The number of graduate jobs available rose by ten per cent this year compared to the previous year, a report from the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) reveals.
According to dailymail.co.uk, nine out of ten businesses say they still have roles available for this year’s round of recruitment. More than half claim that this is because they’ve boosted the number of graduate jobs they have on offer, but 67 per cent state that poor quality applications are the reason why roles have gone unfilled.
AGR notes that many students don’t take enough care when applying for a job and send out the same CVs and covering lettering to several companies, reports telegraph.co.uk. They fail to personalise their applications to the company they’re applying to and lose the employer’s interest.
Despite the fact more graduates jobs are being created, the rising number of university leavers is forcing many to take on unskilled roles as there isn’t enough work available for them. Nearly one-in-five undergraduates completed their course with first-class honours – triple the amount that did so in the 90s. This is also making it harder for graduates to find work.
Stephen Isherwood, chief executive of the AGR, says graduates need to take more time with their job applications.
“First impressions really do count and in most cases the first impression an employer receives is a CV or job application,” he explains. “I’d urge all graduates to really research sectors and roles that they’re applying for, tailoring each approach to show why they want that particular job and what relevant skills they can offer an employer.”