2023 Hiring Trends Show Healthy Demand For Fresh Graduates

Are you a fresh grad looking to enter the workforce in 2023?  Then ramp up your IT and admin skills, and take your interview prep seriously. Qualifications are king, but when it comes to demand for fresh grads, how well you fare during your interview can boost your employability.

So say hiring teams from 438 companies in the Philippines, in Jobstreet’s report,2022-2023 Outlook: Hiring, Compensation & Benefits.The survey was done in mid-2022 amid a still-fluid, recovering workplace.

Overall, things look bright: 66% of the hirers surveyed expected an uptick in the first half of 2023, with 41% saying they were once again hiring at pre-pandemic levels.

Also read: The Top 7 Skills In Resume For Fresh Grads To Include!

IT and Admin/HR top in-demand skills for fresh graduates

Respondent companies hired an average of 35 permanent, full-time roles each in 2022. Of these, the largest number of positions were in:

• IT (27%)
• Accounting (24%)
• Admin/HR (23%)
• Sales/Business Development (20%)
• Engineering (14%).

The large hiring demand for IT roles is understandable, and continues a trend set long before the pandemic. Every company in every industry has an IT department, and the BPO and e-commerce industries demand constantly updated IT skills. The industry has high turnover and competition for talent, partly because it is also one of the most in-demand overseas.

Based on Jobstreet listings for entry-level IT specialist, analyst or developer, these are some skills you should have: coding in widely used languages such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript:

• software testing
• building apps and websites, and tools for analytics
• user experience or data science (Python)

If you’re an IT graduate and you also have any kind of customer service skills or software certifications, that’s a valuable combination that you should highlight as well.

Also read: Guide To A Successful Software Engineer Career Path

Admin/HR jobs require digital skills as well

The next most sought after skills are in Admin/HR. People in administrative jobs are tasked to:keep the office running daily by handling the following:

• Record-keeping
• daily accounting and expenses
• databases or spreadsheets
• meetings, travel, and team events.

Many companies use customized accounting/HR software for these tasks, which you’ll have the chance to learn. But it will be a big help if you’re already familiar with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Suite, meeting tools like Zoom and Webex, accounting tools like QuickBooks and project platforms such as Miro, Basecamp, etc.

Many Admin/HR jobs do require searching the internet and social media, so it doesn’t hurt to be resourceful at these. Just be sure that all your accounts and posts are reasonably professional before you announce your special skills.

Same skills in top demand for a growing number of contractual, temp roles

Interestingly, Admin/HR (18%) and IT (17%) skills are also the most in-demand for contractual or temporary positions. Nearly three out of four companies (74%) planned to maintain or even increase hours for contractual/temporary staff in 2023. What’s behind this trend? Practicality and the need to stay liquid and agile in uncertain times.

According to the report, the top 3 reasons for hiring contract/temporary staff were to save on staff costs (34%), probably while also expanding the business (27%). The third top reason was the need for flexible work arrangements (20%).

All these are good news for fresh grads. Contractual or temporary jobs are a good entry point, providing much-needed experience and opening the door to being absorbed by the client company. Part-time roles are also more flexible, allowing you to earn while accommodating upskilling, graduate studies, or significant family demands.

These are the in-demand skills for fresh grads. What if your degree is outside these fields or skill sets? Don’t give up. You'll find graduates of all backgrounds applying to Admin or HR roles, which are sometimes covered by terms like Assistant and Coordinator. By all means, chase down your dream job or company, but be open to possibilities. Remember, the more jobs you apply to, the more backup options you’ll have.

Also read: Find Work You Love with these 7 Tips

Larger companies have the most demand for fresh graduates

More good news: 54% of companies had hired fresh grads in the 12 months before the survey. Large companies (those with 100 employees up) were most active, with nearly 8 out of 10 providing that all-important first job. Internships grew as well, with 30% of large companies taking in interns to expand their talent pool and get first crack at future talent.

More than three in five companies (61%) chose to offer candidates jobs based on their qualifications, with 32% citing those as the primary reason. Relevant work experience follows closely at 59%.

Also read: A sample resume format for fresh graduates

But hiring companies look at different things for new graduates, since most have limited experience outside of a student job or school-required OJT.  Of the companies that hired fresh graduates, it’s worth noting that 53% chose their hires based on interview performance. Attitude and punctuality displayed throughout the recruitment process came in second at 37% – be on time, be professional and respectful of others. Finally, results of recruitment assessments (tests, practical exams, etc.) came in third at 35%.

53% chose fresh grad hires based on interview performance

The lesson is clear: if you’re lucky enough to get an interview, do not take it for granted. Research the company and industry, and write out your answers ahead. Make them brief but substantial. If you have the jitters, don’t panic. Try our interview practice tool with a friend – you can help each other get into fighting form. Once you have a schedule, confirm the location of your interview. Don’t assume it’s at the head office or central wing, for example. Plan your transportation, including extra time for traffic. Print spare copies of your resume and prepare everything you need.

Next, write your thank you email and keep it in your drafts so you can send it within 24 hours. On the day itself, boost your confidence by being properly and professionally dressed. Arrive early, so you have time to cool off – or to locate the room in case your interview’s been moved. Afterwards, thank the interviewer for their time, and set follow-up reminders in your calendar.

SEEK Better fresh graduate jobs

Job hunting as a fresh grad is always challenging, but it’s an adventure too. So stay strong and focused. If you don’t hear from an employer, follow up but don’t tie yourself in knots – use the time to learn new things and expand both your skills and your search parameters.

Eventually you’ll find your first job, and it’s on to your next challenge: how to survive it.

Fresh grad or not, it’s time to#SEEKBetterin 2023. Update your profile, explore careers and search the freshest job opportunities. Download the JobStreet app on the App Store and Google Play. Most of all, make time to explore the practical calculators and templates on Career Resources for useful real-world advice.