Recruiters warn graduates are missing out on jobs due to lack of work readiness

A strong work ethic is the number one skill graduates are lacking, according to global recruiters.

This is followed by other soft skills including communication, decision making and accountability.

These interpersonal skills are becoming increasingly more important, with 78% saying they prioritise graduates with strong soft skills over academic accolades and technical skills.

According to research carried out by Regent’s University London, practical experience is also lacking, with a further one in five recruiters saying that candidates are not making the cut because of a deficit of on-the-job experience. Because of this skills gap, 79% say they prioritise graduates with practical experience over those without it.

71% of recruiters also believe that traditional university education does not adequately prepare candidates to thrive in a professional environment, which is leading graduates to fail not because of grades, but because of a disconnect between their theoretical skills and real-world ability.

Universities failing to properly prepare their students are directly causing graduates to miss out on jobs, with one in five recruiters saying they have rejected them because of these skills gaps. This, alongside extreme competition for graduate roles and economic shifts, has led to a saturated market and those who have recently left university struggling more than ever. A report from Jisc showed that graduate unemployment rates rose from 5.6% to 6.2% between 2021/22 and 2022/23, in addition to full-time employment falling from 59% to 56.4%.

And, when graduates do land roles, it is taking them longer to prove themselves to their employers, with 71% of recruiters globally saying they have increased probation periods for graduates because of misaligned expectations around work ethic and softer skills.

Professor Geoff Smith, Vice-Chancellor and CEO at Regent’s University London, said, “It’s increasingly clear that traditional approaches to higher education are no longer preparing students for the realities of employment. With many recruiters believing graduates are ‘work-shy’ despite their eagerness to work, it’s evident that change is needed.”

“Universities must change in order to prepare students to communicate and thrive in the workplace. At Regent’s, we prioritise learning by doing, delivering dynamic, collaborative and experiential classes that tackle real-world challenges alongside practical workshops with brands and businesses. This approach, combined with our truly international community, gives our graduates the resilience, confidence and global fluency they need to step into successful careers.”