Attracting & Retaining Graduate Talent in 2024

 Discover how to become a go-to career choice for the brightest graduate talent   

With a new academic year looming and graduate schemes opening, it’s important to know what university leavers are looking for from potential employers.   
  
While this new wave of workers brings fresh perspectives, they also hold certain expectations that are unique to their generation. Your organisation will need to take these expectations into consideration if you want to attract and retain top talent.  

Before you start your graduate recruitment campaign, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you expect from your candidates - as well as what they expect from you.  

What Modern Graduates Want from Employers  

Unlike previous generations, today’s graduates are much more aware of the symbiotic relationship between employer and employee. They are reluctant to settle for unrealistic expectations around experience and skills, vague salary information, and inadequate wellbeing support.  

Instead, they’re looking for employers who lead with empathy and can help them thrive in all areas of life. As a generation of changemakers, graduates are seeking roles that contribute positively to both people and planet.  

In fact:  

• 91% of graduates believe it is important that their job enables them to make a difference in people's lives 

• 86% said it was vital that the company they work for has a positive environmental impact  

• 62% specifically look for an employer who shares their social stance 

• 72% have either left or considered leaving a job due to inflexibility 

• 75% would reconsider a job if it wasn’t as diverse or inclusive as expected 

• Almost 9 in 10 undergrads say work/life balance, mental health, and overall wellbeing are “very important” to them 

If these standards are not met, graduates aren’t afraid to act. Rather than settling for a role that simply keeps the wolf from the door, 75% of Gen Z workers would quit their jobs without having another lined up. 83% would consider themselves job hoppers; a clear indicator of this generation’s boldness in addressing workplace dissatisfaction.  

Attracting Graduate Talent  

To be seen as a graduate employer of choice who meets these emerging needs, you should:  

• Look to upskill young workers with mentorship, training programmes, and career development opportunities 

• Provide a flexible working environment where employees have a level of control over their schedule and time for self-care 

• Promote a healthy workplace culture centred around recognition, learning opportunities, and social bonding  

• Support the transition into the workplace with structured onboarding programmes, mentorship, and regular opportunities for feedback 
   
• Acknowledge that, with 50% of Millennials and Gen Z feeling anxious or stressed all or most of the time, they’re looking for benefits that support every area of their wellbeing and prevent them from reaching crisis point  

 Retaining Graduate Talent   

Once you’ve attracted your graduate workers, it’s vital to consider how you’ll integrate and retain them.   

To do this and avoid falling foul of today’s job-hopping culture, you can:  

• Provide constructive, meaningful and regular feedback, helping them to understand their roles and how they can incorporate their unique perspectives and skills  

• Mirror the dopamine hit of digital ‘likes’ by ensuring you acknowledge their efforts in a tangible, public way 

• Encourage their growth with regular opportunities to develop and upskill - both personally and professionally  

• Support their career aspirations by offering pathways to development opportunities within the company and encouraging participation in projects that align with their long-term career goals  

It’s important to understand that, while graduates have less practical experience than older candidates, their fresh qualifications and unique perspectives shouldn’t be taken for granted. Ensuring the roles you offer are worthwhile is vital to retaining graduate talent - otherwise you risk becoming a short term stop before a better opportunity comes along.  

How Vivup Can Help 

Vivup’s employee benefits have been expertly developed to help you stand out in a competitive market. From nurturing all areas of staff wellbeing to growing your green profile, don’t wait to discover how our benefits can help your people feel valued and supported throughout their careers while acting as a magnet for top graduate talent.    

To learn more about how Vivup can help you gain a competitive edge, visit vivupbenefits.co.uk to book a demo today.    

Sources  

91% of graduates want to 'make a difference' in their job | Prospects.ac.uk 

How flexible working hours, competitive pension benefits, and mental wellbeing support can engage the Gen Z workforce - Employee Benefits 

The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion to Generation Z Employees - Target Training Associates (targettrg.co.uk) 

How Gen Z is changing the conversation around mental health at work | Handshake (joinhandshake.com) 

Gen Z at Work [2023 Study] (resumelab.com) 

Two thirds of UK Gen Zs and millennials opt for remote and hybrid working | Deloitte UK