Job-hunters should not be put off by downturn, says expert

Those looking for graduate jobs should not let the economic downturn put them off, it has been claimed.

According to a report in The Independent, while many big firms are cutting back on their recruitment plans, employers in accountancy, law, the NHS, teaching and the armed forces have seen increased levels of interest from job-seekers and are continuing to take on new staff.

Sarah Shillingworth, Graduate Recruitment Partner at the accountancy firm Deloitte, said job security is being valued by students more than ever.

'Since other UK recruiters have cut back, we've seen a 12 per cent increase in applicants. We've also already filled a lot more vacancies than we had this time last year,' she commented.

Among the most popular firms receiving applications forms are those in the legal sector which have an average starting salary of £37,400.

Victoria Wisson, Graduate Recruitment Officer at CMS Cameron McKenna, recently told Lawyer2B.com that legal job prospects are helped by the sector's unique recruitment cycle.