Differentiate yourself and make yourself more employable

Work experience also helps a person or an individual to differentiate himself or herself, an important thing to factor in when competition for jobs is so fierce.

"It is essential to differentiate oneself," says Carole Teacher, Mott MacDonald's learning and development manager. "A willingness to work rather than have a good time shows diligence. Graduates these days need to have work ready skills from their first day, such as deadline management, phone and email etiquette and the ability to work well with a variety of ages in a team."

"Employers value competitive advantage and that's what work experience gives you," adds Andy Airey, chief executive of the Inspiring Futures Foundation. "If you take two graduates with equally good qualifications and personal attributes; one has gained work experience and the other has none, it is likely that the job will go to the person who has shown initiative and gained experience. There is anecdotal evidence that employers look more favourably on candidates who have gained a basic understanding of their business sector and know what it's like to be in a work environment."