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Rising numbers of top grade students pose recruitment challenge

Rising numbers of students achieving top exam grades pose challenges for employers and school leavers alike, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Arguing that it is wrong to think that exam results alone have ever been a perfect way for employers to select the right person for the job, and for a more rigorous approach from employers to defining their requirements from job applicants, Rebecca Clake, CIPD Organisation and Resourcing Adviser, said:

"No-one would wish to knock success. The results achieved by students in recent years are a credit to them. GCSE and A-levels exam results remain a good indicator of basic aptitude.

"However, as employers find increasing numbers of students achieving the highest grades in exams, they are being forced to think carefully about how they differentiate between candidates.

"Our research shows that the main reasons for difficulties recruiting are a lack of suitably skilled and experienced candidates. It is, therefore, more important than ever for employers to set very clear job specifications that highlight what they really need. Exam results alone have never done this, and cannot hope to do so.

"Candidates too need to be giving more thought to how they present themselves in job applications. They should be aiming to emphasise why they are the right person for the job, by focusing on relevant work experience, extra-curricular interests and their commitment and enthusiasm for the post. This will be more effective than just relying on their exam results to tell the story for them."

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