Data from the ONS shows the number of graduates aged 21-30 in highly skilled jobs has fallen from 61.7% in 2022 to 60.4% in 2023., external

Stephen Isherwood, joint-CEO at the Institute of Student Employers, said it had always been a challenge to land a graduate job.

Mr Isherwood said many students experienced a “wake-up call” when leaving university as course places often did not correlate to the amount of industry positions.

“The number of applications students are making means there’s a lot more competition for jobs,” Mr Isherwood explained.

“Most employers do not limit who can apply, which means more students can apply for jobs, which means more students will be rejected,” he added.

After a 15-month job search James secured a role as a paralegal at a law firm in Hull.

He still posts on social media, in the hope of helping people who are in his position and feel “lost”.

“Social media paints this picture with law where you go to university and you come out with a training contract,” he said.

He advises graduates struggling to find roles to “not take rejection personally”.

“Take it in your stride.”

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