Graduates told there are jobs despite recruitment fears

STUDENTS have hit a “wall of fear” in the belief that the harsh market is creating too much competition.

Geoff Taylor, senior partner in Deloitte’s Leeds office, is warning that reports claiming that this year’s graduates face the toughest job market in a decade are damaging their ability to find work.

“We must help graduates avoid the ‘career paralysis’ trap which is often triggered when fear sets in and inaction takes over,” he said.

“University leavers without a job to go to need a clear message, the search for work is far from hopeless.”

According to a recent UK graduate careers survey of 16,357 graduates by High Fliers a record 52% regarded prospects for new graduates as “very limited” – the highest since the survey started in 1995.

But according to business advisory firm Deloitte however the perception of the drop in graduate jobs is much bigger than the actual market shrinkage.

Mr Taylor said: “Conversations with graduates throughout the interview process for 2009 has flagged up worrying trends. One is the heightened concern amongst applicants that jobs are almost non existent and if they exist they are unobtainable.

“Too often professional services firms are classified as the financial services industry. News of a 40% drop in graduate vacancies for the autumn 2009 intake in the finance sector creates sweeping perceptions that this includes big graduate recruiters like Deloitte. Good research can help to avoid missed job opportunities.”

He said that Deloitte’s intake hadn’t changed significantly over the last few years and that its application process for 2010 will start in July.

“Graduates can take practical steps to improve their ability to find and secure a job in this market. Never underestimate the importance of good research. Be quick to identify areas of work that are of interest. Do not wait until the final year at university to start the process. Many students fall into this trap,” Mr Taylor continued.