The number of people unemployed in the UK rose by 5.2% in the three months to September, reaching 2.62m people or 8.3% of the working-age population, but Phil Sheridan, the UK managing director of Robert Half International is keen to point out technical sectors where there are still job vacancies.

Sheridan says: “Business services, natural resources and some areas of financial services are industries where demand still outweighs supply for top talent, particularly in finance, accounting and IT.”

He continues: “There is movement in the job market and opportunities are available for those who display a strong commercial acumen, effective communication skills and solid technical aptitude.”

As Ian Brinkley, director of not-for-profit organisation The Work Foundation explains, youth unemployment is of particular concern: “Over half of the fall in employment is accounted for by the under 25s and unemployment has exceeded one million for the first time since the start of the recession.”

The chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation Kevin Green (right) says: “If we are to tackle youth employment we need to see two things urgently happen. First, we need to stimulate demand through practical measures such as a National Insurance holiday for SMEs taking on young jobseekers.

“Second, we must galvanise the involvement of businesses and employment experts to raise awareness and aspirations and build better bridges into work.

Carmen Watson, managing director of Pertemps Recruitment Partnership says it is too early to see the results of the the government’s Work Programme, but advises: “Savvy job seekers who do their research into these industries and create a polished persona to present to potential employers will give themselves a huge advantage.”