Companies Are Scared to Hire 2024 Grads; Here’s Why
2024 college grads have a devastating reputation that’s making many companies hesitant to hire them, according to a recent study. And it’s only getting worse for these fresh Gen Z graduates.
An Intelligent study of nearly 1,000 hiring managers and business leaders found nearly 75% of recent college graduates they hired this year are unsatisfactory.
Nearly 6 in 10 companies fired recent graduates they just hired.
The problem? Recent graduates are hard to manage, according to business leaders who responded to the survey.
In fact, 90% say young people should be required to undergo etiquette training before entering the workforce.
Only one in four companies said that all recent grads worked out well for them. 62% said some graduates worked out. Nearly 15% reported that only a few recent grads were worth hiring.
“The most frequently cited reasons for why these hires didn’t work out were a lack of motivation or initiative (50%), poor communication skills (39%), and a lack of professionalism (46%),” the Intelligent report said.
Other problem areas with recent grads include:
- Bad cultural fit
- Can’t work in a team
- Poor organization skills
- Challenges with feedback
- Insufficient technical skills
- Poor problem-solving skills
“Many recent college graduates may struggle with entering the workforce for the first time as it can be a huge contrast from what they are used to throughout their education journey,” wrote Intelligent’s Chief Education and Career Development Advisor Huy Nguyen.
“Although they may have some theoretical knowledge from college, they often lack the practical, real-world experience and soft skills required to succeed in the work environment. These factors, combined with the expectations of seasoned workers, can create challenges for both recent grads and the companies they work for.”
Business leaders also complain that Gen Z graduates are often late to work, miss scheduled meetings, and use inappropriate language for an office setting.
How to Set Yourself Apart
Competing in the workforce has never been easier.
Sometimes, just showing up on time is half the battle. Being a good team player and communicating clearly can also set young professionals apart from their less-than-impressive Gen Z colleagues.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said on a podcast that your college degree doesn’t matter as much as your personality.
Billionaire Richard Branson believes that your degree is no guarantee of success. Instead, following your passions and absorbing wisdom from hands-on experience is a better enabler of success than graduating with a degree and expecting a long and successful career.
“I’m not saying that people shouldn’t go to university if they want to, but simply calling attention to the benefits of learning from the school of life.”
Embracing a better attitude and stronger work ethic is the key to staying employed, according to Intelligent. Being prepared for your first interview can instantly put you in the driver’s seat.
“Recent college graduates interviewing for their first job should take the initiative to thoroughly research the company they are interviewing for, Intelligent’s Nguyen said. “They should also emphasize their ability to work with others in unfamiliar environments and their desire to learn new things quickly. I suggest they use specific examples from academic projects, internships, or out-of-classroom activities to show how they have developed these skills.”
