Uncovering what will make you attractive to a potential employer has always been the holy grail for students looking for jobs, but new research with employers by the University of Hertfordshire has uncovered the winning formula.

Almost half (46 per cent) of employers ranked relevant work experience as one of the top three things they look for in potential new recruits. Almost the same number (43 per cent) look for evidence of a good 'work ethic', while two-fifths (41 per cent) cited a degree subject relevant to the job as important.

Just a quarter of graduate recruiters (24 per cent) claimed to be interested in the class of degree, while even fewer (14 per cent) were worried about the reputation of the university. And on both counts, it was male recruiters who were far more concerned with grades and reputation than the women.

Equally telling was that less than one in ten (seven per cent) employers would be actively put off a graduate due to their grades, preferring to make their decisions based on other aspects of the university experience. Over three quarters (77 per cent) are put off a CV by spelling mistakes, 19 per cent would decline an interview with someone with no relevant work experience. Three quarters of employers believe students who do work experience will adjust more easily into the world of work and will settle in quicker.

But for those without this vital addition to a degree, half (52 per cent) believe they will enter the workplace with unrealistic expectations while other recruiters fear they will struggle with professional behaviour, time management and coping with pressure.

But the benefits of recruiting graduates are clear to employers with a third of recruiters expressly stating that graduates bring a fresh outlook into the company and the same number preferring graduates because they have a proven level of intelligence. Small and medium sized companies also encouraged graduate recruitment because they can rely on their proven ability to learn quickly, while larger companies prefer to mould graduates into future managers.

Anusha Everson, director for graduate employment, from the university, commented on the findings which come in the month students open their A-Level results: "It's clear that gaining real-life work experience as part of your course, or on your own initiative, is an absolutely key requirement for students."

Alison Coles, head of development and alumni at the University said: "Those that do go on to higher education will have significant advantages over their peers."