The upcoming autumn months are when the highest proportion of people look for jobs, meaning recruiters could find richer pickings at this time of year, according to figures by Randstad Technologies.

For every job advertised there or 3.9 jobseekers during August, the highest ratio in any month during the year. It compares with just 2.9 jobseekers per position in January.

The figures indicate that the autumn is a good time for employers to step up recruitment drives, particularly with the annual influx of graduates into the jobs market.

Conversely, the figures imply that people looking for work might have the best chance at the beginning of each year, when they will have the lowest level of competition.

Mike Beresford, managing director of Randstad Technologies, said: “If you want the best odds on scooping up high-flyers, August is the month to hire. These figures show the competition for the best talent is less intense.

“You might not be able to count on the sun during a typical British August but if you are in the IT and technology industries, you can count on having to fight that little bit less hard for every candidate you want to hire.”