Recruiting New Graduates: What Success Profile Are Organizations Looking For?

European Work and Organizational Psychology, InPractice Journal, sa.12, ss.75-96, 2020 (Hakemli Dergi)

In today’s competitive business world, even though young adults strive to be employed

by well-known corporations, having a degree does not guarantee an employment

opportunity. Employers prefer candidates not only with qualifications, but also with

a ‘success profile’ comprised of competencies, personal attributes, experience and

knowledge that portray a holistic view of success (DDI, 2009). This study aims to

shed light on the ‘success profile’ organizations are looking for from new graduates

regardless of the positions they are being recruited for. As part of the study, 205

participants (predominantly recruitment professionals) from both multinational and

local companies based in Istanbul, took part in an on-line survey. According to the

results, the criteria identified in order of importance were; working as part of a team,

written communication skills, analysing and gathering information (competencies);

knowledge of advanced English, degree course and prestige of university (knowledge);

internship experience, taking part in extracurricular activities, volunteer work

(experience) and; highly responsible, continuous learner and good communicator

(personal attributes). Personal attributes were followed by competencies, knowledge

and experience in terms of priority rankings. The findings and their implications will

be discussed as to how these criteria can be fostered during educational years and

beyond.

Keywords: new graduate recruitment, success profile, personal attributes, competencies