Topics covered in this week's Infozone briefing include: graduates taking scatter-gun approach to employment ; don't overlook older people, minister urges employers; and one in four workers planning a change in career direction.
GRADUATES TAKING SCATTER GUN APPROACH TO EMPLOYMENT
University leavers are "blanket-applying" to employers because of the fierce competition over jobs. Most are ready to accept more than one job offer to hedge their bets, according to recruitment firm Alexander Mann Solutions. Meanwhile, 18% of the 2009 graduates surveyed were applying "for any job", the study found.
Clodagh Bannigan, head of client services at the firm, said: "University leavers are applying for as many positions as possible rather than carefully targeting the roles that are right for them. This can cause problems for employers."
DON'T OVERLOOK OLDER PEOPLE, MINISTER URGES EMPLOYERS
Business minister Pat McFadden has urged employers to recognise the skills and experience older people can bring to jobs. By 2050 more than one-third of Europe's population is expected to be over 60. McFadden said: "Older people are increasingly the backbone of our economy. We should recognise this and look for ways to meet their needs, and to make the most of what older workers can offer."
ONE IN FOUR WORKERS PLANNING A CHANGE IN CAREER DIRECTION
Up to a quarter of the UK workforce plans to begin a different career because they are disillusioned with their current job. Recruitment firm monster.co.uk asked 5,000 employees about their career prospects for 2010. Only one-fifth said they felt optimistic about the coming year, while nearly half said they thought their career prospects were extremely gloomy.
RISE IN RECRUITMENT CONTINUES
Employers are more optimistic about hiring, and the number of placements of permanent staff increased during January for the sixth month in a row.
According to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG, market growth continued at the start of the year, despite being weaker than at December 2009's peak. Temporary and contract staff billings also rose strongly, with the rate of growth only slightly below the previous month's two-and-a-half year high.