Graduates 'should be more upbeat' - graduate jobs

Graduates should be upbeat about their prospects after finishing university, according to the boss of Graduates Yorkshire.

Martin Edmondson, who runs the organisation that aims to match graduates from the region's universities with employers, said a recent report on graduate employment did not give the full picture.

According to the Association of Graduate Recruiters, applications to leading employers had reached record levels - around 70 graduates per vacancy.

But Mr Edmondson said too many of the negatives of the report had been highlighted.

And he stressed that employment is more likely in small-to-medium firms.

He said: "While the rise in graduate job applications to leading companies is a concern, more than 80% of graduates find jobs with companies classed as small-to-medium sized enterprises where graduate recruitment trends are more encouraging.

"With record numbers of graduates leaving our universities this summer, we can't pretend it will be easy this year, but the majority of graduates willing to put in the effort will find a suitable vacancy."

He added that graduates should not take jobs beneath their skill level as it could harm their future prospects, and keeps other people out of employment.