Choosing the right university course is only part of what people need to do if they want to get their perfect job, new research suggests.

According to a study by AAT, only two per cent of university graduates believe their academic qualifications helped to distinguish them from other candidates when they applied for their current job.

Indeed, most of those polled said it was their other qualifications and experiences that ultimately swayed the opinion of the recruiter.

This is a clear sign that while academic qualifications such as university degrees are vitally important, they are certainly not the be all and end all when it comes to applying for a job.

If you want to secure your ideal position, you will need to try to develop a broad set of skills and capabilities and be able to position yourself as a good all-rounder.

Academic qualifications are often the minimum requirement for job applicants, rather than the only requirement, so you need to take steps to show employers you have done more than sit in a classroom and study.

"University degrees don't necessarily aid in the hunt for working happiness," AAT observed.

Figures from the organisation showed that less than one in five workers love their current role, with many of those polled saying they don't feel challenged or satisfied.

Nevertheless, it seems people are not 100 per cent sure of what their ideal job might be. Nearly two-thirds of respondents to the survey admitted they do not have a perfect position in mind, which could explain why many haven't sought to gain the skills and qualifications they need to get a job in which they'll be happy.

AAT also revealed that about one in four people do believe they will achieve their ultimate ambition at some point in their lives. However, one in three are not so positive and have dismissed the chances of them getting to where they want to be.

So if you aren't happy at work or are struggling to get a job you think you might enjoy, look beyond academic qualifications and get other useful things to add to your CV.