Graduates And Employers Are Out Of Touch Over Jobs

As youth unemployment figures remain high, graduates are changing their attitudes towards work but they are still feeling employers are out of reach.

Leeds (I-Newswire) September 24, 2012 - Our Class of 2012 are now less focused on money in terms of jobs that should mean the doors of opportunity are open wider than before. However, 2/3 graduates believe that there are fewer jobs available to them than in 2007 and more than half say that the majority of their classmates have been unable to secure a job after graduating.

Employers have stated that their recruitment levels have been maintained and that they are actively recruiting for graduates into entry level positions.

The results show that there is a clear disparity between the views of the graduates and those of employers. Although graduates feel there is a shortage of schemes available to them, 86% of the employers that took part in the survey say they have not cut back on them in the last 5 years.

Employers may believe that there are schemes out there, but the contrasting results show that they should be doing more to ensure that graduates opportunities are more visible. This could include adapting the roles they offer to match the enthusiasm and career-driven attitude of graduates.

Jonathan Fieldhouse, Sales Director at Online Resourcing commented on the results:

“These opinions just don’t reflect the facts. This year we have had quite the influx of graduate roles across a variety of specialist and general areas. It may be the case that graduates aren’t prepared for what to actually expect and look for.”

As money is no longer a top priority for graduates, employers could focus on engaging with graduates at an earlier stage in their job search. Graduates need to know what is out there and what to look for.

The research was conducted by the Hay Group. It surveyed 600 university graduates as well as 40 of the UK’s largest graduate employers such as Coca-Cola, Marks & Spencer and Royal Mail.