Report shows that what companies want and what students think they want are very different

As many as 67% of students who participated in the survey said they want to become entrepreneurs within a decade. While many universities have incubation centers and initiatives to foster startup culture, companies do not seem to encourage this line of thinking. Only 5% of companies surveyed said they prefer people with entrepreneurial ambition despite highlighting intrapreneurial opportunities at work. Among students, 63% said they would join the company. jobs immediately after his graduate studies.

HirePro’s survey, Momentum ’24: The New Reality in College Hiring, surveyed more than 20,000 candidates, 350 universities, and 200 employers. It also interviewed 100 college talent recruiters to highlight some key shifts and trends among college hiring stakeholders.

The report showed that 70% of academic institutions believe that their Graduates are well prepared (at least 60% are ready) for work. But only 16% of companies said that students are industry-ready. This shows that work is still required to ensure proper partnerships between academia and companies for practical programs that prepare them for work. In addition, 71% of students said that grade point average alone is not enough for hiring and that prioritizing technical qualifications is a priority. skills However, academia and corporations rely on academic performance as a key parameter for shortlisting.

Most students highlighted internships as a way to learn practical aspects of the job. About 68% of students were willing to relocate for quality opportunities, but 70% preferred in-person experiences. However, the study highlighted that companies are strictly opposed to new internship models, such as remote and off-campus internships.

More than half of companies now expected candidates to be prepared with generative AI skills during collocationsThis seems to be a dichotomy as many organisations are still grappling with the real implications of AI. Commenting on the report, S Pasupathi, COO, HirePro said, “Our findings highlight the need for greater collaboration and understanding between businesses, academia and students. Cautious optimism is the general sentiment because we no longer operate in a homogenous market. Industries are changing, economies are dynamic, student profiles are evolving and so are the requirements. It is crucial for all stakeholders to adapt their approaches and fill the expectation gaps.” How can students prepare to bridge such stark gaps and still be job-ready? The CEO of Unstop shares that the top 5 things that new entrants should focus on are:

1.⁠ ⁠Network and build your personal brand. All students are equal in the eyes of a recruiter. To stand out, it is important to continue building your personal brand by exploring new opportunities and sharing experiences on social media.

2.⁠ ⁠Earn CV points – All CVs at universities are the same. It is important to include something more in the CV, such as competitions you participated in, events you managed, etc. This differentiates your CV and makes it more attractive to a recruiter.

3. Improve your skills: We live in an era where skills-based hiring is the new trend. Attend courses, practice your skills and keep improving to be ready to face new challenges.

4. Get out of your comfort zone – Take every opportunity to learn and experience new things. This prepares them for the future and also gives them a comprehensive understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.

5.⁠ ⁠Get mentoring – “It wasn’t easy to talk to the leaders of my dream companies during my college days.” Now, most of them are willing to provide mentoring sessions and help students find their way to their dream career. With this knowledge, newcomers can get a glimpse of the corporate world and also understand what their path will look like in the coming months.