TARGETjobs news roundup

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls welcome to the main event; the TARGETjobs news roundup. Here we’ll run you through the highs and lows, what’s hot and what’s not this week in the world of graduate recruitment. So sit back, relax, and lend me your eyes.

For the second week running the construction sector has been dominating the news, with a number of important developments for anyone who wants to move in this direction. Check out last week’s news to find out about the other significant developments in the sector.

• First up KPMG and REC are announcing that engineers and construction professionals are among the most sought-after in the UK. Their report also suggests that IT workers are the next most in demand, and that the number of people taking up other permanent positions rose modestly in January.
• We also got together experienced graduates from the worlds of civil engineering, construction and quantity surveying and asked them whether a career in the built environment was worth it. They all said ‘yes’, so we threw in a curveball; ‘how did you do it?’
• The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors is also announcing that it will be sending a student member to their annual conference in Las Vegas all-expenses paid. Applicants have until April 30th to complete a 1,500 word essay on one of six subjects.

But don’t, for a second, imagine that the news this week was only about the built environment. In fact there were developments in law, IT and accountancy.

• First of all we gave you a head’s up about the growing number of opportunities in the IT sector. Not all of them need an IT or related degree, other areas such as consulting, analysis or technical sales could be just the thing for you, even if you hadn’t thought of it.
• In law sector news we told you about January deadlines for summer vac scheme applications. If you missed them, or you’re not confident about your chances, don’t worry; there are still other options closing in February.
• We also gave you the lowdown on what the different areas of accountancy actually mean. When employers ask you ‘why do you want to work in this sector’, you will now have something to say in response.
• PwC is also launching its new female partner shadowing scheme. With PwC recently signing up to the ‘30% club’ – a group of organisations that have pledged to have 30% female boardroom staff by 2015 – this could be a good opportunity to make a contact with influence.

But for those not interested in a career in accountancy, construction, engineering, IT or law, we also put together some general advice for your viewing pleasure.

• We introduced an ugly new monster that has been popping up on the graduate recruitment radar; ‘inductive reasoning tests’. These tests are designed to test reasoning ability, and prepared graduates will get to grips with them before the big interview.
• Finally we're giving you a Valentines-themed rundown of all things deadline next week. If you’re looking for the graduate job you will love this is the place. Check out the latest jobs here.

To get graduate careers news as it happens, check out the TARGETjobs news feed. Alternatively, check out the roundup this time next week!

TARGETjobs offers the largest choice of graduate jobs, internships and placements. Independent reviews on top graduate employers and career planning tools and expert guidance. Become a TARGETjobs blogger by getting in touch with me at jackie.balchin2@targetjobs.co.uk