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Strategies for masters graduates to land top jobs
Jason Cook is Postgrad Solutions’ Graduate Careers Expert.
Question: 10 essential strategies for masters graduates to land a top job.
Answer: Searching for a job can be an arduous task, even for highly educated professionals. As a masters degree holder, you will be applying for more strategic, senior and specialised roles – positions that attract the highest calibre of applicants. The process is competitive, often taking three to six months to find the perfect job. Although the market is competitive, your advanced qualification gives you a significant edge.
Here are 10 effective, actionable strategies to cut through the noise and secure the job you truly want.
1. Define your target: Precision over volume
With a masters degree, scattergun applications are your enemy. Your expertise is highly specialised, so your search should be too.
Action: Carefully select roles where your expertise and specific thesis or research project tick the majority of the job description’s boxes. Stop ‘easy applying’ to hundreds of jobs you barely know; instead focus your energy on quality applications that truly align with your career plan.
2. Master the ATS: Tailoring is non-negotiable
Most employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to pre-screen applications, often rejecting up to 75% of CVs before a human sees them. This AI screening is looking for keywords, not narrative.
Action: Read the job description carefully and ensure your CV’s language, skills and experience directly mirror the keywords used in the advert. Structure your CV simply (no fancy graphics or hard-to-read layouts) to ensure the AI scanner can parse your credentials effectively.
Pro tip: If you have specific certifications or project experience relevant to the role, move them higher up your CV.
3. Embrace the gap: Continual skill-building
As a masters-level applicant, you are clearly motivated and academically minded. If a role you desire requires skills or experience you are missing, take immediate action to bridge that gap.
Action: Leverage online platforms (free or paid) for specialised training, gain real-life experience through targeted volunteering or take on a short-term, lower-level role to acquire the necessary skills. This demonstrates motivation and self-awareness to potential employers.
4. Build your digital brand: Your online shop window
Your LinkedIn profile, personal website or portfolio are the first places recruiters look after reviewing your CV. These need to sell the full story of your expertise and professional maturity.
Action: Ensure your LinkedIn profile is fully optimised, featuring a professional photo and a compelling headline that uses your target job titles, e.g. Strategy Consultant | Data Analyst | MSc Supply Chain Management. Use the ‘Featured’ section to showcase relevant academic papers, research projects or certifications.
5. Network authentically: The ‘who’ still matters
It remains an age-old truth that ‘it’s who you know, not just what you know’. Networking provides a path around the ATS and puts a human face to your qualifications.
Action: Attend industry-specific events, conferences and job fairs. Engage in meaningful, real-life conversations. This is your chance to directly showcase your expertise, soft skills and personality, potentially positioning you directly in front of the hiring decision-maker.
6. Prove your value: Focus on quantifiable results
Your masters degree confirms your ability to learn and research; your work experience needs to demonstrate your ability to execute and deliver results.
Action: When tailoring your CV and during interviews, focus on the impact and metrics of your previous roles and academic projects. Use the STAR method (Situation, Test, Action, Result) to describe how your actions led to a measurable positive outcome, eg. Led a research project that reduced operational costs by 15% through data modelling.
7. Differentiate your application: The creative edge
Recruiters review hundreds of candidates who appear identical on paper. As a masters graduate, you need a high-impact way to stand out.
Action: Go beyond the tailored cover letter. Consider creating a personalised Loom video introducing yourself and directly explaining how your specific postgraduate specialisation solves a problem mentioned in the job description. This shows effort, confidence and modern communication skills.
8. Practice under pressure: Interview preparation
The interview is your final stage to sell yourself, and preparation is the only way to overcome nerves. Treat this like an academic assignment.
Action: Practice common interview questions aloud. Develop pre-prepared, concise responses that directly align with the job description. Prepare a list of insightful, strategic questions to ask the interviewer – questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role’s business impact.
9. Sustain the momentum: Effort over complacency
Applying for jobs can be repetitive and frustrating. Do not fall into the trap of ‘easy applying’ with generic documents simply because you’ve lost motivation.
Action: Stick rigidly to your plan (point 1 of my advice). Ensure that every application, no matter how tired you feel, receives that essential final effort of tailoring, proofreading and keyword optimisation. Remember, your goal is quality engagement, not quantity of submissions.
10. Close the loop: Strategic follow-up
The follow-up process is often overlooked but can be highly beneficial, especially post-interview.
Action: After your interview, send a prompt, professional thank-you email reaffirming your interest and briefly reiterating key values you can bring to the role. Where possible, seek constructive feedback on unsuccessful applications. Showing that you take feedback seriously is a huge advantage and will position you well for future opportunities with the same company.
