Dive Brief:
- Almost two-thirds of graduates said they think they will find jobs within one to two months of receiving their degrees, according to a new survey from Monster. A quarter of those are even more confident, saying they'll land a position less than a month after graduating.
- When it comes to searching for work, the largest group (47%) is looking at companies for which they have a specific interest. Slightly fewer (43%) are relying on word of mouth and 35% are going through job boards. Location and salary are the top priorities when it comes to finding a job. Company perks and mission are lower on grads' list of expectations.
- The interview process continues to cause applicants stress: 55% of respondents were concerned about taking a job assessment. More than half, 51%, said they worry about wearing the right clothes to job interviews.
Dive Insight:
For most hiring managers, new graduates make up one of the most attractive talent pools. Research from Robert Half found almost 85% of businesses will likely pull talent straight from college. While employers are largely interested in top tier college graduates, data from the Future of Data Talent Report found recruiters could source more qualified students at tier-two and tier-three schools as opposed to their Ivy League and tier-one counterparts.
With unemployment continuing its downward spiral, college graduates have been experiencing an uptick in job offers. Another more recent report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers suggested grads are seeing fewer offers, but that students are still being selective about their choices for employment.
Research from Indeed indicated grads display more interest in the arts and social services, as opposed to finance and business. Regardless of their interests, students matriculating to their careers will need a mix of tech and people skills to help them transition more easily from academia to employment, according to a report from Burning Glass and the Business-Higher Education Forum.