Annual study finds more graduating students feel confident

Ninety-three percent of recent graduates report they feel prepared and confident to conduct a successful job search and land the job they want, according to an annual Post Secondary Graduate Career Confidence survey by Right Management. This is an increase of six percentage points over the confidence levels assessed in 2008. Right Management is the talent and career management expert within Manpower, a global leader in employment services.

  “The job market is extremely competitive right now, with record levels of people vying for fewer opportunities,” says George Herrmann, Right Management’s Group executive vice president of the Americas. “Graduates need to be both confident and prepared to stand out from the competition. The results of the survey show that their confidence is high, but most students also understand that it’s going to be a difficult process. We are pleased to have the opportunity to help give them an edge as they embark on new careers.”

Right Management surveyed nearly 400 recent post secondary graduates who participated in “Right Steps to Career Success” workshops across 40 cities in the U.S. and Canada. The complimentary program is offered to the families of Right Management’s clients with the goal of serving the community and expressing appreciation in a value-added way by sharing Right Management’s 30 years of career management knowledge and experience to help recent graduates bolster their preparedness in launching a successful job search.

Other key findings from the annual study include:

• 75 per cent of graduates expect their job search to be somewhat to very difficult, up from 72 per cent from 2008 and 59 per cent in 2007.
• 90 per cent reported they would benefit from additional training to help with looking for a job, particularly in the areas of networking techniques, interview practice and resume development.
• Most (63 per cent) don’t expect to stay in their first job more than three years; only 13 per cent expect to stay five years or longer.
• When seeking a new employer, graduates reported they value most: career learning and development; work/life balance; and, good rapport with the boss.

Herrmann recommends that graduates have a solid understanding of the value they bring to an employer and be able to articulate this succinctly and clearly. “Preparation is key to achieving career goals, no matter what entry level. We advise job seekers to develop a plan with a clear focus, build a strong network to tap into, and practice presenting their value and responding to interview questions. Our workshops hone these skills and the result has been bolstered levels of confidence and preparedness for nearly all participants.”
 
For more information, visit www.right.com.