America Employed: Companies Eager to Hire Graduates; Valid Career Gaps

America Employed explores the state of employment and unemployment in the United States. Learn more about the latest insights, according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey. This month’s topics include the hiring outlook for recent college graduates and addressing career gaps.

Regarding new alumni, the survey revealed:

  • 55% of American employers plan to hire recent alumni
  • Hiring managers also plan to employ college students (41%), vocational/career tech graduates (37%), high school students (23%), and adults with a disability (21%)
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Infographic showing percentages of companies planning to hire college grads from 2021 to 2023 with hands reaching for graduation caps.

Text says: Companies Planning to Hire College Grads: 48% First Half of 2021, 52% Second Half of 2021, 51% First Half of 2022, 56% Second Half of 2022, 48% First Half of 2023, 55% Second Half of 2023.

Source: The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between Oct. 31 and Nov. 10, 2023, among 1,007 U.S. hiring decision-makers.

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Infographic titled "Acceptable Reasons for Large Gaps in Resumes" with bar graphs showing percentages for men and women accepting various reasons for resume gaps.

Bar Graph Descriptions and Percentages say:

Health Issues: Men 69%, Women 79%
Caring for an Elderly Parent: Men 61%, Women 74%
Staying at Home with a Child: Men 60%, Women 74%
Going to School: Men 58%, Women 73%

The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 9 to 26, 2023, among 1,002 adults ages 18 and older.

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For workers whose resumes include career gaps, the survey showed:

  • 95% of U.S. hiring decision-makers recognize valid reasons for sizable work gaps
  • Hiring decision-makers and job seekers largely agree that health issues, staying home with a child, going to school, and caring for an elderly parent are among acceptable reasons for large gaps on resumes
  • Read more

Last Updated on October 30, 2024