The Association of Graduate Recruiters has revealed employers estimate a seven percent drop in graduate vacancies this summer according to its bi-annual survey of 199 employers. It follows a drop of nine percent in 2009 and has led to 69 graduates applying for every vacancy - up 41 percent on last year.

The rise in applications per vacancy, the figure was 49 applications per vacancy last year, is due to a decrease in jobs and the number of graduate jobseekers being swollen by 2007, 2008 and 2009 graduates who have yet to find work. Graduates are also sending off more applications in a bid to find work.

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Hi, I definitley have noticed vast changes in job availability. I was travelling from March 2008 until decvember 2009 and was applying before my travels and got some good responses. I even managed a couple of applications whilst abroad but declined them due to wanting to continue travelling (whoa betide me!). Since I've been back though it has been a completely different story. Every application I have made on my return hasn't even seen a responce! It is only this years applications that have received one or two responses and all have been negative. Times are hard and I feel even more of a fool for not taking chances I had before BUT this year does feel slightly better. I am currently in a temp job (and have been since I returned) but it is giving me chance to skope out the market and I think companies are actually trying there best under economic situations to give graduates a chance. I just wish I could shine a bit brighter than the rest!

What are other peoples opinions? I realise it will be much further down the line before we start seeing positive change but I need to build a battle plan based on what I believe is feasible and if the graduste market reakky is as bad as many articles say then I don't know hat to do!

Other peoples opinions will be much appreciated.

John

Like GenericJohn, I think things are improving just a bit.  The fragile recovery underway since the end of 2008 seems to be stalling and employers (and everyone else!) are waiting to see how the cuts affect them.  That said, I think everyone's getting plain tired of waiting until times get better before they do anything ... so some recruitment's now going ahead. 

I'm noticing an increased willingness to think about career planning and career development issues - that's normally a sign people are becoming more hopeful.  When times are really bad, any job will do!      

I found it hard to even get an interview, in the end I got my current job by complete chance. Sending an email off to a website that had by coincidence offices based locally. Someone had just left so there were some hours to fill. I think luck like that plays a big part in graduate job hunting.