Friday 8th August 2008
Graduates should improve their CV

Graduates need to include all relevant experience on their CV as employers are looking for more than a degree, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

Demand for permanent staff has declined at its fastest rate since 2001, according to a report by the REC and KPMG so graduates need to demonstrate skills on their CV which are appropriate for the job they are applying for, claims REC's head of public policy.

Anne Fairweather said: "[employers] are looking for something extra and not just a degree when they are looking at graduate recruitment."

One third of employers have dropped the 2:1 degree as their main application criterion for graduate jobs because they are looking for more on a candidate's CV.

"Graduates need to think long and hard about the other types of experience that they have which can demonstrate that not only do they have the degree to prove that they are capable of doing the job," Ms Fairweather said.

Research by the AGR revealed that the number of graduate level positions available rose by 11.7 per cent on 2007 figures.

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