Job Hunting: Why is it So Tough for Graduates This Year?

Employers are actively choosing experience to fill gaps and boost their teams – hoping for that instant impact to counteract the rapidly rising order books.

The rules have changed too – we’re very much heading back to the pre pandemic expectations – especially when it comes to working in the office, adhering to rigid hours in the day and staff assessment and accountability being closely monitored.  

I have a feeling that new graduates had hoped to be entering the jobs market with work/life balance in mind – flexible options and elevated pay in return for their academic success. But it’s not working out like that for thousands who are searching for their first steps into the graduate jobs market.

Where there are gaps in an employer’s business – they are potentially opting for upskilling current employees or searching for experience and existing skills. There is certainly more happening internally in companies to assess skills, consolidate those skills and encourage learning and upskilling of their current staff where they can. Which is taking away a natural entry level graduate opportunity in some cases.

There is a swell around whether the skills that graduates are leaving university with are totally relevant to their desired job and whether that is potentially a stumbling block.

Are students coming out of education with more than just the theory?

Could a little more emphasis be put on the interpersonal skills, negotiation, analysis, critical thinking, business acumen, relationship building and resilience?

While there is a growing appetite to recruit – there is still muddy waters and until they clear and confidence returns to a canter, it may continue to be a tricky job searching landscape for graduates.

But once growth returns to the economy with gusto, and it is coming soon, employers are going to be faced with a shortage of talent. Fortune favours the brave – it might be the time to take a graduate into the team and work with them to hone their skills and prep them for what’s needed, so they are ready to hit the ground running when the market ramps up. And it will!