Difficult jobs market 'boosts appeal of gap year travel'

A growing number of Brits are seeking alternatives to employment, such as gap year travel or voluntary work, amid fierce competition for jobs.

Elizabeth Bacchus, founder of The Successful CV Company, said the candidate-heavy market makes it crucial for applicants to make their CV stand out from the crowd with meaningful experience and skills.

"The key thing to remember is you've only got between 30 and 60 seconds to attract a recruiter's attention," she advised.

Ms Bacchus said it is also a "good idea" to highlight key achievements, which could include gap year activities such as voluntary work undertaken as part of a structured overseas placement.

Last week, Karen Martin, marketing communications manager for Admissions & Student Recruitment at the University of Dundee, urged young people to focus on work experience and transferable skills in their applications.

She said simply listing interests would not be sufficient, as universities and employers need to see examples of how candidates have committed to personal development in the past.

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