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Securing a first job in today’s climate can be challenging, with limited opportunities to accumulate experience and the overwhelming presence of AI-driven application systems complicating the job search for both candidates and employers. Despite these hurdles, many individuals have discovered strategies to differentiate themselves and successfully begin their careers.
One such example is Theresa Blair, a 24-year-old from Birmingham who graduated with a pharmacy master’s degree from Aston University in 2025. After completing a placement in project management, she shifted her career focus to that area. Initially, Theresa sent out hundreds of general applications with little response. She then changed her approach by customizing each CV specifically to the job description and company values, noting, “I realised I was sending very generic CVs to recruiters and that was making it harder to stand out from other applicants.” This tailored method helped her secure a full-time role in a bank’s customer service call centre before progressing to a project management position in London, despite the long commute. Her advice to others is to persist and trust that employers will eventually recognize the effort put into applications.
Callum Stevens from Somerset took a different route by actively networking with professionals already in his desired field. After earning a computer science degree from the University of the West of England, he expressed interest in transport planning by connecting on LinkedIn with an intern at Bristol City Council. This led to Callum securing a paid internship despite having no prior experience, attributing his success to demonstrating passion and willingness to learn. “While it’s not permanent, the experience has been invaluable,” he reflects. Callum encourages others not to undervalue temporary positions like internships because of their short-term nature.
Other tactics include gaining experience outside traditional employment channels. For instance, Joshua Hopkins from Glasgow highlighted how involvement in community roles, such as serving on a housing association board, made him stand out to potential employers by showing that young people can contribute fresh insights and add value beyond formal job roles. He suggests that taking initiative—whether through networking, volunteering, or skill-building courses—can lead to progress. Similarly, Clover Nelson from Leeds chose to bypass online applications by directly visiting shops and speaking to managers in person, which ultimately landed him a retail job after years of unemployment. He notes the importance of adding a personal touch during the job search, explaining, “There is no human element when applying online and it can make all the difference.”
In addition to these personal stories, Katherine Leopold, Employability Lead Tutor at Greenwich Business School, recommends applying with authenticity, demonstrating the impact of past experiences rather than merely listing skills, and focusing on quality over quantity when submitting applications. She emphasizes the value of building connections and engaging with employers beforehand, suggesting that such efforts often lead to better outcomes than mass applications
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