Graduates Often on Less pay Than School Leavers, Report Guardian Jobs

LONDON, September 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- New Report by the Office of National Statistics Reveals Shrinking Pay Divide

Following the news that nearly a quarter of graduates are earning less than the average person who started work after completing their A-Levels, Guardian Jobs are today reminding graduates of the need to get their CV in order to stand the best chance of getting shortlisted for jobs.

According to findings by the Office for National Statistics, people with only GCSEs are better off than 15% of those with degrees.

The report states that University graduates still tend to take home bigger salaries, but the difference between graduate and non-graduate pay levels is getting smaller.  The average worker with a degree earned £16.10 per hour, A-Level or equivalent £10 per hour and those with only GCSEs £8.68 per hour.

The type of work being done by graduates has also changed, with only 57% of those with a degree now in the highest skilled jobs, compared with 68% in 1993.

Sophie Relf head of marketing for Guardian Jobs said today "With tuition fees very much the issue of the moment, more and more students are thinking long and hard about whether university is the right choice for the in terms of furthering their career prospects."

"After course content, employability has replaced regional choice as a key factor for many in university selection. It's logical for students that elect to go university to expect that they should be preferred over less well qualified candidates; but sadly, this isn't always the case. We'd advise prospective students to check the statutory placement elements of their course, as this has a big impact on employability worth."

The fall in graduates pay could be down to the increasing proportion of workers who now have degrees, up from 12% in 1993 to 25% today.

To browse Guardian Jobs extensive selection of graduate jobs, and for advice on how to best prepare your CV for the jobs search, visit the Guardian Jobs website.

Guardian Jobs is the UK's leading recruitment marketplace connecting talented professionals with great jobs, insightful career advice and industry experts. Guardian Jobs high calibre audience ranges from graduates to senior professionals in sectors as diverse as media, education, charities and local government.

Guardian Jobs leverages a comprehensive and rich recruitment offering comprising a strong and long-established Guardian newspaper section, and an award winning recruitment site*. Some of the many Guardian Jobs recruiter and candidate features include: sector specific supplements, network hubs, career fairs, industry events, seminars, work shops, training, career coaching, and social media engagement with sector experts.

*Best Multi-Sector Jobs Board finalist Recruiter excellence awards 2011

SOURCE Guardian Jobs