9/15/2013
Nearly half of 2013 college graduates (47%) have never had a full-time job, 41% have never held an internship, and 10% have never had a part-time job, according to Achievers Software and ConnectEDU.
Despite their lack of experience, 66% are optimistic about their job prospects. Some 18% expect to find a job in the first month after graduation.
One in three (33%) expect to make at least $15,000 more than the national entry-level salary for that position. Nearly one in four (22%) anticipate staying with that company for at least 10 years. The largest number (27%) says company size doesn’t matter, while 24% want to work at a company with 26-500 employees, 23% want to be at a place with under 25 employees, 17% want to work for a company with 501-5,000 employees, and 6% want to work at a company with more than 5,000 employers.
Today’s college graduates are 29% more likely to look for their next job on LinkedIn than graduates in 2012 (45% vs. 35%).
More than eight in 10 college graduates prefer immediate recognition rather than annual recognition, and 80% expect immediate feedback from their future managers. They overwhelmingly prefer to be recognized for their individual accomplishments rather than team efforts (64% vs. 36%). They might not be team players, but they are advocates for their friends. Almost one in two (47%) is likely and 17% say it’s possible that they would recommend a friend for an open position. Incentives help. A majority (56%) would definitely recommend friends for open positions if there is a referral bonus, and 23% are likely to do so. Their most desirable incentives are travel rewards, experience rewards, gift cards of their choice, merchandise of their choice, charitable donation, watches, and jewelry. Few want plaques or company-branded merchandise.
SOURCES: Achievers Software, Catie Farrow, 181 Fremont St., San Francisco, CA 94105, 888-622-3343, x3301, catie.farrow@achievers.com, www.achievers.com.
ConnectEDU, Nick Ciarcia, VP Corporate, 600 Atlantic Ave., 20th Fl., Boston, MA 02210, 617-532-3000, info@ connectedu.com, www.connectedu.com.
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