Students should look at their non-academic skills because employers are upping the ante, according to recent studies.
Graduates have been advised to look at their broader range of skills - not just their specialities - when looking for jobs, an expert has claimed.
Sonja Stockton, PricewaterhouseCoopers head of student recruitment, said a study by the firm revealed many graduates were worried about job security.
The research concluded 81 per cent of students and graduates are more focused on getting a job than using their degrees.
Some 42 per cent expected lower pay in the current climate and 60 per cent had debt between £10,000 and £20,000.
Ms Stockton said the large numbers of students and graduates showing concern about their job prospects highlighted the need for them to consider their options "as early as possible".
"In a tight jobs market, students need to examine how their non-academic skills can combine with a good quality degree to make their application and experience distinctive."
The company is running a campaign called Take F1VE - which aims to help students focus on employability skills and looks further than academic achievement.
Meanwhile, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's Annual Industry Turnover and Key Volumes Survey 2007-8 revealed employers are willing to pay more for candidates with the right skills, qualifications and experience.
Chief executive Kevin Green said firms were more interested in permanent employees.
"The huge growth in permanent recruitment turnover shows that employers are willing to pay more for the right candidate," he said.
The other side of this coin is that some experts believe industry should play a more active part in helping universities provide better skills training, according to a recent report by the Confederation of British Industry.
However, on the job experience can also be backed up by workers taking a vocational course, such as an NVQ.
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