Q: There is only one level of graduate recruitment
A: According to the Institute of Employment Studies (IES), there are five:
- Fast track management training schemes;
- Sub-fast-track management recruitment;
- Local graduate recruitment schemes;
- Ad-hoc recruitment of graduates for specific posts; and
- Recruitment of graduates into lower level jobs which may or may not provide access to higher-level occupations.
A: Wrong. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) estimates that over 900,000 degree holders now work in firms employing fewer than 250 people. Although it's true that large firms are retaining (if not increasing) their already significant share of the market, more graduates are starting work with small and medium-sized organisations. Even in larger companies, decentralisation often means that small company conditions exist.
Q: Graduate jobs mean rapid promotion and job-for-life security
A: Not necessarily so. Many organisations are becoming flatter and less hierarchical. Lateral promotion is becoming more common, with staff developing their skills and expertise without necessarily climbing the corporate ladder.
Q: If you have a degree you won't need to do any more studying
A: Wrong. Knowledge rapidly becomes obsolete and today's world demands lifelong learning self-development and an overwhelming need to stay employable. In short your degree may only be your starting point.
Q: Graduate jobs are always advertised
A: False. Many employers don't advertise their vacancies publicly. Each year many graduates find jobs via informal networks (e.g. tutors, friends, etc.). Who you know (and who knows you) is as important as what you know.
Q: Graduates are not tested at interview
A: False. At interview graduates may be asked to take part in a number of exercises including IQ tests, psychometric tests, cognitive tests, group exercises and individual presentations. This is not an exhaustive list but only an indication of some of the techniques used at the interview stage. Graduates will normally be given some indication of the tests involved prior to the interview to allow for some preparation but this is not always the case.
Q: Employers always look for graduates from a specific degree discipline
A: False. Although some jobs demand a particular discipline perhaps a third of advertised vacancies ask for 'any discipline'. Many employers are more concerned with transferable skills and work experience rather than degree discipline.
Q: A degree guarantees a 'good' job
A: Depends on how you define a 'good job', but in today's job market there are few guarantees. Although research indicates that graduates average higher earnings than non-graduates, with one in three 18-year-olds currently enrolling in higher education the competition for 'graduate' jobs has never been fiercer.
Q: Graduates are guaranteed funding for postgraduate courses
A: Wrong. Funding for postgraduate courses is becoming increasingly difficult, and few courses - if any - can now guarantee funding. More students are having to fund themselves and you should always check the funding situation before enrolling on a course.
