The facts are indisputable. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) found that a huge 39,470 graduates launched their career at the hands of a recruitment service last year which equates to over 100 graduates securing work each day through recruitment agencies alone. This is a 31% increase since 2009; right behind directly applying to an employer's website, but still way ahead of university careers services and newspaper or magazine advertisements put together (totalling just 23,775).

 

This success is down to the versatility of recruitment companies and their broad scope of expertise and contacts which other services cannot match. Recruitment specialists are therefore able to give that ever important boost for the struggling jobseeker, particularly the graduate generation. It appears students especially are putting more faith in recruitment services that have previously been written off, often based on misconceptions of temporary or office-dominated jobs, rather than long-term career prospects. These services range from careers advice, CV help, interview tips, mentoring and ultimately a passport to their perfect career - that they may never have discovered or been equipped to tackle alone.

 

Previously put off by expectations of irrelevant job recommendations, "spammy" emails and a general lack of knowledge surrounding the industry, graduates are now increasingly attracted to the prospect of gaining that competitive edge, fuelled by specialist advice from experts with a wealth of information to guide them. They are also pleasantly surprised that such a vast range of opportunities and consultancy are so readily available free of charge. For this reason, many are using it as a solid insurance mechanism, taken up alongside various other job-hunting mediums. Hannah, a Management student, explains her experience, "The Graduate Recruitment Bureau opened my eyes to huge opportunities that I had initially overlooked. This is the main reason that I would recommend the service; their ability to understand an applicant's skills and make recommendations is second to none."

 

The figures speak for themselves and these trends certainly seem to be catching on. Statistics show networking is the only other employment outlet to exceed it, with 61,530 graduates moving on through in-house promotions and 46,165 others gaining jobs through personal contacts like family and friends or professional networks. Those who lack these contacts make up the 9,405 making speculative applications, with similar routes still not meeting the same level of popularity as recruitment.

 

As the job market changes, so do job-seeking tactics. The most successful approach requires a blend of the old and the new. Reaching out through social networking and recruitment experts in equal measure will keep graduates at the forefront of the jobs market. With 100 graduates being placed through recruitment companies every day, there certainly seems to be a bright future ahead for the economy as well as just the graduates.