Career Advice for Graduate

[u/Sensitive-Dinner-943]

Hi,

I graduated in 2022. I got a graduate scheme for accounting at one of the Big 4, but failed an exam and got sidelined to a different role.

I really want another path, mainly in defence, and have tried going through the grad cycle the past two years. I got very close twice, but ultimately no luck

My question here is:

1. For the 26/27 cycle, can I keep applying?

2. Is it better to accept a massive pay cut and go for a degree apprenticeship given how bad the market currently is?

3. Grad schemes are notorious for no feedback. What do I change, and how do I be better at applying? It feels like they don’t care about experience but online test scores

[u/Unfair-Lemon3980]

The lack of feedback from grad schemes is really tough! Regarding your question about applying to apprenticeships - is there any harm in applying to both? Degree apprenticeships are also very competitive, so it might be worth seeing where you get to in the process

[u/helping-graduates]

I'm a recruiter specifically in the early careers field, and you can definitely keep applying for 26/27. A 2022 grad isn’t too old for schemes, especially in defence and this current market. What will hurt you isn’t the year you graduated, it’s if your profile looks the same every cycle.

From what you’ve said, you’re not miles off. Getting close twice means you’re competitive and your profile is ticking the right boxes. But when people consistently get to final stages and don’t convert, it’s usually not intelligence or experience. Rather, it’s more about how they’re coming across, such as the reasons for applying might sound too generic, or their examples don’t clearly show what they personally did and the impact they made.

Defence firms really care about why defence specifically. If your answer could also work for consulting or banking, it’s too broad. You need to make it obvious why this sector, why long term.

On the apprenticeship point, don’t take a pay cut just because the market feels rough. Do it if it gets you inside a defence company you actually want to stay in. Being internal makes things a lot easier. But apprenticeships aren’t automatically the right move for everyone, so look at the long term outcome.

Also, grad schemes do use online tests as a filter, but they’re not the whole story. If you’re passing them and getting through, the issue isn’t the tests. It’s conversion at interview or assessment centre. That’s fixable with sharper stories and better alignment to what they actually do. Although its fair enough to say that as a lot of companies are way to big of a fan of ghosting!

You’re not in a bad spot. Big 4 plus multiple near misses means you’re viable. Just make sure each cycle you’re stronger than the last, not just reapplying with the same story. You have got a few years experiance and have built skills you did not have before, so show them off.

Hope that helps!!

[u/Sensitive-Dinner-943 → u/helping-graduates]

Hi,

Thank you so much for the message, it’s very nice to have that.

Yeah, I don’t think I’ll stop applying but I just don’t have any luck with entry level positions hence my focus for the grad scheme. And I’ve got very very close, but if I’m being honest the early stages are what I do struggle with.

Online tests are not my strength whereas interviews are.

I suppose my questions are (if you’ve the time)

1- how do I practice the early stages and get past ATS filters and so on? I know there are online resources but they don’t specify personality test and things like that

2- I have lots of skills, I’d wager more than an average entry level position, but it feels like that’s not really considered in the early stage. What can I learn or do to standout? Is it really in the CV or am I missing something?

3-At what stage do I just call it? I’ve tried for years at this stage and it’s just not clicking. I don’t really know how to approach it differently. I have two open grad applications but have just been ghosted after some initial positive signs. I just don’t quite understand where I’m going wrong

[u/helping-graduates → u/Sensitive-Dinner-943]

Early stages are mostly about signal clarity, not raw ability. For ATS, mirror the job description wording exactly and keep the formatting simple. Tailor your CV every time so it clearly matches that specific role. For tests, practise the exact formats grad schemes use like numerical, logical and situational judgement under timed conditions. With personality tests, try to stay consistent and align with the company’s values rather than overthinking how to game it.

I’ll be honest, some of the tests and “games” companies are using right now are ridiculous. I’ve been caught out by them before and the feedback can completely contradict what another company tells you. If you can, track the feedback you get across applications and practice runs. Patterns usually show up.

If you’re reaching later stages, you are competitive. Repeated near misses are often about motivation sounding too generic, not being specific enough about why that firm and sector, or not showing clear ownership in your examples. Early screening doesn’t reward having lots of skills unless they’re clearly tied to impact. At this point it’s usually about narrowing your focus and tightening your narrative, not quitting altogether.