Introduction
Breaking into the UK tech industry as a graduate is more competitive than ever - but it's far from impossible. With the right strategy, you can stand out from thousands of applicants and land a role at companies like Google, Arm, GCHQ, or a fast-growing UK startup.
This guide walks you through every stage of the graduate tech job hunt, from building a strong CV to navigating multi-stage technical interviews.
1. Start Earlier Than You Think
Most UK graduate scheme applications open in September and October for roles starting the following autumn. That means if you're in your final year, your window is narrow. Companies like Goldman Sachs Technology, JP Morgan, and Amazon typically close applications as early as November.
For smaller tech companies and startups, timelines are more flexible - but it's still wise to start applying in your second term rather than after graduation.
Action: Set up job alerts on GradSignal for your target categories - Software Engineering, Data Science, Cyber Security - and review new postings weekly.
2. Build a CV That Gets Past the ATS
Most large UK employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs before a human ever sees them. Here's how to get through:
- Use a clean, single-column format. Fancy tables and columns confuse ATS parsers.
- Mirror keywords from the job description. If the posting says "Python and SQL", use those exact terms.
- Lead with a technical skills section listing languages (Python, Java, JavaScript), frameworks (React, Django, Spring), and tools (Git, Docker, AWS).
- Quantify everything. "Built a REST API" is weak. "Built a REST API that served 50,000 daily requests with 99.9% uptime" is strong.
- Keep it to one page if you have fewer than two years of experience.
3. Build Projects That Demonstrate Real Skills
If your degree is from a non-Russell Group university, or if your grades aren't exceptional, a strong portfolio of side projects can be the deciding factor. Good project ideas include:
- A full-stack web app with a real use case (not just a to-do app)
- A data pipeline or machine learning model trained on real-world data
- A security CTF writeup or penetration testing report
- An open-source contribution to a widely used library
Host everything on GitHub with proper READMEs. Interviewers at UK tech companies increasingly check GitHub profiles during screening.
4. Understand the UK Graduate Hiring Process
The typical graduate tech hiring funnel in the UK looks like this:
- Online application - CV + cover letter (optional at many companies)
- Online assessments - Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs), numerical reasoning, or coding challenges (HackerRank, Codility)
- Technical phone screen - 30–45 minute call with a junior engineer
- Technical interview(s) - 1–3 rounds of coding, system design, or technical knowledge questions
- Final stage / Assessment centre - Group exercises, presentations, and senior interviews
The biggest mistake graduates make is preparing only for the final stage. Your coding ability needs to be sharp from the very first technical screen.
5. Prepare for Technical Interviews the Right Way
UK tech companies increasingly use LeetCode-style coding problems. Here's a structured approach:
- Weeks 1–2: Arrays, strings, hashmaps (Easy problems)
- Weeks 3–4: Trees, graphs, recursion (Medium problems)
- Weeks 5–6: Dynamic programming, system design basics
Critically, practice explaining your thinking out loud. UK interviewers assess communication as much as correctness. Getting a brute-force solution with clear narration beats a perfect solution delivered in silence.
Use GradSignal's company-specific interview playbooks to find out exactly which LeetCode patterns each company tests, which behavioural questions they ask, and what the process looks like stage-by-stage.
6. Nail the Behavioural Interview
UK employers love the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare five or six strong examples from projects, coursework, part-time jobs, or volunteering that you can adapt to questions like:
- "Tell me about a time you had to learn something quickly."
- "Describe a situation where you disagreed with a team member."
- "Give an example of a project where things didn't go to plan."
7. Target the Right Mix of Companies
Don't apply exclusively to FAANG or Tier 1 investment banks. A smart graduate job search covers:
- Large enterprise tech (IBM, Capgemini, Accenture) - easier to get in, structured training
- Scale-ups and mid-size tech (Monzo, Deliveroo, Checkout.com) - faster responsibility, excellent experience
- Public sector tech (GCHQ, HMRC Digital, NHS Digital) - great work-life balance, mission-driven
- Consultancies (Deloitte Technology, PwC Deals Tech) - broad exposure across industries
Conclusion
Landing a graduate tech job in the UK takes preparation, persistence, and the right information. The graduates who succeed aren't necessarily the cleverest - they're the ones who understood what the process looks like and prepared accordingly.
GradSignal exists to give you that insider knowledge. Browse our graduate tech jobs board and check out our company interview playbooks to start preparing for your specific target roles.