Recruitment

Students set to reject corporate world and target graduate jobs at micro companies

Britain’s small business ownerscould gain a head start in recruiting university talentthis summer, after new research revealed students weremore likely to seek out graduate jobs at smaller companies than large firms.

In a national survey of over 9, 000 students and graduates, by careers service Prospects, 37 per cent of those looking to enter employment in the next 12 months wanted to work for a small business.

By contrast, just 29 per cent of respondents wanted to gain employment from a larger company. A further look into the findings revealed why graduates are beginning to favour careers at smaller firms.

Almost two-thirds of those hoping to work for a small business were keen on the opportunity of worker within a smaller team, expecting better professional and social interaction than would be offered by a company with hundreds of employees.

A broader question of what graduates looked for in a job revealed three driving considerations training and development opportunities, generous pay and ethical corporate values that reflected their own.

With smaller teams and often more flexible operations, micro business owners could be best placed to fulfil these expectations.

Commenting on the findings, Jayne Rowley, Prospects deputy chief executive said the working environment at smaller firms could naturally align with the kind of graduate jobs’students were looking for.

many graduates welcome jobs in smaller companies, preferring the opportunities and working environment that they offer, she said in a statement.

in turn they offer small businesses a fantastic opportunity to bring new skills and ideas into their business, but competition can be fierce to attract the top talent that they need.

With no shortage of employers competing for the next generation of talent, Rowley advised small business to be more strategic in their approach.

while they may not always be able to compete on pay, [small business owners] can look to attract talent in other ways such, as through sustainable business practices and flexible working, she said.