In the current economic climate, it is becoming increasingly difficult for graduates to find their first job. This is a message we got loud and clear from those who took part in our recent reader survey.
You revealed a lack of jobs, extended unpaid internships and being dubbed too inexperienced for graduate roles are the biggest challenges in the graduate job market right now. Here's an infographic and summary of the results in full in case you missed them.
Our latest Guardian Careers survey is going to have a different focus. We'd like you to tell us what affects the decisions you make about your career, what attracts you to certain employers or jobs, and ultimately how prepared you feel you are for the job market.
We'd like to know what are you doing to make yourself more employable, and to stand out in the job market. Are you investing in extra training, racking up work experience or showcasing your skills on a personal blog? Perhaps creative application techniques are more up your street - if so we'd like to hear about them (although, nice as it would be, there's no need to send us cupcakes in the post to demonstrate).
We're doing this because views and experiences matter to us - and by completing this short survey, you will enable us to provide you with support and guidance on your career.
Your thoughts and opinions will help us shape the advice and live Q&As we offer. In return for your time, we're giving you the opportunity to win a brand new iPad 3 – simply complete the survey to find out how.
Here's the link again - thanks in advance.
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Terms and Conditions
1. The Guardian Careers survey prize draw to win an Ipad 3 is not open to employees or agencies of Guardian News & Media Limited ("GNM"), their group companies or family members or anyone else connected to the Competition.
2. Entry into the survey prize draw is acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
3. To enter the prize draw you must complete the full Guardian Careers survey and leave your e-mail address at the end.
4. You can only complete the survey once and enter one e-mail address at the end of the survey.
5. No responsibility is taken for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason. Proof of delivery of the entry is not proof of receipt.
6. The survey prize draw closes at 23.59 on 9 May 2012. Any surveys completed after that date and time will not be considered.
7. The winner will be chosen from a random draw of e-mail addresses left at the end of the survey during that period.
8. 1 winner will receive an iPad 3. GNM accepts no responsibility for any costs associated with the prize and not specifically included in the prize.
9. The winner will be notified by email on or before 16 May 2012 and given details of how to claim their prize. If a winner does not respond to GNM within 7 days of being notified by GNM, then the winner's prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to select another winner (and that winner will have to respond to the email from GNM within 7 days or else they will also forfeit their prize). If a winner rejects their prize, then the winner's prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to select another winner.
10. Details of the winner will also be published in the Guardian Careers weekly newsletter on Tuesday 22 May 2012 or (at GNM's sole discretion) at a later date.
11. The prize will be sent to the winner by GNM by 31 July 2012.
12. The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and is not redeemable for cash or other prizes.
13. GNM retains the right to substitute the prize with another prize of similar value in the event the original prize offered is not available.
14. The winner may be required for promotional activity.
15. No purchase necessary.
16. Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude the liability of GNM for death, personal injury, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation as a result of its negligence.
17. GNM accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of entering the prize draw or accepting the prize. GNM further disclaims liability for any injury or damage to your or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials in connection with the survey.
18. GNM reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this survey/prize draw with or without prior notice due to reasons outside its control (including, without limitation, in the case of anticipated, suspected or actual fraud). The decision of GNM in all matters under its control is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into.
19. GNM shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control. Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure.
20. The Competition will be governed by English law.
21. Promoter: Guardian News & Media Limited, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9GU.
