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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Jedidajah Otte

‘Like throwing myself at a wall’: UK graduates struggle in ‘insane’ job market

Students in their graduation gowns
More than 30% of graduates aged 21-30 were in non-graduate work or unemployed last year. Photograph: Chris Radburn/PA

“The job market is so insane right now. I’ve got work experience and internships from the UK, Paris and Hong Kong. I’ve taken courses, networked and am working in an admin job to try to get more skills, after no luck with applications.”

Having graduated from the University of Oxford with a first class BA in English and French last year, Emma*, a 23-year-old from London, said she has been on the hunt for a graduate job in publishing and adjacent industries since. She is now sending out five applications a week, alongside a full-time job, and has so far secured just four interviews and an offer of a minimum wage internship – which was retracted.

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