Approaching companies as a recent graduate
Discussion
I had a position on the graduate scheme of a large IT/services firm and was due to start earlier this month. They Stipulated I required a 2:1, but I missed out and ended up with a 2:2. Fair enough, they didn't want to take me on, getting a 2:1 was part of the deal so I can't really complain.
I studied Computer Science at a pretty decent uni, and the course managed to kill any interest I had in programming or anything deeply technical. I think I'm much better suited to a role where I'd need to understand technical concepts, but not necessarily sit around coding all day.
Fast forward to now and I've been having problems getting my foot in the door, so to speak. When I have had interviews I haven't had a problem, I was previously offered a role at one company (which I rather stupidly declined) because I was in the final stages of selection for a much better role at another company. There I made it to the final three, with the other two candidates getting chosen. They talked about the possibility of a role in a month or so, but to be honest being unemployed is tedious and I want to pursue other avenues.
I managed to scored in the top 20% of graduates for verbal reasoning and top 40% for numerical reasoning in selection tests, so combined with my past success (if it wasn't luck!) with the two previous selection processes, hopefully shows that I'm not a total doofus!
I'm keen to start a career, I preferably want to specialise in an industry (although not sure which, entirely) and pursue professional qualifications/memberships. Even if it means I have to pay for them myself. I think practically, am under no illusion that I'll have to work hard and have a pretty keen eye for detail.
How do I put this enthusiasm across to employers? Cover letters have been having little success, obviously the big places such will have strict 2.1 requirements, but am I being too naive in thinking that smaller companies would consider somebody with a 2:2? I think my CV is fairly strong (apart from the degree class), I have a bit of work experience (over a year in first-line IT support) and was involved in my fair share of extra-curricular stuff at Uni.
Any advice? Or should I just prepare myself for a life of window cleaning?
I studied Computer Science at a pretty decent uni, and the course managed to kill any interest I had in programming or anything deeply technical. I think I'm much better suited to a role where I'd need to understand technical concepts, but not necessarily sit around coding all day.
Fast forward to now and I've been having problems getting my foot in the door, so to speak. When I have had interviews I haven't had a problem, I was previously offered a role at one company (which I rather stupidly declined) because I was in the final stages of selection for a much better role at another company. There I made it to the final three, with the other two candidates getting chosen. They talked about the possibility of a role in a month or so, but to be honest being unemployed is tedious and I want to pursue other avenues.
I managed to scored in the top 20% of graduates for verbal reasoning and top 40% for numerical reasoning in selection tests, so combined with my past success (if it wasn't luck!) with the two previous selection processes, hopefully shows that I'm not a total doofus!
I'm keen to start a career, I preferably want to specialise in an industry (although not sure which, entirely) and pursue professional qualifications/memberships. Even if it means I have to pay for them myself. I think practically, am under no illusion that I'll have to work hard and have a pretty keen eye for detail.
How do I put this enthusiasm across to employers? Cover letters have been having little success, obviously the big places such will have strict 2.1 requirements, but am I being too naive in thinking that smaller companies would consider somebody with a 2:2? I think my CV is fairly strong (apart from the degree class), I have a bit of work experience (over a year in first-line IT support) and was involved in my fair share of extra-curricular stuff at Uni.
Any advice? Or should I just prepare myself for a life of window cleaning?
Hate to say it but you could be competing with more experienced candidates, a graduate role could be getting applications from recently redundant people who would normally be aiming for the next role up. Dont let this put you off though look at small companies, local charities anything else to improve your CV. Also if you do get a role with a small company stepping stone out as soon as you can.
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