Our Top Tips for Landing a Grad Program After You Finish Uni

Find the grad job you SEEK 🤩

This article is presented in partnership with SEEK Grad.

Being in your final year of uni is a massive achievement, so congratulations.

And while you still might be laser focused on university before you graduate, on the horizon is the professional/corporate world waiting for you.

If you’re already thinking about applying for jobs next year, then good job! You’re one step ahead already.

If you’re specifically looking for a grad job to find your footing in the corporate world, check out SEEK Grad. It’s SEEK’s specialised online platform tailored to future grads.

Grad roles are competitive so how do you stand out? Here’s how to give yourself the best shot 👇

Start applying earlier than you think.

Most grad jobs open up applications way earlier than you think. This can be as early as months or even a year in advanced.

Big companies can start the recruitment process in March – May for roles starting in February 2027. And the process normally takes a few months.

Our tip? Start finessing your resume now (and note down your expected degree finish), set up some job alerts and keep an eye on companies you’re keen to work with so you know when their hiring process starts.

Apply strategically.

It can be tempting to apply everywhere just so you can land a grad job somewhere.

But this can sometimes work against you as lots of employers and recruiters can tell when you’ve copied and pasted the same cover letter over and over again.

Instead, research the company you’re applying for, understand what their grad rotations look like and tailor your application accordingly.

Plus, try to find the name of the hiring manager or recruiter for your position when you’re writing your cover letter instead of putting ‘to whom this may concern’.

Through SEEK Grad you can filter the roles you’re looking for through the type of job, the location and the discipline. This way you can refine your search to jobs you actually want to work in.

Show how you’ve made an impact on your resume.

Ever heard the saying “show not tell”?

Well, the same applies to when you’re writing your resume.

Show your potential employers what you can do rather than what you’re “responsible for”.

Rather than saying “worked in a retail team” you could say something like:

“worked in a team environment to help drive sales by engaging with customers and upselling products”

It’s also worthwhile to note down any numbers or statistics you can account for.

Highlight your transferable skills.

It’s hard applying for corporate jobs when you’re applying for your first one.

But the good thing is, everyone is in the same boat.

One thing that can set you apart from other applicants is highlighting any transferrable skills. These might be from your casual job, volunteer roles, internships or even uni group assignments.

And these could be skills like teamwork, problem solving or good communication.

Highlight why you want a role in a grad program.

Showing your why can set you apart.

No one wants to hear that someone is applying for a grad program because they “just need a job”.

Explain in your application why you want a grad role in a particular company.

Is it because you’re looking for experience across different teams? Do you want structured learning? Are you looking for exposure to a particular sector?

Being concise when it comes to your motivation always helps re-centre you and could help your application.

So don’t wait till next year, start applying or looking out for grad jobs now.

Head to SEEK Grad to find jobs tailored to students and recent grads looking to find their first professional job out of studying.