Recent reports indicating that graduate recruitment is set to rise in 2011 is welcome news for students and graduates. But although this is a promising development, leading graduate careers website, WikiJob, warns that while graduates may have won the battle; they must now prepare to win the war.
Graduate recruitment has made a slow, but steady comeback throughout 2010. In May, the lingering impact of the recession was still evident when High Fliers released The UK Graduate Careers Survey 2010. The low levels of confidence among graduates generated by the decrease in graduate recruitment over 2008-2009 resulted in a ‘quantity over quality’ approach, with applications increasing across almost all industries.
However, a recent end-of-year update from HighFliers on The Graduate Market in 2010 found that in 2010, the UK’s leading graduate employers increased their vacancies by 17.9%. This trend is set to continue, with the majority of employers looking to maintain or increase their graduate intake in 2011.
While this is undoubtedly good news for graduates, WikiJob co-founder Edward Mellett reminds candidates that graduate recruitment will remain a highly competitive industry.
‘Students and graduates should certainly be encouraged by the growth in graduate opportunities available’, says Ed. ‘However, it is still imperative that graduates effectively prepare for interviews and tailor their applications to each company they are applying for. Although vacancies are increasing, the quality of candidates these companies are seeking will remain high’.
In February 2011, WikiJob will be helping students and graduates prepare for the graduate recruitment process, with the introduction of Student Employability Week. WikiJob will be offering advice and information to students on interview preparation, CV writing, assessment centres and other key preparation areas.
To find out more about WikiJob.co.uk please call Carly Barbuto in the marketing team on 0845 625 9454.
