Academics come first, says graduate recruiter

Academic performance is one of the key things that those recruiting for graduate vacancies look for, it has been noted.

Lesley Winterflood, Head of Recruitment for the UK at KPMG, outlined the professional services firm's policies.

She explained that the application process depends first on certain academic criteria being met, with those hoping to enter graduate careers with the company then having to go through four stages before being awarded a job.

'The graduate application is based on their academics and then once they get through the application it is all competency based, as in the interview and the assessment centre,' said Ms Winterflood.

And although the company has been prioritising certain areas of business in the recession, she added that this practice has not changed.

Keith Wyman of Pitman Training recently noted that touch typing can be a useful skill for those attempting to enter the professional jobs markets.