Jobseekers 'disadvantaged' without IT skills

Jobseekers should make sure they have basic IT skills or they could be putting themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to finding work, it has been claimed.

According to the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), people need to have a working knowledge of programmes typically used in an office.

These include things such as spreadsheets, Word and the internet as they essential for communication with colleagues.

Elspeth Farrar, communications director for AGCAS, said: You only have to be in an office or a work environment when computer systems go down to realise how much we now are all completely dependent on computers and technology to actually function.

She added that computers have an impact in almost every kind of working environment.

Confirming this, a spokesperson for ClickAJob stressed that IT skills are as competitive as other qualities in successfully obtaining a job.

Because they're so essential, it's not enough just to say you have these skills, he says.

You really need proof to demonstrate your capability level with something tangible, like recognised pass certificates from a good online skills assessment centre like our own ClickATest facility.

You need to keep them up to date too - unless you're savvy with the latest software advances, your interview prospects are too easily eclipsed by someone else, he concludes.

The National Employers Skills Survey 2007, published by Leading Learning and Skills, found that over two-thirds of employers provide training for at least some of their staff.