Don''t just get a job, get a life

Research prompts new website for graduates seeking jobs in the public sector

New research has revealed that the public sector is now the most popular choice of employer for graduates, ahead of blue chip companies and SMEs. Thirty two per cent said they would like to work for a public sector organisation.

The research, commissioned by Graduate Prospects, the provider of graduate careers and recruitment solutions, has prompted the launch of a new website (www.getalife.org.uk) which aims to help graduates who want to work in public sector organisations.

Carried out by MORI amongst over 1000* of this year''s graduating cohort, the study also highlighted that after salary and training and development opportunities (45 per cent each), work-life balance rates as the third most important factor (32 per cent) when choosing a job, ahead of benefits like private healthcare (six per cent) and early managerial responsibilities (five per cent).

Graduate Prospects chief executive Mike Hill comments:

The public sector has a great deal to offer young graduates looking for their first job, not least working conditions that often mean a better balanced life. This can include flexible hours, home-working, job-share and better holidays.

In addition many graduates want to feel they are doing something good for society in their work. Research by the Audit Commission found that wanting to have a positive effect on people''s lives was the main reason why staff chose the public sector. That makes it an attractive option for graduates.

The new website Getalife.org.uk provides a job search facility which graduates can use to find details of available jobs in a wide range of organisations. By the autumn the site will also feature an email job alert function, employer profiles and key sector profiles including practical information on how to apply, training, the careers on offer and continuing professional development.

Alongside that will be case studies of graduates working in the sector, a salary checker, a news feed and a comprehensive links section featuring key websites for all areas of the public sector, providing graduates with a gateway into the area.

Adds Mike Hill: The recent AGR Graduate Recruitment Survey indicated that vacancies in the public sector had increased by 1.5 per cent this year making it the fifth largest sector offering graduate jobs. The survey also indicated that the average graduate starting salary in the public sector is 19,900, up 4.7 per cent on the previous year.

Not so long ago the work of the public sector was commonly regarded as unchanging and unchallenging. That is no longer the case. Public services are, on the whole, getting the respect and funding they deserve.

That view is backed up by opinion polls which say the public want services provided by national or local government rather than a profit-chasing plc and last year the Chancellor Gordon Brown revealed a 61 billion three-year spending increase to pay for it all.

Graduates are also realising that there is a huge variety of vital and demanding jobs available in the public sector ranging from personnel and press officers to accountants, solicitors, architects and tourism officers. It is an exciting time for the public sector and graduates looking for jobs may well find it more fruitful than searching elsewhere.