DEAR SANTA,

All I want for Christmas this year is the guarantee of a job so I can buy Mummy and Daddy presents. If you give me a job, I promise to work hard and never to drink again.

Anderson Consulting may offer me a possibility. AC is a global management and technical consulting organisation and is now seeking to recruit postgraduates or graduates of any discipline with excellent communication and listening skills.

I can listen, Santa. I can communicate.

Applicants should be seeking to develop their technical, business processing, change management or business strategy skills. Application forms must be submitted by December 20th to Andersen Consulting, 1 Harbourmaster Place, Irish Financial Services Centre, Dublin 1.

I would rather not leave home, Santa, since I cannot cook for myself or clean my own clothes. I fear that I might starve and die like Tiny Tim if forced to leave my friends, my family and the love of my life, even if she is quite aggressively plain.

Nevertheless, Vodafone Ltd is recruiting a number of graduates for its engineering division, specialising in areas such as radio, networks, telecommunications and software development. Application forms should be sent to Vodafone Ltd, The Courtyard, 2-4 London Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 IJX, England (tel: (0044) (16365) 33251).

I would be quite happy to join this company, Santa, if you can arrange it.

Finally, I understand Digital will be recruiting early in the New Year through DECexecutive, Dublin, Digital's contract and recruitment division. Further details will be available in colleges in 1997.

That's nearly all, Santa. I just want job security, a pension, a car and a Christmas bonus. Oh, and I'd also like a copy of the Screen Babes yearbook. It's not for me, mind. I have a girlfriend.

Yours sincerely,

A M Alone, BA