Congratulations on your graduation! University life is officially over, and now come the big questions: How do I get a job in 2025, and which skills are most important for employers?
According to Economic Times, graduates face intense competition: an average of 140 applications per graduate vacancy, with many young graduates feeling under or unemployed. This means that graduates currently applying for jobs need to make their applications stronger and conduct more detailed research on the companies they are applying for.
Although graduate roles are available in every sector, vacancies are higher in those two sectors, according to Prospects:
- Public sector: recruitment into prisons, probation, teaching, health and social care is expected to rise, driven by government initiatives
- Digital & green sectors: tech, cybersecurity, AI, and sustainability roles are growing fast—employers are shifting toward skill-based hiring rather than relying solely on degrees .
When it comes to developing the right skills for the graduate market, everyone talks about the importance of the soft skills. The World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025 offers solid proof. While technological proficiency and tangible technological skills are projected to grow in importance more rapidly than any other type of skills ( AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity and technological literacy), socio-emotional attitudes and soft skills (resilience, flexibility, and agility, along with curiosity and lifelong learning ) are also huge sells for hiring employers in 2025 and the next few years.
As an early-career or entry-level candidate, some skills to pay attention to include leadership and social influence, talent management, analytical thinking, and environmental stewardship. The workforce of 2025 must be not just digitally literate, but emotionally intelligent, creatively driven, and socially agile. Soft skills are no longer “nice-to-haves”, rather they are fundamental to professional relevance and career resilience.
We know it can be extremely daunting applying for graduate roles, so hopefully those tips will help make the journey slightly easier:
- Broaden your scope: public sector roles and emerging green/tech industries may offer more opportunities.
- Boost soft & digital skills: pair your degree with certifications, projects, volunteer work, or internships/placements.
- Use AI smartly: experiment with tools for CV writing, but tailor applications to stand out personally.
- Leverage career services: actively engage with career advisors, participate in mock interviews and get your CV checked by experts
- Be persistent & strategic: apply widely, network effectively, and consider starting in roles that build toward your ideal job.
Good luck with your job search and applications and remember. the Careers team is here to offer any support you need even after graduation!
You can find more information on our webpage, MyJobsOnline or get in touch at careers@reading.ac.uk.
Author: Maria Papantoniou, Business Development Account Manager