Much has been said about the war for talent and skills shortages. But it seems some industries and regions will have trouble attracting talent.

Russia, Eastern Europe, Middle East and South Asia, and the alcohol, chemicals and tobacco industries are finding it difficult recruiting MBA graduates, according to public relations firm Hill & Knowlton's eighth annual Corporate Reputation Watch, published here. The tobacco industry is the one that really has its work cut out with seven out of 10 (67 per cent) MBA graduates saying they don't want to go there.

According to Hill&Knowlton chairman and CEO Paul Taaffe, the graduates want to work for companies with the best reputations. Presumably, that means they believe the tobacco, chemicals and alcohol industries have reputations that are sinking down the toilet. It also suggests these industries will have to pay a lot more to recruit talent.

Graduates also expressed a preference to work for listed companies, no doubt because these companies were seen to be offering better career opportunities. Which is a pity when so many private companies, not to mention other regions of the world have so much to offer. If anything, it's an indictment of the values they pick up at the business schools.