Your Masters, what next?: Getting a job

Find out how to put your skills to use and get a job after your Masters degree...

Studying a Masters demonstrates your commitment and capability towards completing an intensive and demanding qualification. If your Masters subject is related to your chosen profession, you will also have specialist knowledge and competency in that field.

What can I do with my Masters?

Masters-level graduates face the same competition as thousands of first degree graduates, but their chances of success are potentially increased by their postgraduate qualification, as this provides added value to their CV. Employers welcome the transferable skills as well as the more technical and vocational skills gained through specific Masters study.

However, completing a Masters does not mean you will automatically get a job over someone with a first degree; other experience and skills will be taken into account. It also doesn’t guarantee that you will enter the job at a higher level on a higher salary.

Masters degrees are required for certain jobs and are useful if you wish to change careers as they can provide you with specific required knowledge. They are also valued in Europe and other countries across the world.

To help you decide which sort of job you would like to do, take a look at what jobs would suit me (login required) and types of jobs.

How can I increase my chances of getting a job?

Employers value qualifications as well as skills and experience, and it is essential that you demonstrate how your Masters can be of use in the particular job you are applying for.

Your Masters will have provided you with specific skills that may be of a particular relevance to the job area. There will also be transferable skills picked up from the Masters course that will be an asset. These may include:

• communication skills (written) - written reports for different audiences or condensed and summarised lengthy research into a one-page document of key points;
• communication skills (oral) - delivered presentations or explained complex terminology to peers from different research or degree backgrounds;
• research methods - effectively searched journal databases, designed appropriate experimental or survey methods for data collection, or selected appropriate statistical methods for analysis;
• critical and analytical thinking - interpreted and drew conclusions from qualitative and quantitative data;
• planning and organisation - completed a dissertation, which required a realistic plan of action and the ability to prioritise the order of some tasks over others;
• teamwork - worked in a group and took responsibility for overseeing the work or ensured the success of the task;
• advanced IT skills - developed familiarity with specific software packages over the course of the Masters, e.g. SPSS in social science courses, MATLAB and SIMULINK for engineering and science, and FactSet for financial investment analysis.  

Ensure the skills you possess are clearly conveyed in your CV and cover letter. Don’t just list what you did in your Masters degree but really think about how your Masters will add value and help to solve critical issues within that organisation. Tailor your skills gained to the role and to the needs of that employer. For further ideas, see what skills do employers want?

Try a skills audit to effectively understand the skills you already have. This is a self-reflective process that enables you to identify your strengths and realise any gaps in your skills. Consider the skills you have gained through your present studies, key projects, other qualifications, past and present work experience and responsibilities, and achievements in leisure activities and hobbies. Consider your level of competency in each skill and how you might be able to develop any skills further. This could be through volunteering, paid work or short courses, for example.

Where can I find a job?

Job hunting requires a lot of preparation and organisation. For an in-depth guide to finding work, including job choice and the recruitment and selection process, see job hunting.

• Most employers do not have separate recruitment strategies for postgraduates. Exceptions are usually research-based opportunities, which can be found on specific websites, such as Jobs.ac.uk .
• Graduate schemes tend to be open for applications between September and December, although some employers recruit all year round. Carry out a graduate job search and look on your university careers website or on the individual company website for vacancies.
• Local and national newspapers, trade journals and recruitment agencies are other sources of vacancies.
• For a list of accredited recruitment agencies by location or specialist area, see the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)  or search Agency Central .
• Careers fairs are a great way of networking with employers and finding out more about available jobs. Large careers fairs tend to be held in the autumn term and then again in the summer.
• Be creative. Jobs advertised in the national press are likely to attract high levels of competition so uncovering unadvertised jobs through speculative applications and networking is advantageous.
• Attending business fairs or industry events is another way of meeting potential employers. Follow up any contact with an email or letter to enquire about potential vacancies. Send your CV, targeting it specifically at the company.