[Noeler]

Hi Martin, i found myself in exactly the same place as you. I graduated with a degree in zoology in 2006, after some traveling and volunteering abroad, i am now finding it hard to get employment. So i've decided to attend a masters course. While finding out about the courses i also looked at employment opportunities and ecological consultancy seems to appeal to me.
After speaking to some consultants iv'e found some information which i found helpful and may be helpful to you.
If you want to fast track your career do a MSc, ive applied for the conservation biodiversity course at Exeter
You need good ID skills mainly plants, reptiles/amphibians,
Volunteer for local trusts - It will help you network and build up your ID skills, also help take part in surveys especially bats and reptiles as they will go to help getting a protected species licence (if you feel you will need one). NAARS do a good reptile course
Also try and get some voluteer work with companies themselves, ive writeen off to quite a few ecology consultants just askiing them if they need any field assistants (though i won't be paid) so i also need to try and find some kind of income
Some consultancies also run training courses. take a look at Acorn Eology
All in all it seems that experience is the most important thing, many employers only ask for a degree in a biologically related subject.
Hope this helps mate, hang in there, i know i'm trying to