Career Pathway 3 – Compete
Last Updated: August 29th 2025
Career Pathway 3
Compete
You’ve made your decision and have a plan — now it’s time to take the next step.
Whether you’re applying for graduate jobs or a postgraduate course, standing out is key. Promote your strengths confidently and make your application count.
Changed your mind? No problem — you can revisit the Decide and Plan stages at any time.
Applying for a graduate job, scheme, or postgraduate course? You’ll need a tailored application that highlights your skills, experience, and motivation.
Your earlier research now pays off — it shows your commitment to the role or course. If shortlisted, you may face interviews or assessment centres.
Explore the tips and resources below to help you succeed.
- Follow all instructions carefully — tailor your application to the person specification using clear examples
- Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure responses
- Update your CV — a skills-based format works well unless told otherwise
- Prepare for interviews and assessment centres by researching the employer’s values and behaviours
- Key websites for support are My Career, Prospects, Target Jobs and Bright Network
- Visit the institution and speak to lecturers about course content and relevance for your career aspirations
- Read the institution’s guidance carefully and then tailor your application to show your passion and career focus
- Highlight relevant modules from your degree, your dissertation, and academic strengths using the STAR method
- Find support with applications on My Career and access the Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding
- More information on Prospects Postgraduate Study webpages
Most graduate jobs and courses involve interviews — often alongside other tasks or assessment centres.
Access Shortlist.Me directly, or via your My Career account , to practise interviews and other assessment tasks to build confidence in a safe, realistic setting.
You might choose to start a business, travel, or gain more experience.
Explore Prospects Self Employment and Target Jobs – Gap Year Ideas.
If you’re a current student or graduated within the last 3 years (from a Level 5 course or above) on the Birmingham Newman campus, log in or register to access your My Career account. This will allow you to:
- Explore resources in Pathways and Careers Discovery
- Practice interviews, assessments etc. on Shortlist.Me
- Access workshops and events
- Get job alerts graduate jobs, workplace experience, volunteering opportunities and part-time jobs
- Book a 1:1 appointment with a member of specialist careers staff
Any Questions? Email: careers@newman.ac.uk
Once you have successfully gained employment and/or a place on a postgraduate course, move on to the Sorted pathway.