May 29, 2024
A poll by Express Employment Professionals found that 55% of US employers planned to hire recent college grads when polled at the end of last year, the staffing firm reported today. That’s up from 48% in the first half of last year but down from 56% at the end of 2022. However, the current hiring environment is proving to be challenging.
“There are a lot of jobs out there, but it is much harder to land them than in the previous two years,” Jake Domer, senior VP of Specialized Recruiting Group, part of Express, said in a press release. “Graduates will have to be more deliberate, strategic and work hard — but the opportunities are there.”
In West Virginia, Express franchise owner Chad Drainer also says the job market has tightened and it’s a difficult one for college grads.
“I believe the market is worse than previous years because of concerns with the economy,” Drainer said in a press release. “Many companies have tightened their budgets. When they are hiring, they are looking for more experience.”
However, Domer said there will always be demand in the healthcare industry, and there are other avenues recent grads can consider.
“I believe the best opportunity for college grads is in any sales capacity, whether that is insurance, marketing, advertising sales or staffing,” he said. “Most companies are more willing to hire the right attitude and drive and are willing to train a salesperson.”
Express’ poll also found:
- 41% planned to hire college students.
- 37% planned to hire vocational/career tech grads.
- 23% planned to hire high school students.
- 21% planned to hire adults with disabilities.
The poll included 1,007 US hiring decision-makers and took place between Oct. 31 and Nov. 10, 2023.