Originally published on February 10th, 2009

Graduate recruitment trends in Scotland are defying the downturn, as new data shows that the number of graduate jobs on offer in Scotland rose by  13 per cent.

A survey of 245 companies by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) has shown the number of jobs offered to have increased by 14 per cent in one year.

In 2008, members of the AGR, which includes major employers such as the Bank of England, Morgan Stanley and the Royal Bank of Scotland,  offered 1,031 graduate vancaies, up from 911 in 2007.

As a result, the proportion of Scottish graduate jobs relative to the overall UK figure has risen from 4.4 per cent to 5.2 per cent.

Recruitment levels across the UK pale in comparison, with an increase of just 0.6%, despite a predicted rise of 11.7 per cent.

Vacancies are expected to fall in 2009 by around 5.4 per cent, predominantly in the form of jobs in accountancy, banking and the financial sector, which currently dominate the graduate vacancy market but have been hard hit by the recession.

The relatively stable public sector and the armed forces are expected to take a more central role in graduate employment as the number of jobs on offer falls, and recent data has already shown a sharp rise in the number of applications for jobs in the civil service.

“The economic crisis is concentrating employers' minds on the search for the best and most well-informed talent.”

Nevertheless, London and the South East remain the epicenters of UK graduate recruitment, with 45.4% per cent and 10.5 per cent of reported vacancies, respectively.

Scotland also lags behind in starting salary levels, as the median swage north of the border dropped from £23,000 to £22,00.

Nationwide, the median starting salary has stagnated at £25,000.

Companies cutting the number of graduate vacancies in 2009 are overwhelmingly blaming the credit crunch, with two thirds of these attributing cutbacks to the inclement economic climate.

Offering advice to graduates braving the increasingly competitive job market, AGR members recommended rigorous research of potential employers and sectors prior to interview, early application and willingness to relocate.  To those considering postponing their job search, members emphasised the importance of accepting temporary paid employment in order to increase employability.

Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, said: “What is certain is that the economic crisis is concentrating employers’ minds on the war for the best and most well-informed talent.

"The message coming through loud and clear for this year’s graduates is research, research and more research - know your potential employer and know your sector.

"For those who do not secure that dream job first time round, the key is to take some form of paid employment if you can.”