FutureLearn, the leading social learning platform, has partnered with Graduate Coach, the UK’s leading graduate coaching company, to launch the ‘How To Get A Graduate Job’ online course. The course is free for learners to join now on the FutureLearn platform, and teaching will commence on Monday 27 July 2020.

Graduates already face a rigorous multi-stage job application process when it comes to graduate-level vacancies, but the impact of the pandemic has made the job market far more competitive than previous years. Graduate Coach estimates that there are now around 2 million master’s and bachelor’s graduates currently without jobs, while the market for graduate job openings remains down by 77% according to recent datafrom Adzuna.

Chris Davies, Head Coach and Founder of Graduate Coach said: “I am really excited to be launching the world’s first ever complete online course on how to get a graduate job. Coaching for academic, sporting or artistic success is commonplace, yet getting coached for career success isn’t. Our aim is for this course to help tens of thousands turn their current feelings of hopelessness into hope.”

Justin Cooke, Chief Content and Partnerships Officer at FutureLearn said: “The graduate jobs market is currently facing one of its toughest periods. Not only are job openings down, but the average salary for graduate roles has also decreased by over 3% since last year. There has never been a more pressing need for accessible resources to help  the UK’s young people navigate such a challenging landscape. That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Graduate Coach to deliver this timely course, which we hope will give graduates across the country the lifeline they need to launch and excel in their careers.”

How To Get A Graduate Job’ is a 3-week long course that requires around two hours of weekly study, and has been designed to help graduates or soon-to-be graduates better understand the graduate recruitment process and prepare for the world of work through coaching.

Due to the overabundance of academically qualified graduates, employers are actively seeking out the most workplace-ready candidates, who are able to clearly demonstrate their employability skills. This course will teach learners everything they need to know to stand out from the crowd and to get the job they really want, including: how to identify their core skills and competencies; how to search for a suitable job; how to create strong CVs, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles; and how to become interview confident. The course is also useful for anyone who would like to bring their job-hunting skills up-to-date.

The course is free for learners to join, but there is also the option to pay for upgraded access to the course for as long as it’s on FutureLearn, as well as a print and digital Certificate of Achievement once eligible.