The Association of Graduate Recruiters bi-annual survey shows the impact that the downturn is having on  opportunities for university leavers. Vacancies have come down 5.4% in total compared to last year and starting salaries are frozen at the 2008 average of £25,000 (and down as much as 8% in the financial sector). However, graduate vacancies in the legal sector are set to rise by 2 per cent!

Just under half of the organisations surveyed (46%) expected to hire fewer graduates this year whilst the biggest growth in job vacancies, at 12.9%, is expected to be in the fast moving consumer goods sector (e.g. food, drink, tobacco and cosmetics).

Unsurprisingly, the biggest decline is in investment banking – down 28% which may be of concern to law grads. The fear is that many of those who would have sought jobs in banking will now be competing for legal positions instead.

In The Lawyer , Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton graduate recruitment partner Andrew Shutter claimed that "taking a job as a paralegal was counterproductive to students’ career aspirations and instead suggested they spend their time brushing up on skills that would help them in the future". He continued “Taking a temporary job could look better on your CV than going back into academia. But going off to learn new languages or something like accountancy could be a good use of your time and could help you in your future career as a lawyer,” Not sure this point of view is universally accepted, particularly in light of some of the comments it received but…

According to the survey, employers’ advice to those who do not get their ideal job straight away is to take some form of paid work if they can – rather than doing further study, unless it enhances their employability.

Only 40% thought taking a year off was a sensible move.

Finally, Legal Week has revealed that "Field Fisher Waterhouse has cancelled its vacation scheme for 2009 as it completes a review of its graduate recruitment system. The firm usually runs two schemes; one in April lasting for a week, with a further two during the summer for a two-week period. However, as part of the firm’s ongoing review, this year’s scheme will not take place."