Hiring graduates can be a double-edged sword for employers. While fresh graduates bring enthusiasm, new perspectives, and up-to-date knowledge, they also present certain risks. Understanding these risks can help you address potential concerns and better prepare for entering the graduate job market.
Here’s a deep dive into why graduates are considered risky hires and how you can convince graduate hiring managers that you are a strong candidate.
1. Graduates have less work experience than tenured candidates
Fresh graduates may have some experience on their CV, however, at this early stage of their career, they are less likely to have a significant career history.
The Risk associated with hiring graduates with little or no work experience:
Graduates often lack substantial work experience. This means they may be unfamiliar with the day-to-day operations of a workplace, industry-specific practices, and professional norms.
Graduates – you must gain work experience!
You can gain experience through internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, and academic projects. Highlighting these experiences on your graduate CV can demonstrate employability skills, potential, knowledge and readiness for the professional world. A study of recent graduates revealed that graduates who completed a placement year found graduate jobs much quicker.
2. Graduates have more Uncertainty About their Career Direction
Oftentimes, we learn our job preferences through experiencing things we don’t like. About half of grads leave their first graduate job after 2 years. Making a career choice as a student is difficult. A study investigating factors affecting students’ career choices explains that career decisions at this stage are influenced by parents, peers, the media and financial considerations.
It’s risky to hire graduates who don’t know what career is best for them
Many graduates are still exploring their career paths and may not be entirely certain about their long-term goals. This uncertainty can lead to higher turnover rates as they may leave once they find a more suitable role or career path.
Discover your career path, and demonstrate genuine passion during the application process
Do your research! Apply for roles that genuinely interest them. In interviews, expressing clear career goals and a genuine interest in the company can reassure employers of their commitment.
3. Graduates have higher Training needs and Development Costs
Graduates who are fresh out of university may require more training and development relative to an experienced hire. This training, onboarding and upskilling requires time and a financial investment.
Graduate training and development
Hiring graduates often requires significant investment in training and development. Companies need to spend time and resources to bring graduates up to speed with their roles, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Take your professional development into your own hands
Graduates can take the initiative to develop relevant skills through online courses, MOOCs certifications, and self-study. Showing a proactive attitude towards learning can reduce the perceived burden on employers. It demonstrates that you won’t need your handheld and that you can use your initiative to develop.
4. Adaptability to Workplace Culture
Adapting to a company’s culture can be challenging for graduates who are new to the professional environment. Misalignment with the company culture can affect productivity and job satisfaction.
Graduates should research potential employers’ cultures and values before applying. During interviews, they can ask questions to understand the company culture better and provide examples of how they have adapted to different environments in the past.
5. Underdeveloped Soft Skills
Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are crucial in any job. Graduates may not have had enough opportunities to develop these skills fully.
Graduates should highlight any relevant experiences that demonstrate their soft skills, such as group projects, leadership roles in student organisations, or part-time work. They can also seek feedback and work on developing these skills continuously.
Conclusion
While graduates do pose certain risks to employers, these can be effectively mitigated with the right preparation and mindset. By gaining relevant experience, demonstrating commitment, and continuously developing their skills, graduates can reduce these perceived risks and position themselves as valuable assets to potential employers. Understanding and addressing these concerns can help graduates transition smoothly into the professional world and build successful careers.
Featured image by SHVETS production from Pexels
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