Graduate jobseekers' confidence is so low they are prepared to apply for any job

A study, entitled The Emerging Talent Index, carried out by Alexander Mann Solutions, found that of students who graduated from university in 2009 just 24% have been working in a role that requires a degree since leaving university.  More than half (53%) are planning to apply for graduate positions this year, while 63% of those set to graduate in 2010 are also looking for suitable roles (compared with 50% of recent graduates in 2009). This will mean greater competition for positions than in previous years.

The research reveals that only 26% of those surveyed are confident of finding a graduate position this year, with 2009's graduates the least confident (22%). This could account for their less targeted approach to job-hunting, with 18% prepared to apply for just ‘any job'. The majority were applying for jobs across a number of sectors while just 37% of all those surveyed were limiting their applications to roles that correspond with their long-term career plans.

Clodagh Bannigan, head of client services at Alexander Mann Solutions, said: "It is certainly the case that competition in the graduate jobs market is tougher than ever this year. However, this rise in the quantity of applications has not brought a rise in quality. University leavers are adopting a ‘hit and hope' approach: applying for as many positions as possible rather than carefully targeting the roles that are right for them. This type of approach can cause problems for employers. Businesses looking to hire graduates need to ensure that they have the processes and scalability in place to deal with the high volume of applications, without compromising on the human touch that is essential when looking to attract the best young talent. This is by no means an easy feat."

Graduates were also asked which sectors they perceived as offering the best opportunities to university leavers. Respondents identified the public sector as the area that offers the best opportunities, with nearly a third (30%) ranking it as the top sector. Financial services and banking were ranked lowest by 28% of respondents.

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