Recruiters have a key role in finding jobs for highly-skilled professionals such as IT contractors, an industry expert has stated.

Phillip Curry, external relations advisor for the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), asserted that while Jobcentres are becoming very useful resources for many, applicants looking for particular types of work are best going through specialist services.

He said it is important that these organisations both work together in helping to find people of all backgrounds jobs.

Mr Curry stated that it is important to remember that Jobcentre staff are not trained in delivering sector-specific guidance to all categories of staff.

He added: "It is important to remember that the temporary and contract work opportunities that agencies provide are a crucial stepping-stone back into employment."

IT contractors looking for work were recently warned by Microsoft UK figures that 41 per cent of human resources managers have rejected a job application due to material included on one of the candidate's social media profiles.