Almost a quarter (24%) professionals were forced to take jobs they were over-qualified for or in a sector unrelated to their expertise during the recession, according to research by international recruiter Badenoch & Clark.

The study also shows that 34% of those surveyed have been in a role which hasn’t challenged them or allowed them to learn new skills since the recession took hold.

Under-24s have been hardest hit with 33% of the age group forced to take a job for which they were over qualified, while professionals in the legal (20%) and banking and financial services (17%) sectors were most likely than any other sector to take a job totally unrelated to their core skills.

Around two fifths (41%) of professionals plan to change their job in the next year, hoping to land a more suitable role.

Neil Wilson, managing director of Badenoch & Clark, says: “What this study reveals is the extent to which the recession has negatively impacted on people’s career plans.

“Professionals with ‘bruised CVs’ need to think carefully about how this will impact on the future of their career, and start taking every opportunity to address the situation now.