For many graduates, leaving university should feel exciting. Years of study, assignments, exams, deadlines and hard work have all led to this point where they start their career. However, graduate unemployment is rising with not enough jobs for those who are entering the labour market.
For many young people, the reality feels more uncertain. The graduate job market is competitive, and graduate unemployment continues to be a concern for students, parents, universities and employers. A degree is still valuable, but in today’s entry-level job market, it is not always enough on its own to help someone stand out.
Employers are now looking for more than academic achievement, they want to see communication skills, confidence, resilience, reliability, problem-solving ability, initiative and evidence that someone understands the world of work.
Why work experience while studying can make such a difference
The Saturday job, the summer role, the few hours a week in hospitality, retail, care, customer service, administration or events. The volunteering, work experience and helping out in a family business.
At the time, these jobs may not feel like they link to a future career. A student studying finance may not think their café job is relevant. A marketing graduate may not see the value in a summer role working on a reception desk. A future HR professional may not realise how much they are learning from dealing with customers, colleagues and managers every week.
But employers do see it……
- They see someone who has turned up on time.
- They see someone who has balanced study, work and life.
- They see someone who has handled responsibility.
- They see someone who has dealt with people.
- They see someone who understands pressure, teamwork, expectations and communication.
These small experiences help build employability skills.
One of the biggest challenges many graduates face in interviews is not that they lack ability. It is that they struggle to give real examples. They may know what they have studied. They may be bright, capable and ambitious. But when asked about a time they have handled pressure, resolved a problem, dealt with a difficult person, worked in a team or managed competing priorities, they can find it difficult to answer if they have not had much exposure to workplace situations.
Working whilst studying helps to change that, it gives graduates stories to tell as a part-time job can show resilience, volunteering can show commitment, a customer-facing role can show communication skills, seasonal work can show flexibility and a work placement can show career focus. As well as balancing shifts with university deadlines showing your time management.
These are the examples that help a CV feel more rounded and an interview feel more confident. The job role itself does not have to be perfect and it doesn’t have to be directly linked to a degree. It does’nt have to sound impressive on paper either, It just needs to teach them something.
Why part-time jobs matter for graduate careers
Part-time jobs for students can play a much bigger role in future career success than many people realise.
A role in retail, hospitality, customer service, care, administration or events may not be the long-term career goal, but it can help students build the skills employers look for when recruiting for graduate jobs and entry-level roles.
These roles often involve dealing with customers, solving problems, working under pressure, managing time, communicating clearly and being part of a team. These are all skills that matter in almost every workplace.
For students, the message is simple: do not dismiss the experience you are gaining now.
That part-time job may not be your dream career, but it could help you secure it. Keep a note of what you are learning. Think about the skills you are building. Reflect on the moments where you have handled responsibility, supported someone, solved a problem or stepped outside your comfort zone. Those moments matter.
What employers should look for when hiring graduates
For employers, there is also an important message. Do not overlook graduates who have worked through university simply because their experience does not directly match your industry.
A young person who has shown commitment, maturity, people skills and resilience may have huge potential. They may not have years of direct experience yet, but they may already understand what it means to work hard, communicate well, learn quickly and take responsibility.
Technical skills can often be trained.
Attitude, reliability, work ethic and willingness to learn are much harder to teach.
The graduate job market may be challenging, but small experiences can still create big opportunities. Every shift, every placement, every voluntary role and every interaction can help a young person build confidence, develop employability skills and understand what it means to be part of a workplace.
A degree can open doors. But often, it is the experience gained along the way that helps someone walk through them.
If you are a graduate looking for temporary work whilst you are studying or your first career opportunity, or an employer looking to recruit entry-level talent with the right attitude and potential, KD Recruitment can help.
We work with candidates and employers across North and East Yorkshire, supporting people to find roles where they can grow, develop and build long-term careers. Get in touch with one of our team for more information.
Related reading
If you found this useful, you may also want to read:
Why Soft Skills Matter: Career Advice from KD Recruitment
A helpful guide to the personal qualities employers are looking for beyond qualifications.
The Rise of Skill-Based Hiring: Moving Beyond Traditional Qualifications
A deeper look at why employers are focusing more on capability, potential and transferable skills.
How to Answer Values-Based Competency Questions in Interviews
Useful for graduates who want to turn part-time work, volunteering or placement experience into strong interview answers.
The Dos and Don’ts of Networking for Career Success
A good next read for students and graduates starting to build confidence and professional connections.