Congratulations! You’ve made it through the late-night study sessions, the challenging exams, and endless coursework. With a Psychology degree, you have gained subject-specific knowledge and transferable skills, but the key is knowing how to showcase them. Graduating with a Psychology degree indeed opens doors to a variety of career paths, from mental health and research to HR, marketing, and beyond. Regardless of which area you are aiming for, the job market can feel competitive. If you are not sure which path to take, there are plenty of free resources available to help you decide, including Bright Network, National Careers Services, Career Fitter, and Prospects. With the right approach and a bit of resilience, you can unlock exciting opportunities. This blog will guide you through the job search process, helping you build connections, and take the next step in your career.

1. Tapping into the Hidden Job Market:

While job boards are a great starting point, many psychology-related opportunities – particularly in sectors like mental health, research, and consulting, are not always publicly advertised. This is known as the “hidden job market,” and there are several strategies you can use to access these opportunities.

• Speculative Applications – Many organisations, including charities, mental health services, and research institutions, appreciate proactive candidates. Reach out to them with tailored applications showcasing your research, communication, and analytical skills. Even if they’re not advertising roles, they might have opportunities coming up. Both TargetJobs and Prospects have useful articles on how to make speculative applications for graduate jobs.
• Use LinkedIn & Online Networks –  Connecting with professionals on LinkedIn, engaging in industry discussions, and following relevant companies can help you find hidden opportunities. Many professionals and organisations share advice and insights on the platform. If you haven’t already, check out the TargetJobs guide to creating the perfect LinkedIn profile. You can also attend one of the LinkedIn masterclasses—available both in-person and online, —hosted by the Careers and Employability team at the University of Westminster.

Do not hesitate to use social media to connect with employers and recruiters – or even to search for jobs. Joining Westminster Connect, the alumni networking platform, is a great way to engage with your fellow graduates and expand your professional network worldwide.

• Company Websites: Don’t limit your job search to job boards – many companies post positions exclusively on their own career pages. Visit the websites of companies you admire and check regularly their careers pages. For more tips on structuring your job hunt after graduation, check out this guide on job hunting.

2. Building Connections and Networking:

Building connections and networking are essential in psychology- related careers, where hands-on experience and industry insight play a key role in securing opportunities.

• Personal Connections – Your network can be one of your greatest job-hunting assets. Start by reaching out to family, friends, former professors, and classmates—let them know that you are looking for work and what roles you’re interested in. You never know who might have a lead or be willing to introduce you to someone in the industry. Here is a Target Jobs article on how your friends can help you on your job hunt.
• Join Professional Bodies – Seek and join relevant professional associations in your field. Being a member of organisations such as the British Psychological Society (BPS) provides networking opportunities, job postings, and access to exclusive career resources.
• Connect with Alumni – Many psychology graduates work in fields like therapy, clinical research, and organisational psychology. Reach out to them for career advice and potential opportunities via social media and Westminster Connect. Check out this LinkedIn article on the right way to ask for help in your job search.
• Attend Events & Webinars -Traditional networking is just as important—attend career fairs, industry events, online panels and alumni meetups to make valuable connections. Conferences such as the BPS annual conference can connect you with employers and industry professionals. Here is some advice on how to network effectively and improve your career prospects. You can find various types of events on Engage, Eventbrite or Meetup. If networking hasn’t been a focus for you before, now is a great time to develop your skills. Learn how to confidently engage at networking events, employer presentations, and careers fairs with these networking tips from TargetJobs and find out the dos and dont`s of networking.

3. Gaining Valuable Experience:

Employers value practical experience, and there are several ways to gain this:

• Volunteering & Internships– Engaging in volunteering and internships offers invaluable opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, making you a more competitive candidate in the job market. According to Indeed, roles such as assistant psychologist positions or volunteering in mental health settings can provide relevant experience for aspiring clinical psychologists. Mental health charities and organisations such as Rethink Mental Illness, Mind, Samaritans, NHS and BPS offer a range of volunteering opportunities helping you to build experience and connect with professionals in the field. Job platforms such as Charity Jobs offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities as well as paid and unpaid internships in the psychology field. Check out the Save the Graduate volunteering guide and article about alternative ways to gain experience.
•  Explore Related Fields – Jobs in HR, market research, government and education highly value psychology graduates due to their analytical, communication and interpersonal skills. Graduate schemes in these sectors can provide a solid foundation for a long-term career in psychology-related roles. Platforms like TargetJobs, Bright Network, Save the Graduate and Prospects offer insights and list relevant job opportunities.

4. Staying Resilient & Focused

The job search process can be challenging, with rejections and setbacks along the way. Staying resilient and focused is crucial.

• Manage Your Time Effectively: Treat your job search like a full-time job – it requires dedicated effort and strategic planning. Set aside dedicated time each day to apply for jobs, network, and work on your CV and cover letter.
• Be Open to Alternative Career Paths – Many Psychology graduates move into careers in education, social work, or business before specialising further. Exploring different options can open unexpected doors.
• Stay Positive: It’s easy to get discouraged but try to maintain a positive attitude. Be open to learning from rejection and seeking feedback from employers, after all remember that every rejection is a step closer to the right opportunity. Check out these Target Jobs articles on how to deal with rejection from graduate jobs and learn from rejection and the employer feedback.
• Seek Support & Mentorship– Talk to friends, family, career consultants or industry professionals for guidance. As a University of Westminster graduate, you have access to careers services for three years, including CV and application advice, interview coaching, and job listings. You can also apply for mentoring schemes, where experienced professionals provide valuable insights, support, and opportunities to help you grow and achieve your career goals.

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Author: Dr Natalia Ciofu, Careers Consultant Project Officer