How to Get Hired in 2020

Want to really know what uni career coordinators and HR personnel have to say about you, the graduate? You’re in luck. Because we have all the goss after speaking to those involved in hiring from across different industries to find out what they think of today’s graduates and what the future looks like for them.

Let’s get to it…

AND THE TOP FIVE MOST EMPLOYABLE INDUSTRIES ARE….
So we spoke with career coordinators from different public and private universities, and they were kind enough to share with us statistics on the most employable majors to pursue! Topping that list is of course IT but if you are not tech-inclined, no worries. Here are the ones that made the cut:

• Information Technology
• Accounting and Finance
• Procurement and Logistics
• Engineering
• Human Resources

WONDER WHY YOU’RE NOT GETTING HIRED? HERE ARE THE REASONS…
Our uni reps also said that attitude problem among graduates is a big reason when it comes to not being hired.

“Some students don’t take their careers very seriously; they lack direction and are uninterested in the current issues of the industry,” an employer of a multinational FMCG said.

Another employer in the banking and finance industry reported that “graduates lack perseverance” and also find that many graduates do not deal with failure very well.

A recruiter from a local manufacturing company echoed the same: A lack of direction. “They seem to be clueless about where they’re going and what they want to do. During interviews, they don’t seem to be focused – not knowing what they’re applying for and the job description.”

Another employer of a multinational tech firm felt that many graduates he encountered tend to be picky when choosing jobs. Looks like you’ll need to lose the attitude if you want to get hired!

Something else that graduates lack? Communication skills. One recruiter noted that while graduates look good on paper, they are unable to sell themselves during job interviews. So if you want to stand out, make sure you know how to impress!

Another interesting issue employers noted was that they felt that most graduates have a completely different expectation of the working world than what it really is.

BUT YOU’RE ALL NOT THAT BAD…
Overall, the recruiters we spoke to were happy with graduates’ technical skills and they do feel that the qualifications we hold today are better than graduates of previous years. Ten more points for improvement! Your sense of adventure has also paid off as more graduates are exploring job fields away from their study thus increasing exposure, experience and employability!

ALL THE OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF!
Wait, there’s more…. We also found out these other stuff:

#1 You guys really like to job hop…
The countless job opportunities available will lead to graduates changing their roles in the infancy of their career in order to seek different opportunities and find their passion! Many graduates don’t stick around a company for more than two years. The advent of social media has also made way for graduates to move on to entrepreneurship and be their own boss because why not right?

#2 You just like to express yourself
One employer reported that there isn’t much change between graduates then and now. Despite the stereotype of millennials and graduates complaining too much, the employer felt that this is down to the different platforms available to express ourselves. It’s not that we complain too much; we just complain in a public space.

#3 On your toes!
The ever-changing, dynamic working world will require you to pick up new skills and do it fast! Adaptability and a willingness to learn new skills are something employers look for when hiring.

#4 The future is IT As stated in the earlier list, IT is the most employable degree major so learning technical and IT skills like coding, programming, data analysis, data science and AI will increase your employability. Graduates in the future are also expected to be digitally literate.

#5 Practice > theory
Kudos to graduates and their theoretical knowledge! This theory needs to be translated to practice though. The only way to do this would be more exposure to the industry.

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash