Graduate recruitment is 'ongoing'

Despite the current global economic problems, many firms are continuing their graduate recruitment programmes, one expert has remarked.

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The credit crunch has not made much difference to graduates seeking work after university, communications director at the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services Elspeth Farrar said.

She noted that some students may be unsure of the jobs market at the moment as there have been a number of reports in the press documenting job losses.

Students are still getting jobs and companies are still recruiting, though it may be that in certain areas there is slightly more competition for places, she stated.

According to Ms Farrar, companies do not want a skills gap in the future by stopping the hiring of graduates in the present, thus firms are positive about recruiting graduates.

The Association of Graduate Recruiters recently revealed that 69.5 per cent of organisations will have more vacancies this year than they did in 2007.

Any dips in demand simply mean that graduates must make themselves more competitive, asserts ClickAJob chief executive Yngve Traberg.

Employers are becoming more canny and demanding anyway, he says.

Though they will always need staff for expansion and replacing people who leave, there is a growing preference for graduates who can offer something more than just a degree.

My advice is always to grab as much relevant work experience as possible, he continues.

Even just a few weeks in a junior capacity demonstrates enthusiasm, commitment and the will to get ahead.

Faced with skills and understanding over a totally inexperienced greenhorn, what employer would not jump to hire a such proven a proven career professional? he concludes.