Graduates need to take every opportunity to apply for jobs as it is becoming increasingly difficult to get hired.

Research by HR consultancy Right Management reveals the average applicant needed to go to five interviews to secure a new job in December, compared to an average of three to four throughout the rest of the year.

The tougher job market is blamed on companies tightening their recruitment belts, some employees choosing to downshift or start their own business and many jobseekers are accepting lower pay when finding a new job after redundancy.

Graduates can expect to face even more competition for places and should apply for jobs as soon as they can so their application doesn’t get ignored. However, employers are expected to return to more positive hiring due to a skills shortage.

Tony Martin, General Manager of Right Management said: “A slowing job market is always worrying news for employees, and as the UK enters a period of economic uncertainty we can expect more redundancies in the coming year. Despite this predicted downturn, we expect the long-term outlook to be more positive for employees, with the skills shortage encouraging employers to retain their top talent.”