If you've graduated without a grad role, an entry level job is not a step backwards, it is current work history while you keep applying. Employers value someone working over someone waiting. Start with roles that use any part of your study, then widen the search from there.
What should I do if I graduated with no job offer in NZ?
Take an entry level role in or near your field while you keep applying for grad positions. A gap with nothing on it is harder to explain in six months than a retail or admin job you can talk about with confidence. Momentum matters more than the title on your first post-study job.
Does taking an entry level job hurt my chances at a grad role later?
No, not if you frame it right. An employer reading your CV in six months wants to see that you stayed active, picked up new skills, and showed reliability. A gap with no explanation raises more questions than a few months in hospitality, retail or admin ever will.
How do I find a job that actually uses my degree?
Look past the job title and read the actual duties. A customer service role at an insurance company, a coordinator job at a council, or an admin role in a lab all use parts of a degree without needing "graduate" in the title. Search by task, not by job label.
- Search council, DHB and government sites directly, many don't advertise on the big boards
- Look at smaller firms in your field, they often skip formal grad schemes entirely
- Ask your lecturers and tutors if they know of openings, even casual ones
- Check industry association job boards specific to your degree
- Widen your location search if you can, regional centres often have less competition
- Reconsider roles that ask for "one to two years" experience, that's still you
How do I explain taking a non-grad job in interviews later?
Keep it simple and factual. Say you wanted to stay active and earning while you kept applying for roles in your field, and that you picked up skills in the meantime such as customer handling, scheduling or working under pressure. Interviewers respect someone who didn't just wait around.
Key takeaways
- An entry level job now beats an employment gap later, even if it's outside your field
- Employers read duties, not job titles, so search for tasks that match your degree
- Smaller employers and public sector bodies often skip formal grad programmes
- A role asking for one or two years' experience is still worth applying for
- Keep applying for grad-track roles while you work, don't treat the two as mutually exclusive
Frequently asked questions
Will taking a retail or hospitality job make me look unqualified?
No. It shows you're proactive and reliable while you keep looking. Most employers care more about the gap on your CV than the job title that fills it, as long as you can explain your ongoing job search clearly.
How long should I give myself before taking a non-grad job?
There's no fixed rule, but if you've been actively applying for a few weeks with nothing moving, it's worth applying for entry level roles in parallel rather than waiting it out entirely.
Should I mention my degree on applications for entry level jobs?
Yes, always include it. It shows commitment and gives the employer context, even if the role doesn't require it. Just make clear in your cover letter why you're applying despite being overqualified on paper.
What if I can't find any job related to my degree at all?
Take the best available role to stay working, then keep tailoring applications for roles in your field. A CV with recent work history, any work history, reads better than one with a blank stretch after graduation.
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