Grads Gain Ground

Are you graduating from University this year and looking for a job? Finding your first real job can be an intimidating experience, especially given the uncertain economic climate. Many graduates are under pressure not just to find a job, but to find a position with a starting salary that will help them pay off student loans and prevent them getting further into debt.

According to the latest Monster Meter, nearly half of Brits perceive the average graduate starting salary to be between 15,000 and 20,000. This shows that general perceptions around this topic are realistic, as a recent study by the Association of Graduate Recruiters shows that the average starting salary is 20,000, with vacancy levels set to rise by 8% this year.

This year's graduates have more to feel positive about than it may seem - though it would be foolish to presume that a decent degree will enable a candidate to walk into a job. In an increasingly competitive environment, it is imperative that candidates do all they can to stand out from the crowd, and this may mean looking beyond the traditional methods of getting in front of potential employers.

Trends show that employers are increasingly using the web to streamline graduate recruitment. Adrian Thomas, Group Resourcing Manager at The Royal Bank of Scotland has found that online recruitment sites such as Monster can add value to the process: Applications are now filed and sifted electronically rather than manually, enabling better information flow and aiding decision making. Since implementing this process we have been able to conduct very targeted candidate searches, greatly speed up the communications process and let candidates have the ability to track their application online.

Joe Slavin, managing director of Monster.co.uk comments, Online job hunting has become second nature for college students and graduates. Job sites like Monster can even take away from the stress of job seeking, as candidates can research companies and even take virtual, interactive tours from the comfort of their own homes, or from the university library between classes. They can also check the progress of their searching, whether they are in the Australian outback or the Yorkshire Dales. Monster.co.uk currently has over 200 graduate opportunities available, and offers advice from how to manage the pressure of finals and job-hunting to identifying the right career and getting the job.



The Monster Meter, a product of Monster, the leading global online careers site and flagship brand of TMP Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: TMPW), is a series of online polls that gauge users' opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy and the workplace.

The results of the current Monster Meter are based on votes cast by Monster users in Europe between 3rd and 17th March 2003. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation. Anyone interested in voting in Monster's online poll may do so by logging onto.