Recruiting from the UK graduate market.(Feature: Retail People)(Industry overview)

After months of twiddling its thumbs waiting for students to go ahead and get qualified, the graduate recruitment market for retail is about to shift into gear in a big way. This article sets the scene and underlines some key points for prospective buyers and merchandisers to consider.

Due to its nature, the graduate market comes in peaks and troughs. At the start of the summer, the market is slow; with students concentrating on their final exams and dissertation deadlines, but shortly afterwards it is a very different story.

In university term-time the market is slow to the point of non-existence. From October, most graduates will either have found their way into the industry through training schemes or work experience placements, or decided to defer their career through travel or working abroad. By December, the flow of graduates into the market has slowed to a trickle and gradually dries up completely.

However, complacency at this time is a mistake. Retail is the UK's largest employer outside of the public sector, employing 11 percent of all workers and the market is growing. As the market becomes more competitive, the impetus has grown for employers and agencies to extend their on-campus presence and gear up for May-June, and the next rush.

Recruitment companies tend to place the majority of candidates from May to September, when graduate level job seekers are in abundance. During this period there is no difficulty recruiting or placing retail head office candidates as the market becomes flooded and retailers open their graduate training schemes. At this time applicants can far outnumber the roles available.

With Experience, Every Little Helps

Most trainees start in September, with the more ambitious using the summer months to gain additional experience in the industry.