I was a MSc graduate with no working experience, I got a job eventually, wasn't easy at all.

My tip for ya is:

* if you are still on the course, then try your best to find a practical or commercial project in line with your dissertation topic, this will make substantial difference, in my case.

* if you are already graduated, then I suggest you to do some research by your self, fiddle about with the last technology related to your academic studies a bit so that once you grip a chance you could have a playground to brag your way through if you see what I mean.

From my experience, academic achievement in this country doesn't seem count a lot in finding a job. I'm not saying you have wasted your money and time, just point out that a good degree doesn't necessarily guarantee you a good career here.

What weights more in the recruiter's mind is relevant working experience. The criterias of being a high profile candidate are:
1) Years of relevant working experience, preferably with a blue chip company.
2) Excellent communication skills, this requires you have a good language ability, namely good English.
3) Good academic background, this is the least concerned, still required by some employer. As for detailed student record, that can be neglected since it's rarely required.

Maybe my previous post has upset those students who are working their butt off for a good degree. But actually, I totally uphold you to work hard for better results.

Through my track of hunting for a job, I found that my toughly gained academic achievement didn't make it any easier for me. But since I work for a small company, and I noticed some big companies did hold some academic requirements, I reckon most small companies take more realistic measures when they recruit newbies. They only like people have hands on experience in relevant area, because they don't like spending time to train new graduates up.

The situations is more small companies than big companies are looking for people, lots of big companies are cutting jobs at the moment, that's why I think a superb academic degree doesn't guarantee jobs. It certainly makes difference after getting a job tho.

Still remember a conversation in my office back a while ago. Can't remember originated in what topic, but all of us went on about academic backgrounds, one of my colleague's got a BSc, and the other got a A-level, both of them are senior figures in the company. My boss didn't mention his, I didn't think he's got a degree anyway. At my turn I told them I got MSc degree, then my boss came up as "Oh blimey! you got the highest qualification in this office." Well, the fact is, I had the most humble position in the company, and now I still have. However, I don't feel losing diginity, as I reap what I sow, and everyone in my company respects me, at least seems to.

As I implied in above post, I did a commercial project (kinda e-commerce, shamefully didn't go alive somehow...) for a company as my dissertation project voluntarily, which delighted the managing director of that company. <grin> He didn't manage to take me on as his business wasn't blooming, in fact dying. But as a return of favor he recommended me to a friend of his friend (my boss) who was looking for a web guy urgently, then I got the chance. Initially I was put on contract for 3 months, after that they all deemed I were competent for the position, hence everything went on the fly afterwards.

I was lucky to get that chance. True, my English wasn't great, my coding skills was bit basic, and I ain't got a MSc with distinction. But I think what made me stayed in my job was the ability to learn, maybe I wasn't good enough for this job at the begining of the first 3 month, but at the end of that probation, I got the offer with no hassle at all. That's why I think anyone could have a number of opportunities, gripping one is the hardest bit. One may need to brag a bit as long as he/she can make it sound. With luck, all one need to do next is to swiftly lift oneself to the level of that the employer was looking for. Anyway, that's all I can spare with you. However, by no means my tactic fits you all, as Yoda pointed out above, everyone is unique, has ones own surroudings and experiences, therefore there is no formular of success. My suggestion is only a reference for those of you who are actively looking for jobs. May I wish you good luck in the future.