People applying for new media jobs will have the edge over other candidates with a 2:1 university degree.

Research by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) revealed that 78 per cent of employers now insist on a minimum 2.1 degree as an increasing number of university leavers compete for a diminishing pool of jobs.

This is an increase of 11 per cent on the previous year's figures as employers have had to face growing levels of graduate unemployment while uncertainty concerning the state of the national economy continues.

Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, said that employers' earlier predictions for recruitment in 2010 have turned out to be somewhat premature in their optimism as Britain's job market is still feeling the effects of the recession.

She added: "Today's findings suggest that the recovery is going to be slower than previously thought."

Ms Gilleard has advised employers not to ignore job applicants with weaker degrees and those who have not been to university as this will narrow the field of potentially suitable candidates.

"While this approach does aid the sifting process it can rule out promising candidates with the right work skills unnecessarily," she said.

Job seekers are being told not to despair as there are still employment opportunities available despite the current economic climate.

New media jobs companies are often looking for candidates with strong interpersonal skills such as a wealth of experience on the telephone and the ability to negotiate face to face.

Candidates should ensure that these skills are highlighted on their CV before they submit their application to an employer as this will improve their chances of securing employment in an increasingly competitive job market.

It is also vital that job candidates have the correct spelling and punctuation on their CV as sloppy errors can lead to an application being put straight into the rubbish bin.

Business manager Dallas Willcox said: "In many years employment as a manager, the biggest reason for applicants failing to obtain interviews was the poor quality of their English within their application forms or CVs.

"First impressions are so important when applying for employment. The job application or CV, sometimes with an accompanying letter, is usually all that a prospective employer has on which to form his or her first impressions."

The average graduate can expect to earn an average salary of £25,000, according to the AGR, while a number of the latest new media jobs are offering salaries in excess of £30,000.