A host of experts have suggested that students who graduate in 2009 are likely to experience difficulty finding a graduate job as Britain's economy enters recession. However, noises from recruiters themselves seem to suggest any such employment crunch may not be as drastic as some have claimed.

Steve McLellan, Careers Adviser at Napier University—currently ranked number one in Scotland for graduate employability by the Higher Education Statistics Agency—said: “If one looks at the overall UK labour market, unemployment is rising rapidly, and the overall number of jobs in the economy is also falling.

"It is inevitable that opportunities aimed specifically at graduates will also decline.”

McLellan did, however, point out that “many large companies have invested a lot of time in raising their profiles at universities, and most will try to keep recruiting, albeit on a more cautious basis, in order to keep promoting their brand among graduates.

"Nevertheless, competition for these sorts of roles is likely to be fiercer than ever.”

Sectors such as construction and banking are the worst affected by the recruitment freeze.

Real World, a graduate recruitment magazine, said: “Banks that are recruiting are taking on less people, and some banks have just stopped completely.

"It means the competition is that much more intense.”

Northern Rock is the only bank to have, perhaps unsurprisingly, suspended its graduate recruitment programme, however there is evidence elsewhere of graduate schemes being trimmed.

RBS, for instance, told The Journal that, as a result of the current climate, it will be taking on fewer graduates in 2009.

However, an HSBC spokesperson told The Journal that recruitment rates wouldn't change in 2009. "In the retail and commercial banking, our strategy in recruiting graduates is to take into account our expected middle management and senior management vacancies six to eight years after the graduate completes their development programme.

"HSBC graduate intake for 2009 will be similar to 2008 intake of approximately 1400 around the world, 300 of which will be in the UK."

Other big names, including Barclays and Lloyds TSB, were not available for comment when contacted by The Journal. But, according to Anne-Marie Martin, director of the Careers Group, it is inevitable that businesses will keep their cards close to their chests.

“There will be a lot of positive statements going out because no one wants to be the first to break rank,” she said.

This year, a survey of 242 major recruiters carried out by the Associate for Graduate Recruitment (AGR) confirmed that the number of graduate jobs being offered by companies had risen by 11.7 per cent compared to the previous year’s figures.

Carl Gilleard, the organisation’s Chief Executive, said: “The results of the 2008 survey present a mixed picture; they are surprisingly positive in relation to the number of vacancies available with a respectable increase across the sectors and good predicted growth for 2009.

“However, although employers are still hiring, this year’s survey shows the smallest rise in graduate salaries in recent years and in most cases employers will offer no more than a cost of living rise next year.”

The same AGR survey predicts that half of employers will recruit the same numbers of graduates in 2009, a third will recruit more and a mere 16 per cent will be reducing their numbers.

Gilleard continued: “Businesses see graduate recruitment as a longer term investment and so there is a degree of immunity from the stop/go of general recruitment.

"In truth, no matter how buoyant the market is, a fair proportion of new graduates take time to secure their first 'real' job. This year is no exception.”

Indeed, in some areas of recruitment, the picture is relatively positive. Napier’s Careers Service said: “Accountancy firms continue to recruit strongly, while Edinburgh-based Standard Life actually plans to increase its graduate intake this year.

"Areas that are currently still relatively buoyant include engineering and the public sector.”

Increased competition for positions is likely to result in a growing demand for graduates demonstrating competent practical skills, as well as academic achievements.

Jennifer Potter, a recent graduate from the University of Glasgow, said: “The old cliché that says ‘a degree is not enough’ couldn’t be truer. While my degree has helped me get to the interview stage on numerous occasions, I feel that a greater amount of practical experience would have given me the edge I needed to secure the job I want.

“I cannot express just how important it is to gain practical skills and experience throughout your university career.”

The Graduate Recruitment Bureau also puts great emphasis on the importance of students creating competitive CVs in order to beat any job freeze which may occur.

“Engage with employers – make sure you attend careers or recruitment fairs on campus or nearby. Do your homework. The more you know about the jobs market the better," it advises.

“Network, network, network! It is surprising how many people find jobs through contacts they have made.”