BIG EMPLOYERS REPORT HUNDREDS OF SPARE PLACES… WHILE THOUSANDS OF GRADUATES ARE UNDER-EMPLOYED IN SHOPS AND CALL CENTRES
Two thirds of the UK’s biggest graduate employers say they are struggling to fill their vacancies for 2015 – because the applications they receive from graduates simply aren’t good enough. But is that really true – or are they being too demanding?
According to the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), 65% of the UK’s big graduate employers have reported unfilled vacancies for 2015. Of the firms who said they were struggling to find applicants deserving of their graduate jobs, the average number of spare roles going begging was a whopping 45.
There are vacancies across all specialisms, with the highest percentages of vacancies in Accountancy (27%), IT (26%), Electrical/Electronic Engineering (20%) and Financial Management (18%). Members reported vacancies nationwide, and urged graduates to think about opportunities outside of London and the South East.
An average of 45 spare graduate jobs at 65% of big firms? This news will shock many Graduate Fog readers who are struggling to find great graduate jobs and are convinced that the problem is that there simply aren’t enough positions to go around. So what’s going on? Stephen Isherwood, Chief Executive of the AGR, proposed this theory:
“The job market for graduates is buoyant. Many employers are still recruiting for training schemes that will start this year. But students shouldn’t be complacent.
“Our AGR members have said that many candidates’ applications are not thought through. Employers are looking for a combination of skills, knowledge and attitude. Show why you want to work for the company and take the time to complete your application thoroughly — spelling mistakes don’t help.”
And despite repeated warnings to take great care over applications, Isherwood said graduates are still submitting sloppy applications.
In a LinkedIn post, he revealed that half of the firms that responded to the AGR’s survey had complained of poorly completed applications.
Graduate Fog is baffled by this news. Graduate unemployment – and under-employment – is still far too high for our liking. It seems crazy that there are so many great jobs going spare this year, while thousands of graduates are stuck doing low-paid work in coffee shops and call centres. Meanwhile, graduates are burdened with unprecedented levels of student debt they may never repay. How has this situation been allowed to happen – and what can be done to correct it? Are graduates really submitting sloppy applications – or are employers being too demanding?
* HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THESE UNFILLED GRADUATE JOBS?
Are candidates submitting shoddy applications? Or are employers too picky? What’s your reaction to the news that many big firms have 45 spare graduate vacancies? What do you think would improve this situation? Should universities do more to prepare students for the job market, or should employers hire on potential and invest more in training graduates when they start work?
Unless employers make a contribution towards training, including providing sponsorship and placements for candidates at College/University, they can only accept what the system delivers.
@Eowyn – That’s an interesting point – I’m sure a lot of Foggers will agree with you!
I think one thing that would make a huge difference is for communication between employers and job-seeking graduates to be improved. Both ‘sides’ need to understand each other better – and actually it would be wonderful if they could dispense with the idea of being on different ‘sides’ at all!
For example, many firms’ recruitment processes leave graduates baffled as to why they’re being asked what they’re asked – and they don’t know how to answer questions (both in interviews and applications). If firms want graduates to perform better at application / interview / assessment centre stage, they should be clearer about what they’re looking for. While there are some obvious basics (spelling, time keeping and manners) it is not fair for graduates to be expected to mind-read when it comes to questions. Recruitment processes seem to be getting longer and longer, and firms could be more mindful of the time (and money) graduates invest in the different stages of the process. First-round recruitment tests / applications in particular are often extremely long and arduous, which may be why the quality is not always there – especially if applicants feel they are unlikely to receive a response, let alone an interview invitation.
This from Twitter –
@Viljariverden says: I think employers need to be willing to spend more on training own employees + requirements for experience can be quite high
Firstly there’s the problem of graduate qualifications not matching up to employers’ needs but I’d say application forms are a part of it too. Did they survey many SMEs here?
I gave up on application forms long ago because of the amount of HR rubbish they entail. CV + covering letter only now. Sometimes I’ll use a trusted recruiter to skirt bad application forms.
Asking candidates to do essays etc is fine after an initial interview in my opinion, but not before.
I had to write a 500 word essay to get to interview with one firm. Post interview I was told I lacked the confidence to deal with MPs offices despite having interned in one. Unforunately you have no comeback in an employer’s market.
I’m probably much older than the average graduate trainee, but in my time I truly came to hate organizations’ ideas of recruitment. One publisher nearly wrecked me with their “training course” (I have autism, since published on merit, another book on the way, first being turned into a musical), I truly came to loathe application forms, the demand for more and more “qualifications” (I drew the line at the ECDL) and the whole corporate mentality.
And here’s the funny thing – I never got anywhere until I told them all to go to hell and started satirizing the whole process!
I’ve sent three articles I wrote for the HUFFINGTON POST to the gorgeous Tanya (‘Talent, How Not To Train or Keep It’ probably explains things the best), and while I cannot recommend my approach to everyone, I am stuck with the fact that a) that was how I became a success and b) firms in general just can’t stop being psychopathic dictatorships who crush the life, soul and talent out of their human “resources.”
An earlier novel of mine has just been resurrected from the bin, as a result I may have another reluctant go at getting a literary agent and it’s going to be a funny set of conversations with me basically saying “no, I won’t fill out yet another f*****g application form; but yes I will come down at my own expense and talk to you like a civilized, articulate human being.”
CV and covering letter really is about OK (agree with NICK), most everything else – complete rubbish. And the odd thing is that the one guy who rebelled against all their strictures is the one guy who proved himself to be the guy they said they wanted!
I’m old enough to stick two fingers up at them, but sorry for those starting out on the road who have to put up with those pillocks in power.
If it’s any consolation, there really are a lot of pillocks in power and that rebelliousness of yours (and if you have it, you’ll know it) may well be what’s actually wanted.
Pity I couldn’t get into the ring with the country’s top HR director for a Celebrity Deathmatch…
I’ve said it before but I think these employers all have a serious case of amnesia with regards to what it was like to be a new graduate.
I don’t get why they just moan, why not engage with the educators? We don’t get to choose what we are taught especially pre-A level so why blame us?
@James:
Just reading your Huff Po article. I’m an Aspie myself.
“Our new, vastly more complicated organisations require high achievers with vision and drive; people who can create positions within the company that we didn’t even realise we needed.”
Agreed, what utter, up themselves bollocks.
Didn’t Tanya write in her book that those application forms are mostly just deliberately fiddly and time consuming weapons of mass rejection anyway?
I spent hours the other day inputting my two dozen previous jobs into one.
I recently graduated and got a job in the charity sector thanks to these guys – https://inspiredpeople.org. They made it really quick and easy for me to find a job by matching me to the right employers, so would definitely recommend checking it out to anyone who needs it!
Both. Uni should prepare people more (it’s all fair and good offering the help as an optional thing, but time table it in, it’d do better) and employers should be more lenient; the fact that this person got the degree proves they’re good, if they need work, put that work in. Don’t bin an application just because it could be better.
It’s beginning to dawn on me that I did the wrong degree. I should have done pharmacy, but I can’t fund a second degree 🙁
Physics seems as useless as a chocolate teapot. I don’t want to go into finance, and graduate jobs are too competitive.
F*ck.
@ Richard. There is a severe shortage of science teachers, you might as well give that a try.
It was the same situation back in the late 1990s. I applied for a number of graduate positions shortly after an MA from a RG university, no work experience/internship, automatically rejected.
I have to say my degrees where in political science, no physics/science/maths so I do understand why.
Bet they’ve got a large HR department though
lol instead of lowering the requirement and offer training. They employ more recruiters in the HR department. Like that will solve anything.
Bahhahahhaha