Introduction

Abstract

It is inarguable that, as a result of the economic downturn, employment opportunities have declined for most workers and particularly for labour market entrants. Workers with university qualifications have been far from protected from the downturn, especially those who have left university only recently. There is no shortage of advice for graduates on how to approach the labour market. Indeed, the graduate labour market and, in particular, the labour market for graduate entrants have been the focus of much attention in media, policy and academic circles. Consider these:

No matter how great your qualifications are, if somebody else in your field graduates a year before you do, they will have a jump on you in the job market. So cast tradition aside — get ahead! (Sir Richard Branson, entrepreneur; Branson, 2012)

There is no denying it’s tough out there, but I am reliably informed that there are still plenty of graduate opportunities to be had if you know where to look. (Boris Johnson, Mayor of London; london.gov.uk, 2009)

High unemployment is affecting graduates in the short-term, but as the economy recovers long-term demand will increase as the knowledge economy develops. Knowledge economy activities depend on the ability of workers to process, synthesise, interpret and communicate information — key graduate skills. (Charles Levy, economist; Memon, 2010)