Graduate jobs

Anyone working with today's students and graduates can't fail to be aware of the tough job market they face. So it was disappointing that Fiona MacLeod's feature (26 July) provided them with no hope or constructive action and indeed discouraged them from seeking help from one of the key sources out there for them - their university careers services.

There's no denying graduates of 2010 face a very tough recruitment market, but it's vital that they don't give up hope. In the past week 70 new jobs have appeared on our vacancy database, adding to more than 400 that were already being advertised.

And there's real variety there - forensic accounting in Glasgow, development chemist in Wiltshire, business analyst in Oxford, technical editor in Osaka, investment Assistant in Edinburgh, marketing assistant in Aberdeen.

And that's before considering the "hidden" job market; when budgets are tight and advertising vacancies a luxury, that arena is even more important than usual. It's vital our graduates tap into this market. How they do that is constantly changing; that's why we have expanded our series of workshops about job search skills to include sessions on how to network through social media, for example.

Today's graduates must be persistent, flexible, mobile, prepared and creative. The ideal job might not be there on day one, or it might not be in the ideal location. They will be one of many applicants so their application must be flawless and targeted. They need to unearth opportunities and network - speak to people, get advice, get known.

And they can get support with all of this from the Careers Service - but we can't help them if they don't use us.

SHELAGH GREEN

Careers Service

University of Edinburgh