Graduate Jobs with a 2.1 degree

Benefits of a 2.1

The 2.1 degree classification opens many doors when it comes to job hunting. This is a traditional benchmark that employers set to filter graduate applicants and to ensure the applicants they are considering have the required academic rigour and hard work they look for.

Graduates who are looking for jobs with a 2.1 degree show employers they are hardworking individuals who have attained an above average grade for their hard work over at least three years. Because graduates who achieved this grade know it is not easily attained and they have spent many hours, days, weeks and beyond getting to this point.

Why do employers look for a 2.1 degree?

There are many reasons that employers use the benchmark of a 2.1 degree as a part of the application process and job requirements. While it could be used as a blunt way of differentiating between candidates, employers are afforded this luxury by the volume of applications they receive. Here are a few of the reasons employers use 2.1 degrees for graduate job hunting:

• Hard work - Graduates do not leave university with a 2.1 degree without having put in a serious amount of hard work and dedication to their studies. Employers love to see this attitude in potential employees and see the 2.1 degree classification as a clear indicator of this effort and drive. Employers look to harness the same devotion to studies and hope it will transfer to the employee's efforts in the work place.
• Competence in subject - While more broadly a 2.1 degree can reflect the dedication a graduate put into their work, it also shows a competence in that particular subject. Graduates looking to find work in a particular sector, be it Science and Technology or Engineering for example, employers like to see graduates that have an accomplished grasp of the subject. This is important in highly technical fields, but can apply for more broadly to other degree subjects.
• Filtering technique - Many employers might acknowledge that they don't see a correlation between graduates with a 2.1 degree and better employees, it is unfortunately used as a way to sift through applications. Again, a cruel and blunt instrument to use to measure up potential employees, it is used to help manage the large volume of applications that some employers do receive.

Something to consider for graduates with a 2.1 degree is that this is not everything that an employer wants or looks for. For example, an employer may look more favourably on an applicant that has some work experience or an internship under their belt but have received a 2.2 degree. Graduates with a 2.1 should be aware that their degree result is part of their wider application package and not everything they have to offer employers.

Read our advice on finding a graduate job with a 2.2 degree or Master's.