Surveys Examine Attitudes of Professionals and Early Career Candidates
Tampa, Fla, Nov. 14, 2024 —Two new Hudson RPO surveys showcase both what’s important to early careers professionals looking for their first job and the employers who hire them.
When professionals were asked why they would choose one candidate over another, nearly all (90%) said enthusiasm and drive. Only 10% cited the university they attended, and none said past work experience was the top reason to hire an early careers candidate.
“You can train and develop young professionals on the tasks involved with a professional career, but it’s not as easy to teach them how to be excited about what they are doing. Attitude and energy go a long way,” said Hudson RPO CEO Jake Zabkowicz. “This matters because study after study shows an engaged workforce is important not only for employee morale, but also for worker productivity and the culture of the company.”
When asked what the top reason is to choose an early careers candidate over a more seasoned professional, more than half (55%) of professionals said they can train and develop them in the way their organization does things; 40% said they bring fresh ideas, and only 5% said their pay requirements are less.
Both professionals and early career graduates say education requirements are less critical today, with 75% of professionals and 56% of early career grads saying a 4-year college degree is not as necessary today as it was 5 years ago.
The survey found that landing that first professional job is not of for the faint of heart. More than half of the early career professionals (60%) said they applied to several jobs before landing a role, with 35% saying they applied to dozens of jobs.
“A ‘spray and pray’ approach is not a good strategy when on the job hunt,” said Zabkowicz. My advice to early careers job hunters is to really research the company that they are applying to and work to find people already in the organization who can help set you apart from other candidates.”
When asked what makes early career professionals choose one job over another, the largest percentage (39%) said career advancement potential, while 33% said more money.
“Money is important, but employers are wise to show all the positive attributes of working with their organization,” said Zabkowicz. “Laying out a career path can help candidates see why your organization should be a clear winner in being an employer of choice.”
Zabkowicz recommends that all companies look to implement an early career program as part of their talent strategy. “The workplace and workforce is becoming more and more dynamic, with evolving skill and capabilities that can be answered by having an early careers program.”
About the Survey:
The surveys of professionals and early career professionals took place in late October 2024.
Survey results
Does your company currently have an early careers program?
- Yes: 50%
- No: 50%
What is the top reason to choose one early careers candidate over another?
- Past work experience: 0%
- University they attended: 10%
- Enthusiasm/drive: 90%
What is the top reason to choose an early careers candidate over a more seasoned professional?
- Their pay requirements are less: 5%
- We can train/develop them in the way our organization does things: 55%
- They bring fresh ideas/new ways of problem solving: 40%
How willing are you to put an early careers employee in front of clients?
- Very willing to allow them to interface with clients, even on their own: 20%
- They can be client facing if they are with a more senior colleague: 80%
- Not willing to have an early careers employee interface with clients: 0%
What’s the biggest red flag that an early careers hire isn’t working out?
- They don’t show up for meetings: 15%
- They turn in work that is sloppy and late: 40%
- They are not respectful to others on the team: 10%
- Their work style is not aligned to our culture: 35%
What is the best way to find qualified early career talent?
- Campus job fairs: 45%
- Word-of-mouth from clients and colleagues: 15%
- LinkedIn/other social media sites: 15%
- Talent acquisition professionals/recruiters: 25%
Are 4-year college degrees more or less important than they were 5 years ago?
- More important now: 25%
- More important then: 75%
Early careers candidates survey
How many roles did you apply for/expect to apply for before landing your first professional job?
- Only one: 15%
- 2 or 3: 15%
- Several: 25%
- Dozens: 35%
What’s the best way to find your first professional job?
- Campus job fairs: 6%
- Networking with professionals already in my field: 40%
- Social media sites (e.g. LinkedIn): 40%
- Work with a recruiter: 14%
Is it easier or more difficult for you to find a professional job than those who graduated even 2 or 3 years before you?
- It’s easier for me: 33%
- It was easier for them: 67%
How optimistic are/were you about finding a position in your chosen field right after graduation?
- Very optimistic: 55%
- Somewhat optimistic: 33%
- Pessimistic: 12%
If you had two full-time job offers, what would most make you choose one over the other?
- More money: 33%
- Career advancement potential: 39%
- Company culture: 22%
- I like the person I would be working for: 6%
Have you ever accepted a job offer only to decide not to take it after all?
- Yes: 17%
- No: 83%
If you accepted a job offer but decided not to take it, did you let the hiring manager know why?
- Yes: 77%
- No: 13%
Are 4-year college degrees more or less important than they were five years ago?
- More important now: 44%
- More important then: 56%
About Hudson RPO
Hudson RPO is a leading global provider of flexible and scalable recruitment solutions. We service all levels of client organizations, from entry-level to the C-suite, focusing on mid-market and enterprise-level organizations worldwide. Taking a consultative and collaborative approach, we partner with talent acquisition, HR, and procurement leaders to build diverse, high-impact teams and drive business success. Learn more at hudsonrpo.com.
Media Contact
Tracy Kurschner
Global Communications Manager, Hudson RPO
Tracy.kurschner@hudsonrpo.com
612.309.3957