For Felix, trying to find a job is a “complete grind”. The London-based graduate, who prefers to give only his first name, says he is neglecting university work in order to write cover letters and complete assessments. The “lack of feedback from the (many) rejections leads to a pretty vicious cycle. Often companies simply blank you instead of a rejection email.” 

After he found conventional routes proved stressful and unsuccessful, he focused on cold-emailing and eventually received an offer. “[It] appears a game of luck and numbers,” he adds. “The graduate job market is absolutely flooded, as is that of postgrad applications.”

Like other 2021 graduates, Felix is entering a global jobs market where there are fewer opportunities and increased competition. He was one of more than 70 who provided detailed responses to a Financial Times survey about graduating in the pandemic.