Work experience a key factor in graduate employment success

A survey has shown that work experience is one of the most important factors taken into account by graduate recruiters. The High Fliers study, The Graduate Market in 2013, surveys 100 of the UK’s top graduate employers. In response to the study, 56% of these employers stated that if a candidate has had no prior work experience, either with themselves or with another company, they would be ‘not very’ or ‘not at all’ likely to receive a job offer. During the recruitment process, graduate employers are looking for specific skills and competencies that they know are required to carry out the roles they are recruiting for. Recruiters explained that candidates with no prior work experience found it very difficult to demonstrate these skills. Importantly, they stated that even excellent academic results were not a substitute for being able to demonstrate these vital competencies. Whilst knowledge of the relevant sector is important, employers value any type of work experience that will allow the candidate to demonstrate the required skills and competencies. The skills that many employers want, such as communication and teamwork, can be demonstrated in a variety of contexts, and any type of work experience or voluntary work can be valuable in helping a student to secure graduate employment. The good news is that the study also showed that more than 80% of top graduate employers are offering formal work experience programmes for undergraduates and recent graduates this year. In fact, a record 11,387 places are available on such programmes, a 5.2% increase on the previous academic year. However, entry on to these programmes is often highly competitive, and students are advised to research programmes offered by employers outside of these top 100, as well as to make speculative applications to organisations not offering formal schemes, typically small and medium-sized enterprises. St Mary’s Careers Service supports student with every aspect of their progression to graduate employment, and can provide information, advice and guidance on gaining work experience. In addition, it can also support students with the process of demonstrating the skills and competencies they have gained from such experience to potential employers, with a view to helping them to attain successful graduate employment outcomes. Diana Omololu, Senior Careers Consultant and Graduate Coach, St Mary’s Careers Service.