Work experience a must for graduate job hunters

Graduates who are unable to find paid employment should not waste time without any employment and undertake unpaid work experience, suggests the Irish Echo.

The newspaper suggested that the recession has changed the way employers look at potential candidates, with those holding more than just academic experience coming out on top.

"More than ever a greater weighting is placed on work experience by employers. A lack of extra-curricular skills or work experience can lead to graduates finding it increasingly difficult to gain employment after leaving university," the newspaper said.

Any experience even that not in the desired field of work can show employers that candidates can apply themselves in the workplace.