There are finally some noticeable and encouraging indicators that graduate recruitment in all industry sectors is on its way to recovery and new growth after the economic downturn.
Graduates are usually hit hard at times like this as employers are being forced call off graduate schemes and recruitment programmes until things improve. However The Guardians straw poll of leading graduate recruiters suggests that employers in sectors from financial services and law to engineering and marketing are now looking for new graduates again. It is early days at the moment but a slow and steady rise of graduate jobs is expected and the visible improvement cannot be mistaken.
Dan Hawes from The Graduate Recruitment Bureau speaks to the Guardian about how the Graduate job market is showing encouraging signs of recovery for recruitment in a range of careers. In the article he explains how the retail sector among others is showing consistent plans for recruiting graduates over the next 12 months:
"GRB recruits for a leading supermarket and their graduate intake plans for 2011 have remained consistent." says Hawes. "We also recruit for high street retailers and they are planning growth, particularly with online strategies."
"Market trends seem to be moving more towards online retail and I would expect to see a rise in positions that support the online market. These roles often have an element of analysis, either reviewing sales, online traffic or competitor analysis. The more marketing-focused roles may include search engine optimisation, branding or strategy. I imagine that traditional roles within retail such as buying, marketing and merchandising will remain consistent over the next 12 months."
In the article, The Guardian goes on to say about shirt and clothing retailer TM Lewin which, at present does not offer a graduate scheme. Business development manager Elaine Wong says it is looking to introduce one.
"Ensure you have a clear understanding of the field and find out which role matches your criteria," she says. "And when getting to the interview stage remember that preparation in terms of self-presentation is vital."
View the whole article here with overviews of every sector on the Guardian website.
