Graduate Positions for University Leavers Falls Further 3.9% From Last Year; City CV Seek to Help Those in Competitive Job Markets
(PRWEB UK) 22 July 2013 -- New figures indicate that the number of available positions for university leavers has declined by nearly 4% compared to last year.
The research, carried out by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), shows that there is intense pressure on graduates as they look for graduate job vacancies in the UK. The number of job openings has dropped by 3.9% in 2012-13 compared to the figures from 2011-12. Victoria McLean of City CV (http://www.citycv.co.uk) advises it is imperative for those applying to be doing so in the best possible way, to create a first-rate CV with a focus on their marketable skills, relevant work experience, and any non-academic activities or achievements which may be of interest to a prospective employer.
The poll questioned 200 employers from around the UK and found out that there is an average of 85 applicants for every graduate vacancy – up from 73 this time last year. The fierce competition has some advantages though, one of them being the average wage increasing to £25,000 in a number of regions outside of London for the first time.
Despite this overall decline in positions, there is growth within some sectors. Those who are looking for jobs within consulting or business services may find it easier to apply, with vacancies up 36% compared to the same period last year. Other sectors are improving their number of graduate positions too, with energy, water and utility companies seeing a rise in vacancies by 30.8% and IT & Telecommunications firms upping their vacancies by almost 15%.
Unfortunately, there are also large drops within certain sectors; banking and financial service graduate positions are expected to go down by 45%. This is indicative of the current economy, as some sectors are becoming stagnant, whilst others are experiencing growth.
The pressure on graduates has resulted in a growing trend in the use of services to improve applications, such as companies who offer CV writing services. Victoria McLean from City CV commented on the difficult job market for graduates, saying: “This new study from the Association of Graduate Recruiters shows that the application process is vital for recent graduates. More emphasis on non-academic achievements is needed when applying for jobs to help stand out from the number of applicants this year, especially as we are seeing more and more graduates with high 2:1 and First Class degrees. It is always important to tailor your CV and application when aiming for more competitive jobs – now more than ever – and we have seen a steady rise in graduates using our CV writing services to help them get their first footing into a successful career.”
Founded by Victoria McLean, former on-site recruitment specialist at Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs, City CV offers professional CV writing and CV writing tips across a range of industries, with particular expertise in banking, finance and business. McLean's team of experts have over a hundred years of combined experience, and also provide interview and job application coaching, job search support and career guidance.
Ms. McLean added: “Graduate jobs are changing in-line with the rest of the economy, with some areas offering substantial growth and others losing out in the economic turmoil. The increase in applications may also be dependent on individuals applying for more jobs and expanding their options, rather than aiming for one specific job. With this in mind, it is important for people to keep their options open and to be more realistic about the jobs they apply for.”
For more information regarding the services available from City CV, visit their website at http://www.citycv.co.uk to give yourself the best opportunity when it comes to your job prospects.
City CV Ltd
Austin Friars
London
EC2N 2QP
Tel: 020 7979 7718
Email: enquiries(at)citycv(dot)co(dot)uk
Victoria McLean, City CV, http://www.citycv.co.uk/, 020 7979 7718, [email protected]
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