1. “Inspiring individuals to realise their potential” Sarah Pinner 8 October 2009 1

2. 2 A Agenda Me and my story. What is going on in the marketplace? What are employers looking for from graduates? What skills do graduates need? About Graduate Impact. Summary.

3. 3 What is going on in the marketplace? Half of employers receiving more than 50 applications for every graduate job There is a boom in those abandoning their fledgling careers to go travelling. A leading student travel company is reporting a 14% increase in applications for visas to work abroad compared with last year Up to 40,000 of this year's graduates will still be struggling to find work in six months' time, according to figures compiled for the Guardian A survey of 55 of Britain's top universities reveals an avalanche of demand for careers services from jobless students and a big rise in the numbers applying to do postgraduate courses Unemployment for 18 to 24-year-olds was 731,000 in the three months to July 2009, up 36,000 (5%) from the three months to April 2009 There is evidence to suggest that intense competition is causing erratic graduate behaviour in some cases with candidates applying for jobs they would not normally have considered or are not passionate about

4. What are employers looking for? Employability skills. *  Communication.  Motivation.  Independence.  Analysis.  Confidence.  Problem Solving. * Employer and university engagement in the use and development of graduate skill, DfE” research report, RR835A 4

5. And from the employers…….  Basic skills. Application Telephone interview Assessment centres  Communication.  Commerciality.  Self awareness.  Enthusiasm. 5

6. 6 I Its not all bad news… In the public sector the number of jobs in the last quarter increased by almost 9%.* The AGR Recruitment Survey revealed that the 2009 graduate applications were of a higher standard than previous years, with 40% of employers reporting higher standards this year.* Wide range of support available. Graduate Impact. * AGR Graduate Recruitment Survey 2009

7. About Graduate Impact Build on the work of the University Careers Service and bring commerciality from former corporate recruiters, business and HR managers, to give the students a competitive edge in the job market. Work with graduate employers on a consultative basis to reviewing their graduate strategy to attract and retain the best graduates. As part of the attraction strategy, we can represent the employers at campus events running skills workshops, attending graduate fairs and delivering presentations to potential candidates. 7

8. Summary Yes, we’re experiencing a recession. It’s not all doom and gloom! Support, resources and organisations to help students. 8