You need to make sure you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs in the current economic climate, according to the Recruitment Society.

Steve Huxham, the Society’s chairman, says people need to highlight any special skills they may have, in order to avoid being viewed as a generalist: "Whatever it happens to be, whether it's niche sector experience that you think isn't important, whether it's a language skill that you've buried at the back of your CV, put individual skills [in your CV], because what people are looking for in the current market, it's really what makes you different.

"Candidates demonstrating ‘generalist’ skills are less likely to attract the attention of employers. What are you bringing to that job that is extra and above the other five people who could also all do it?"