A graduate is demonstrating his determination to find a job by standing in a busy Leicester street advertising his services.
Motorists travelling into the city from London Road and Waterloo Way yesterday may have noticed a smartly- dressed young man standing with a placard outside the Y Theatre.
His sign reads: "Politics graduate seeking full-time employment. Pull up for a CV or ring 07892 98 8321."
The man behind the message is Luke Wheatley, a Lancaster University graduate from Fleckney.
"It may look odd, but I felt I've got to do something if I'm going to find a good job," said the 23-year-old.
Luke stood stoically on the roadside from 7am right through to 5.30pm yesterday, his first day of advertising.
Like many leaving university this summer, Luke has found the job market an unforgiving place.
"Since I finished my exams in May, I've been firing off CVs to firms left, right and centre, but haven't received a single reply – or even an acknowledgement," he said.
"It's extremely frustrating and can get you a bit down sometimes."
The former Robert Smyth Academy, Market Harborough, and Regent College pupil, said: "I've got quite a few debts, like many other graduates, and owe a friend a fair bit of money too after we went to watch the World Cup in Brazil together and he helped me out.
"I've worked part-time at Fleckney Fish Bar since I was a teenager and it's helped me get by, and I'm living at my mum and dad's, but I need a full-time job.
"I'm keen to learn and willing to work extremely hard."
Luke's job-hunting strategy was inspired by the much-publicised case of marketing graduate Alfred Ajani, 22, who stood in London's Waterloo Station and advertised his skills to commuters.
"I was watching the TV with my dad the other day, and he said, 'Why don't you do that?'
"I thought, 'Why not?'"
Luke said he has been taken aback by the reception he has received from motorists and passers-by.
"It was a bit embarrassing at first, but as the day went on, more and more people stopped to have a chat," he said.
Luke ended up handing out several of his CVs, with three people stopping to ask for his number. "It's a start," he said. "Everybody was really supportive. There were people beeping their horns and giving me the thumbs-up and praising my initiative.
"What could be seen as a desperate move has made me feel incredibly positive.
"I will be out there everyday, whatever the weather, until I find a job."
Luke's mum, Joanne, 48, is full of praise for him.
"He's very outgoing, pleasant and can't do enough for anybody," she said.
"He's really enthusiastic and I think what he's doing is fantastic.
"It's so tough for young people these days, but this shows everybody that Luke's got the initiative and bravery to succeed."
Stavros Paphitis, owner of Fleckney Fish Bar, said: "Luke's a great young man and has been with us for seven years.
"He's always helpful and shows a lot of initiative.
"He even delayed going to uni for a year when my wife was having a baby, just to help us out.
"Luke's part of the family, and everyone in the village loves him.
"If he could get a good job, I'll be so pleased for him – he deserves it."
Meanwhile, Luke is set to start on the first rung of a potential political career next month, when he stands for nomination to Fleckney Parish Council.
