Why hire graduates in a post-COVID world

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Why hire graduates in a post- COVID world.

As we begin to see light at the end of the tunnel. Now is the time to reflect on the impact COVID-19 has had on businesses and graduates alike

At DigitalGrads we know graduates are the future. So, we have comprised a list of the 5 qualities graduates possess which make them the ‘way to go’ in a post- COVID world.

1. Cheaper

In a post-COVID world, hiring permanent employees might not be at the top of your ‘To-Do List’. New employees are expensive, especially now when businesses are now facing a recession. However, one of the biggest upsides of hiring graduates is that they almost ‘expect’ to be paid less than seasoned employees… Of course, this is in exchange for valuable experience and training.

We’re not condoning cheap labour, instead, we actively advocate and encourage you to pay your employees the national living wage where possible. But we know, given the current climate, this might not be possible.

Ultimately, graduates know that they are not experts in their field, nor do they have the experience which gives them the big bucks. They don’t expect to be paid ridiculous amounts (as much as they might like), but rather a fair and competitive wage.

For more advice on what salary should you pay a graduate? Read our blog!

2. Motivated

Simply put: graduates are motivated and hardworking employees.

They are motivated to find work, earn a wage, and begin their ‘adult’ lives. As a result, they are more willing to take on challenges and can adapt to change. What’s more, they have a completely different outlook on life and are determined to contribute new and innovative ideas.

In this post-lock-down world, graduates are even more motivated to find work. They have spent the past few months ‘up-skilling’ in an attempt to find work once companies start hiring.

3. Hungry

(And we don’t mean their love of sandwiches)

Ultimately, graduates are a blank slate. They are new to the world of work, ‘hungry’ to learn new things and make their mark on the industry. They question the way things are done, so expect them to inject fresh new ideas into your business.

4. Skilled

Graduates have just left academia, so they are highly skilled, easily adaptable, and up to date with modern technological processes.

With job opportunities few and far between, graduates have shifted their focus from employment to ‘upskilling’ during lock-down. Many candidates will now have additional qualifications and courses on their CV with anything from online courses to learning another language (we do love a bit of Duolingo). Not only does this prove graduates to be hardworking, motivated, and proactive, but anything additional on their CV makes them invaluable, desirable employees.

5. Technologically savvy

Over the last few months, we have all grown accustomed to working remotely. Though no one can say what the future of work will look like in a post-COVID world, we can expect an element of remote working to stay.

This ‘new normal’ will have a reliance on technology, more so than ever before. So when you hire graduates, you’re hiring individuals accustomed to the digital age, who can help your business evolve out of the old and into this ‘new normal’.

So, why hire graduates?

Ultimately, hiring graduates has proven to be an investment. As passionate, motivated, (not to mention cheaper) employees they also bring an element of diversity into your workforce. So what are you waiting for? Start hiring today!

What if more companies focused on the benefits of hiring grads rather than the risks? For advice on ‘De-risking graduate employment’ click here!’ Or help to disprove the myth that graduates are ‘flaky job-hoppers’ now!

About post author

As a recent graduate from the University of Reading. I am currently working with DigitalGrads as their content and marketing intern.
Posted in The Hiring Times