Poll from the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) shows some graduate employers struggling to fill vacancies.

A sample poll conducted amongst members of the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) has revealed that many employers still have unfilled vacancies for 2014, with nearly nine out of ten respondents (87 percent) employers reporting unfilled vacancies. Although members across all sectors are recruiting, the highest percentages of vacancies were found to be in the areas of IT (26 percent), Electrical/Electronic Engineering (23 percent) and General Management (18 percent). Members also reported vacancies nationwide, and urged graduates to think about opportunities outside of London and the South East: there are a great many positions still available across the UK.

The findings follow the AGR’s 2014 Winter Survey, which announced a predicted 10 percent increase in graduate vacancies on last year. When asked to cite why the positions remained unfilled, 55 percent reported that that have increased their graduate intake targets for 2014. However, 67 percent of employers also said that the applications they have received thus far have been of insufficient quality. Chief Executive of the AGR, Stephen Isherwood, commented: “Much is being made at the moment about the ‘value’ of a university degree in the job market, but we know anecdotally from our members that most candidates fall down at the application stage – so often graduates are not taking enough time over their applications and thus not representing themselves in the best possible light.

 “First impressions really do count, and in most cases the first impression an employer receives is a CV or job application. I’d urge all graduates to really research sectors and roles that they’re applying for, tailoring each approach to show why they want that particular job and what relevant skills they can offer an employer. There are graduate vacancies out there and making fewer, targeted applications rather than taking a scatter gun approach to finding a job will pay dividends in the long run.” The AGR annual summer survey is due for publication in late July 2014. This sample poll is based on responses from 68 AGR members.