Good job hunting

Graduates do not find jobs so hard to come by as they once did, but they still need pointers, reports Olga Wojtas

Despite growing fears of a new recession, there is as yet little sign of graduate jobs being hit. Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency have recorded an overall improvement in employment in recent years: its latest First Destinations statistics for graduates showed 62 per cent find jobs, and 19 per cent continue education or training, with only 5 per cent of women and 6 per cent of men assumed to be unemployed.

Richard Brown, of the Council for Industry and Higher Education, said: "We have no evidence from our employers of any cutback in demand for graduates of the highest quality, and we know they still have difficulties in recruiting graduates with intellectual capabilities and knowledge of the world of work."

He sees an increasing trend of employers recruiting students who have done work experience with them, "a form of extended interview". Employers are also placing a greater premium on "self-knowledge and self-drive skills", he said, even taking on graduates who have failed to gain the expected level of degree but have these attributes.

Bob Porrer, convener of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services Scotland, agrees that the job market is strong, but questions whether students understand this, or are aware of economic cycles."They all think it's difficult to get a job," he said.

Against this background, Scotland's seventh annual graduate career day was held in Edinburgh last week. Started when recession was making jobs hard to find, the day, organised by Edinburgh's four higher education institutions and open to any graduate, no longer primarily caters for graduates still job-hunting months after graduation. Nonetheless it is proving timely. For AGCAS Scotland says many new graduates are only now beginning to look for jobs, having had a break after their finals.

"The pattern has changed quite significantly," Mr Porrer said.. "Students in general are getting much more serious about job-hunting, but a substantial minority are delaying action until the end of their degree. The final year for most students is pretty tough. Many are working to earn money, and there's pressure to get a good degree. It's not surprising that they feel they want to concentrate on that, not on getting a job."

The autumn event also attracts prospective postgraduates who have only now discovered that they have failed to win funding. Others have turned up after taking time out to travel.

Lynda Ali of Edinburgh University's careers service, convener of the organising working group, said a number of the 400 graduates coming to this year's event left university more than five years ago.

"The vast majority were recent graduates, but we're trying to cater for people at all sorts of different stages," she said, stressing that the day is aimed not at promoting job vacancies, but providing information, giving graduates and job changers advice on their options.

"This is complementary to the Scottish Graduate Fair attached to Strathclyde University later this month," she said. About 25 careers advisers from all over Scotland could be consulted, backed by practical seminars ranging from improving interview techniques to job-seeking tactics.

There was considerable interest in the innovative Graduates for Growth scheme, which encourages small and medium companies to recruit graduates. Run through Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and funded by the local enterprise company, LEEL, it offers companies help with selection processes, and training and development.

"The graduates recognise that if they get into a smaller company, they are going to be able to contribute earlier and perhaps get much better experience," said project director Margaret Allan. "About 97 per cent of companies are small, but graduates don't know that."

ARCHIE MACDONALD, ENVIRONMENTAL MASTERS

Ten days ago, Archie Macdonald completed a one-year master's course in environmental science at Strathclyde University. He is only now beginning to look for jobs.

"I was so busy doing my thesis. It was very intensive, and there was just so much pressure," he said.

"I registered with some employment agencies in May but I haven't had any joy from them yet. The timing of this seminar is ideal for me."

A former geophysicist, Mr Macdonald, 33, funded himself through the Strathclyde course because of his growing interest in the environment.

"I jacked in my job and used my savings. I'm not 100 per cent certain what I want to do now, but I'm keen to get into something like environmental protection."

He has brought along his CV and has picked up some ideas on improving it, largely through reorganisation.

ALAN CRILLY, DEGREE IN ESTATE MANAGEMENT AND NABIL ALI, BROAD-BASED COMBINED STUDIES DEGREE

Alan Crilly and Nabil Ali, Heriot-Watt University graduates aged 23, have spent the past year travelling around Australia.

"I think it's got rid of the itchy feet I would have had if I'd gone into a job when I graduated," said Mr Ali, son of Edinburgh University careers adviser Lynda Ali.

He has little interest in a career based on his degree in estate management.

"I'm still not sure what I want to do, even though mum's a careers adviser. I think I want to go into sales and marketing, although my degree doesn't qualify me for that as such."

He enjoyed the day's seminar on advertising and marketing, and was particularly struck by a leading executive revealing that many applicants submit imaginative and ingeniously presented CVs.

"I would just have done a normal CV but now I'll think differently. He's looking for flexible, creative people who have a bit of get up and go."

Mr Crilly, who graduated with a broad-based combined studies degree, believes the Australian trip has given him a lot of confidence.

"I'm really glad I did it, but now I want to get a job. I've just got a temporary job in a surveyor's, but it's not a graduate position and I've come here to find out what my options are."

He has been intrigued to find the opportunities available in smaller companies through the Graduates for Growth scheme.

"I'm going to check up on that, and I'm also really interested in the session on interview techniques."

JENNIFER PURVES, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

"I've had no luck finding a job in the environmental area since I graduated at the end of May," said Jennifer Purves, 22, a Stirling graduate.

"I've been looking furiously through the newspapers every single week but they all require you to have two or three years' voluntary experience. I've got an overdraft, and I can't afford to do voluntary work."

She has been attracted by the seminar on getting started in the environment, and says the day is very useful, even if only to confirm that job-hunting will be difficult.

"I just want to find out the prospects because I'm quite unsure what the job situation is like. I'm here just to see if there are any jobs that I'm qualified for at the moment."

She only started her career search after graduating.

"I hadn't decided definitely what area I would go into. I was just concentrating on my studies."

GLYNNIS HUTCHISON, DEGREE IN BUSINESS

Glynnis Hutchison, aged 47, was using the career search day to help her decide between going back to Napier University or applying for jobs.

She volunteered for redundancy after working in a laboratory for 26 years, and began a Higher National Certificate in business administration.

"I have a young son, and I wanted to spend time with him. I thought if I went to college or university I'd be learning something, and still have the school holidays."

She has just completed an ordinary combined degree in business and management.

"I'm probably going to go back for honours, but I really just want to make sure in my own mind that that's the best thing. I haven't been able to look in the summer holidays."

"I'd like guidance on what jobs to apply for. Although I've been to Napier's careers services, this is looking at it from a different angle."