HR leaders across industries are warning against hiring recent graduates due to a disconnect between talent needs and readiness. Instead of relying on students, companies are turning to freelancers, retired employees, robots/AI, or leaving positions unfilled. Even when recent graduates have been hired within the past year, 78% of HR leaders have already terminated them.
The findings highlight that companies are struggling to find talent while avoiding the cost and challenges of hiring young job seekers who often lack experience and skills. To address this challenge, four strategies have emerged:
1. Leverage real-world experience through extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or part-time roles.
2. Highlight technical skills by taking online courses, writing resumes with relevant projects, and emphasizing skills in cover letters.
3. Demonstrate intangible skills like communication and collaboration through specific examples of past projects.
4. Share a clear plan for contributing from day one, showcasing how you’ll adapt to the role without requiring extensive training upfront.
Caroline Ceniza-Levine, an expert in career development and leadership, emphasizes the importance of preparing new graduates to succeed in today’s competitive job market.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecenizalevine/2025/01/21/almost-90-of-employers-wont-hire-new-graduates–4-ways-to-land-your-first-job