Graduate Job Market

The huge expansion in student numbers in higher education during the last decade and the ongoing transformation of how many employers structure and manage their businesses has led to many changes in the graduate recruitment environment.

For example, did you know?

• Many graduates will find employment with small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), with <250 employees. These companies can offer graduates the opportunity to gain early responsibility in a less structured work environment and experience in wide ranging parts of the business. Our own on-line vacancy service reflects this growing trend and regularly advertises job vacancies received direct from a variety of local SMEs.

According to The Graduate Experience 2002 Report, only 14% of respondants were

on graduate training schemes 6 months after graduation, so competition for places

on these schemes is fierce.

• Nearly two thirds of all vacancies advertised for graduates do not ask for a specific degree subject, based on the national graduate vacancy bulletin Prospects Today.  Students and graduates of all disciplines may want to investigate the wide range of occupational areas that are available to them. See Researching Career Options for resources to help you.

• Your degree is just one element of the jigsaw that organisations require of their employees.  Increasingly the market place requires candidates who can provide evidence of their competencies and skills.

• An analysis of five years of national employer surveys suggest that the desired skills fall into four broad areas:

 You may find it helpful to complete a self analysis of your own competencies and skills.