Quote Originally Posted by TipperaryBaggie View Post
Maybe I shouldn't be saying this but when I was interviewing for staff, I tended to take the ones with the relevant work experience over a classroom background. Politically incorrect in today's world but it very rarely failed.

Depends on the job completely and the career progression the company have in mind for the applicant. The graduates I know for large brand supermarkets for example are fast tracked and learn all aspects of the company with future senior management in mind - many go on to be directors/on the board etc. I worked with a graduate with a tour operator who was as bright as a button - he is now the CEO of UK/European operations and will be on millions. Good luck to him.

Larger blue chip companies have dedicated graduate HR leaders and believe me - they don't usually get their recruitment wrong. I have seen it first hand.