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In a tough job market, studying a postgraduate qualification can help you to stand out from other candidates.
Despite the cost, it may be necessary to study at this level if you want to get into a specialised career. And it could give you an edge over undergraduates applying for jobs.
So how can you use your postgrad degree to make you stand out?
1. Emphasise what you've gained on your postgraduate course
"A postgraduate qualification might give one candidate a specific edge over another," says 24-year-old Rachel Knight, an alumni relations officer who did an MA in European theatre at the University of Edinburgh.
"I left my postgraduate course as a more confident writer, because there was more time to focus on each piece of work and immerse yourself in the topic than at undergraduate."
Elizabeth Wilkinson, postgraduate careers manager at the University of Manchester, encourages postgraduates to think about how they have developed since they graduated from an undergraduate degree.
Wilkinson says: "How are you different now, and how can that benefit the employer? You should be able to demonstrate that you understand where you were weak as an undergraduate and how you've improved your skills, knowledge and experience over the course of the postgraduate degree."
2. Give real world examples of the experience which makes you different from undergraduates
Katy Roberts is a researcher for the BBC in Bristol. Before that she studied an MA in film and television at Falmouth University.
She says: "The course leaders were all ex-industry and that was very helpful. The MA taught us how the industry worked. We worked with real clients, which helped us to prepare for life in the grown-up world."
Andrew Musgrove, who is just finishing an MA in print journalism at the University of Sheffield says: "All the skills you've learned only become helpful if you can put them into a real-life situation in an interview. They need to know how you've done what you claim to be able to do."
3. Combine your background outside your postgrad with the skills you learned
A postgraduate qualification can be a world away from life as an undergraduate. Some have many more, or many fewer hours of contact time. You can be expected to perform in different ways, or learn skills you had no knowledge of before.
"There are a number of skills that postgraduates may have developed while studying," says Karen Barnard, director of University College London Careers, part of the Careers Group, University of London.
"Examples include the ability to work independently, research skills, presentation skills, writing skills and commercial awareness."
Daniel do Rosario, 25, is a retail and consumer lifestyle reporter for Stylus.com, and previously did a postgraduate MA in newspaper journalism at City University, London.
He says: "Having a background in another field is a huge asset. My current employer told me that my varied background made me a more attractive prospective employee than someone who had only pursued one subject."
4. Apply your postgraduate knowledge with the job description
Like all roles, it is vital to tailor job applications to your personal experience, and what you have learned. "Once you understand the skills profile, you can focus on the elements of your course that have helped you develop those skills," says Gary Argent, director of careers, student development and outreach at City University, London.
"With your postgraduate course, you can add an extra dimension to your experience which can help you stand out, for example during a more specialised, technical interview for an industry or market sector relevant to your course of study."
5. Be clear and precise in interviews, and have examples to hand
After a year of extensive study on top of three years of an undergraduate, some postgraduates will have a lot to say in job interviews.
Sarah Kettlewell, a careers adviser at the University of Sheffield, says: "Being able to confidently articulate your knowledge is how postgraduates can try to stand out at interview. Clearly outline what you want to say, and relate your skills and experience as much to the commercial world as you can."
6. Express confidence, but show realism
Roberts also emphasised being realistic in the job-hunt, and knowing what you are capable of. "To stand out in the crowd, you need to be fired up about starting your career, have common sense and initiative and be eager to learn."
"Not everyone has the confidence," says Musgrove. "You've got to have that ability to paint yourself as the perfect addition to the company."
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