'Graduates know they need more than a degree'

16:17 21st July 2009

Graduates are increasingly aware that having a degree provides no guarantee of work.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has been trying to raise awareness among students, even before the recession, that they have to demonstrate they have some experience.

Tom Hadley, director of external relations at the REC, said: "There seems to be an awareness increasingly among graduates, that they do need to have some things to put on their CV."

According to Mr Hadley, it is important for students to get themselves into the world of work, even if it is through a temporary or summer job.

He also suggests graduates looking for work try to find a balance between specific jobs and those that are achievable.

"Don't waste your time going for a lot of jobs that you've got no chance of getting," he added.

The Learning and Skills Council has said 84 per cent of young people are worried they will not find work.

Graduates looking for programming careers should consider picking up the industry-level IT skills needed to secure them the job they want. ADNFCR-1667-ID-19275054-ADNFCR