A recent survey conducted by the Graduate Recruitment Bureau into the reasons students gave for acquiring a 2:2 grade found ‘I admit, I just didn’t try hard enough’ (35%) came top of the list, followed by ‘I worked really hard and this is the best I could do.’ (22%).

Acquiring a 2.2, however, does not mean that graduates should automatically give up on applying for their dream job according to numerous graduate employers. Just as important when applying for jobs is both showing a passion for the company and demonstrating that you possess the necessary competencies to do a job well.

There tends to be a focus on graduate CVs towards work experience directly after their education history. This approach pushes the achievement and skills section to the bottom of a resume, despite the fact that graduate employers value these CV segments so much.

Graduate Coach encourages the production of Achievement based CVs which, like skill based CVs, are a good format to use if you feel that your previous employment does not reflect the skills you both possess and that are required in the job you are applying for. This style can focus on key skills you will have gained through other things as well as work – university, gap years, societies and clubs.

It is therefore important to keep positive with a job search. The graduate Recruitment Bureau’s research also showed that 15 per cent of university students who acquired a 2:2 said they did so because the ‘course was much harder than anticipated,’ but a more difficult course should not deter students from chasing their dream job.

Full statistics can be found on the GRB website.