A Rough Ride: 600+ Applications

Take the real story of Caitlin Morgan, a Swansea graduate who applied for 647 jobs after finishing in 2023 and didn’t land her trainee accountant role until the 647th try—18 months later! She faced 150 straight rejections and 271 ghosting instances before hitting the assessment phase for 221 roles, finally reaching 5 final interviews and breaking through.

This isn’t a fluke. The Institute of Student Employers says there were around 140 applications per graduate job in 2024 - a record high that’s only climbing. In some cases, grads had to send hundreds - sometimes over a thousand -applications just to land a handful of interviews.

Why It's So Competitive

• More grads, fewer roles: Universities pump out almost a million grads annually, but vacancies haven't kept pace.
• AI filters: Recruiters increasingly rely on AI to scan CVs, which means tough competition - and your CV needs to beat the bots .
• Bigger firms = bigger rush: Hundreds apply for every opening at big multinationals, turning job hunts into a relentless numbers game .

Don't Lose Hope: SMEs & the South West Advantage

Here’s the silver lining: south west SMEs are hiring, and they want grads. Companies are actively recruiting across engineering, finance, business, marine tech, sustainability and more. 

The south west is dominated by SMEs and they can be a really smart career move. 

SMEs offer:

• Less competition: Big players attract big piles of applicants; small firms? Not so much.
• Bigger impact: You’ll do actual work, make real decisions, and stand out.
• Faster progression: SMEs often promote faster - and more openly - than giant corporations.

Final Takeaway

Yes, getting a graduate job right now can feel like running a marathon with ankle weights. Folks are applying into the high hundreds, facing AI bots and fierce competition. But south west SMEs offer a brighter, more reachable path - where your skills matter, contributions count, and hiring processes are speedier.

So widen your radar beyond grad schemes. Explore SMEs in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and beyond. Tailor your CV to beat AI scans. Reach out directly, network locally, and apply smart - not just broadly.

Good luck!