Silly mistakes can cost you your career!

It is tough enough to get through some application processes when applying for graduate jobs but it can be made even harder by making silly mistakes. Our co-Founder was quoted on this issue in a recent article in The Times and our consultants have provided some examples of mistakes they have witnessed.

Have you made any mistakes or do you have advice for others on this issue?

How do graduates find work?

I was recently invited by the BBC to appear on a live interview from Birmingham University about what graduates can do to find work.

See the attached clips and leave any comments below.

Is paying off your student loan more important than pursuing your dream career?

Would you sacrifice your dream job for a job that allows you to clear your debts quicker? Lots of graduates pursue the career they have been working towards but many don't, some settle for anything with a higher salary even if it is not in their preferred field.

Read full article on the Graduate Recruitment Bureau's news page.

What are your priorities when seeking a graduate job?

How honest is your CV?

Research suggests that graduates from higher ranked universities, have more truthful CVs than students from lower ranked universities. Maths graduates appear to be the most honest and graduates with arts and humanities degrees are the least honest. Graduates may feel it is necessary to exaggerate their achievements to secure a graduate job. They may also feel that they can get away with it but when it gets to interview stages how will these graduates compare to those who have not had to lie?

Read full article

Would you lie on your CV for your dream job?

Source: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9860034a-56b1-11dd-8686-000077b07658.html

Recruiters have more graduate vacancies!

Graduate recruiters have over 10% more graduate vacancies in 2008 than last year but the competition is still high. The AGR (Association of Graduate Recruiters) survey showed that this year the finance sector has the most vacancies but vacancies in the FMCG sector have the most competition, with 112 applicants per vacancy. Although the finance sector has the most vacancies, it does not have the most applications per vacancy therefore statistically it is ‘easier’ to get a graduate job in finance than with a FMCG company.

Are you finding the competition fierce when it comes to securing a graduate job?

View sectors with the most vacancies and the average number of applicants per vacancy within these sectors.

Source: http://www.agr.org.uk/

Should 2:2 degrees be considered by graduate employers?

More graduate recruiters are considering candidates with 2:2 degrees according to a survey reported on by The Telegraph…Graduate recruiters are dropping their minimum requirement of a 2:1 degree, claiming it can no longer be relied upon as a benchmark of high academic achievement. Until now a 2:1 had been the cut-off mark for jobs at major British companies, but recruiters are now finding a 2:2 from an Oxbridge university is as good as a first-class degree from a third-rank university.A survey of 242 companies, employing nearly 24,000 graduates, found a third are prepared to look at applicants with a 2:2, compared to only a quarter last year.Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), said: "Employers have not abandoned degree classification overnight, but there is a growing awareness that graduates have other things to offer. If you use a hard and fast cut-off at 2:1 you might miss out."

Do you think 2:2 degrees should be considered?

Read full article

Sorry Sir Alan, I’m Sick!

Lee McQueen, winner of hit TV show ‘The Apprentice’ was due to start his £100,000 job yesterday but his 1st day did not go as well as expected, in fact he never made it to the office. Lee had to call in sick on his first due to an illness he picked up whilst in Spain last week.

A spokesman said that he is frustrated that he can’t be at work and will be starting in a few days.

Would you call in sick on your first day? How do you think Sir Alan would react?

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/07/02/bcnappre102.xml