HR graduates urged to be patient - graduate jobs

Employers have urged HR graduates on the look out for jobs not to lose patience and change their career, even though there is lack of vacancies in the field.

Slow recovery in HR contrasted with the job opportunities in education, training, hospitality and tourism industries, which increased by up to 22%, the Monster Employment Index revealed.

The official data pointed out that youth unemployment had increased by 15,000 to 943,000.

According to the Higher Education Careers Services Unit, one in 10 students who graduated in 2008 was unemployed - a 44% increase and the highest since 1995-96.

Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters, warned HR graduates' that broad training could tempt them to switch profession.

However, recruiters and HR experts are of the opinion that it is better for the graduates to be patient and seek work experience or voluntary work that would help to boost their skills and business knowledge.

Sonja Stockton, head of graduate recruitment at Pricewaterhouse- Coopers, said: "My advice would be if you can't get a dedicated HR job, see where you can gain real commercial, business experience, which eventually can only add value to your skillset within HR."