on my Third Year reflections, but I will expand upon my points here.

itsultimatelyuni.wixsite.com

Third year - full of deadlines, job hunting and goodbyes.

By Chloe BFor me, my final year of university once felt so far away- I had no idea what it would actually look like. I expected to have no free time, caught in a cycle of working, studying, and applying for jobs. That’s partly true, but third year is so much more than that!The reality was, prioritising my time became more important than ever. Final year was a time where I had the power to make my dreams a reality whilst still enjoying the journey. I had to focus heavily on studying and assignmen

Firstly, I ensured I had an up to date CV with all my experiences - I called this a 'long CV' - with this I worked with my Employability Service to expand on key points, key words and use the STAR technique to expand on my skills, knowledge and experiences. (more on this later!) After finalising my long CV, it was a lot easier to tailor my CV to different jobs and pick the relevant experiences for each role I was applying for.

Secondly, having a professional presence on LinkedIn is key. Not saying you need to post all the time, but having an up to date education section, key professional and academic experiences and highlighting your own personal brand and values will help you stand out. There's no point adding a link to a blank LinkedIn page to your CV it needs to showcase all things ultimately YOU!

Having a tracker

Now you have the foundations, a key part of the process was my tracker.This tracker helped me stay accountable and track my progress - and it made rejection easier to handle because I could see how far I’d come and what I could improve next by utilising feedback. This is a template tracker below but I have also attached a screenshot of the one I used. 

A screenshot of my tracker can be seen in my Third Year blog post linked above!

Company	Industry	Job role	Link to application	DEADLINE	CV optimised?	Cover Letter Optimised?	Applied?	Progress	Feedback/ Notes
Company 1	Healthcare	Management Trainee	Link	Nov 1 2025	Y	N/A	Y	Applied ✅ Need to complete Assessment 1

The tracker then correlated with folders on my laptop.

📁Job Applications

>📁Job Example 1

📄Word Doc with Job Description

📄Optimised CV

📄Optimised Cover Letter

📄Word Doc with your submitted application

📄Any other information they give you/ further stages.

>📁Job Example 2

When applying it is more beneficial to have 10 solid, tailored applications than 50 generic ones. 

Step 2: Optimise your Application

Tailored CVs, cover letters and applications help align yourself with the company, role and help you stand out. It's the longest part of the process and will be harder than attaching a generic CV to an application but an optimised application that has taken time and effort is more valuable to you and the company. It also helps you as an applicant because if their values don't align with you or your vision then don't apply to that company!

Tailoring your application

In my opinion, there are three key questions everyone should ask themselves during any application. 

As you’re writing a Personal Statement, Motivational statement or Cover Letter address:

a.       Your Motivations/ Aspirations

b.       What makes you a good fit (passion, skills, experience)

c.       How you will contribute to the industry/ team/ company 

The mantra of 'WHY do I want this role?' and 'HOW can I make a difference?' should be in the back of your mind at every stage.

Your CV

You already have your 'Long CV', but now for every job it's important to add the relevant experience you need for that specific job role.

"But some job roles don't require my CV or Cover Letter- What now?"

Well, every application somewhere you will have to explain your experiences and why you want the role and all the tips I've mentioned are transferrable.

The STAR Technique

Shout out to the ARU Employability Service for this one. The star technique is as follows:

Image from: How to Use the STAR Method Technique for Interview Questions

Many people have heard of the STAR Technique which is referred to a lot as an interview tool but I use it in applications to structure my answers in CVs, Cover Letters and Assessed Presentations. The CAR Technique is very similar and instead of separating the situation and task, it sets the scent with context over the challenge you faced.

The reasoning behind this technique is storytelling -Help the interviewer visualise you in the role. My suggestion is to practice this with your CV. Pick out an experience and apply the CAR/STAR techniques to one of your experiences to demonstrate impact.

Example:

NOT STAR/CAR: 'At university I was a Lab Demonstrator once a month, supporting academic staff in aiding my junior peers for their lab sessions'

STAR/CAR: In my Final year of Medical Science, I was asked to be a Lab Demonstrator which entailed being a role model to younger peers, supporting my academic staff and enhancing my leadership and mentoring capabilities. During sessions, I would set up equipment, answer questions from my peers and enable the smooth running of a Lab session. Through this role I was able to positively contribute to my Faculty whilst enhancing my own skills and knowledge to aid in my career development as a future leader.

Question 3: How can you use your experiences to demonstrate your skills and knowledge using these techniques?

Step 3: Prepare for Interviews & Assessments

I’ve learned that interviews are not just about rehearsing answers - they’re about showing personality, enthusiasm, and curiosity. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s connection. Turning what feels like a daunting interview into a friendly conversation helps calm your nerves and lets your authentic self shine through.

I’ve never had two interviews that were exactly the same. You can prepare thoroughly, but on the day, it will always feel slightly different and that’s okay. I’ve also found that online and in-person interviews each require different approaches. However, there are key steps you can take before, during, and after an interview to put your best foot forward.

Before an interview

• Research the company - understand their values, mission, and recent projects.

• Practice common interview questions using specific examples (STAR/CAR method).

• Prepare 2-3 thoughtful questions to ask at the end.

• Bring a bottle of water - taking small sips gives you a moment to think before answering.

• Bring a notebook with key experiences or achievements to refer to.

• Print any information or instructions they’ve sent you.

Question 4: What experiences do you have that demonstrate a variety of skills and experiences?

During an interview

Most interviews follow a similar structure. You’ll usually start with a “Tell me about yourself” question, followed by:

• Skills- and experience-based questions

• Role- or industry-specific questions

• A chance for you to ask questions at the end

  
  

Remember:

• Make eye contact (or look at the camera if online).

• Smile and breathe - nerves are normal!

• Use storytelling (STAR/CAR) to make them see you in the role.

• Be YOU! — let your enthusiasm show.

If you are authentic, know your WHY and showcase your willingness to learn your passion will come through and you will connect with the interviewer.

Question 5: What is your WHY?

Why are you applying? Why are you interested? Why are YOU a good fit?

After an Interview

• Take five minutes immediately after to jot down the questions you were asked and any reflections.

• Follow up with a thank-you email expressing appreciation for the opportunity and reiterating your interest.

• Whether you’re successful or not, ask for feedback and record it. Over time, this will help you identify patterns and improve.

Common Interview Questions

This is not an exhaustive list but just a few questions I remember getting.

General questions:

• Tell me about yourself - your background, experiences, and unique strengths.

• Why this role or opportunity?

• Why this company or industry?

  
  

Competency questions:

• Tell me about a time you worked in a team with shared leadership.

• Describe a time when a project changed unexpectedly - how did you adapt?

• Tell me about the most challenging project you’ve worked on.

• Describe a time when everything went wrong and what you learned.

• Tell me about a time you took on a new responsibility.

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

• What does a typical day in this role look like?

• What projects might I be involved in?

• Why do you like the company?

• What's your background in this industry?

• What opportunities are there for development and progression?

• When can I expect to hear the outcome of the interview?

Assessment Centres

I’ve attended a few assessment centres that included group discussions, presentations, problem-solving exercises, and psychometric or situational tests. They can feel intense, but preparation makes a huge difference.

My key reflection is that both interviews and assessment centres are designed to assess your alignment with the company’s values, teamwork, and approach to problem-solving, not just technical knowledge. As a graduate or intern, employers know you’re still developing - they want to see your potential, your process, and how you work under pressure.

Brush up on mental arithmetic and situational judgement tests, and familiarise yourself with the specific process of each company. YouTube tutorials and LinkedIn connections can be incredibly helpful sources of insight. The more you know going in, the more confident you’ll feel on the day!

BONUS: NHS GMTS & 10KBI Programme

Part of the reason I wanted to create this guide was because of the number of LinkedIn messages I’ve received asking for specific advice on applying to the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme (GMTS) and the 10,000 Black Interns (10KBI) Programme.

The NHS GMTS - my experience and tips

I have recently joined the NHS Graduate Management Training Programme. A national programme that recruits around 150 future leaders every year across General Management, Finance, Human Resources and Health Informatics.

I chose the General Management stream and am currently completing my first placement in General Surgery and Gastroenterology, with a second placement in Discharge Planning and Transformation. Between these, I’ll undertake an eight-week flexi-placement to gain additional experience and fulfil my work based competencies. Alongside my work, I’m also studying for a Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Leadership.

The programme is multifaceted — I attend national events, educational residentials, and network with current trainees and alumni. Two essential skills for success on the scheme are resilience and curiosity. Working in the NHS is unlike any other environment I've been in, and these skills have helped me build my foundation and adapt quickly.

In my year, over 35,000 people applied for just 150 places, so it’s extremely competitive. While I can’t share specific questions, here are my top tips:

Top Tips:

1. Know the NHS Values and demonstrate how you align with them.

2. Prepare for the Situational Judgement Test - SJT and Numeracy Tests

3. Research what the scheme entails - including your stream, education commitments, placement structure.

4. Take your time with each stage; the process gives you space between tasks, so use it to reflect and prepare.

5. Be YOU! - be authentic, your genuine passion for healthcare and leadership always comes through.

Virtual Assessment Centre

The assessment centre lasted around four hours and included an interview, an individual task, and a group exercise. I can't go into detail but you’ll need to demonstrate teamwork, clear reasoning, and strong written and verbal communication.

The NHS GMTS offers excellent development opportunities for future leader in healthcare. So far, it has provided me with a new-found resilience, knowledge and exposure to many aspects of the NHS. The 20-day orientation period at the start of the programme allowed me to shadow teams in catering, portering, A&E, theatres, endoscopy and meet with execs and senior leaders. It gave me invaluable insight into how Trusts operate, their values, and the challenges they face.

📅 Applications for the 2025 intake close on 29th October 2025.

If you’re unsure whether to apply — just apply! You never know where it might take you.

The 10KBI Programme - my experience and tips

The 10,000 Interns Foundation creates thousand of opportunities every year for university students and graduates to gain experiences in industries where Black talent has been historically underrepresented. The programme offers not only internships but also professional development webinars, networking events, and an empowering community of mentors and peers.

I have been privileged enough to be part of the programme in 2024 and 2025. Completing internships in Marketing at Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Client Services at Blackbridge Communications. Both transformative experiences which opened doors and equipped me with the skills and confidence for my career as a future leader.

The application process is straightforward: submit an application form, your CV, and three 250-word motivational statements for each industry you’re interested in.

Top tips:

1. Use the STAR Technique and connect every example back to your WHY — why this industry, and what skills you bring.

2. Identify the three sectors you’re most interested in and list your relevant experiences for each.

3. Be specific - your motivational statements should demonstrate your enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to learn.

4. Tailor your CV as discussed earlier. If you’re applying across different sectors, highlight transferable skills on your CV and show focused passion in your statements.

📅 Applications are still open- Apply Now!

10,000 Black Interns Application Form

Reflection and Key Takeaways

Graduate life looks different for everyone. Developing your own process, tracking progress and reflecting on feedback will help you build discipline and momentum to secure that graduate role!

Rejection is a part of this process -  I’ve had moments where I felt certain I’d found the role for me, only to fall short at the final stage. But every experience helped me grow and refine my sense of what truly fits. Graduate job searching isn’t just about getting a job - it’s about finding the right job for your skills, values, and long-term goals.

💭 Final Reflection: What have you learned about yourself through this process so far? Are you pursuing opportunities that truly align with your values, motivations, and vision for your future?

Here at Ultimately Uni, we’re so proud of our community. We love connecting with you and seeing you being, ultimately… YOU! Thank you for reading — and best of luck with your graduate journey!

Please feel free to reach out to me or the UU Team on itsultimatelyuni@gmail.com or drop us a message on LinkedIn!

Written By Chloe B