Graduates are increasingly missing out on job offers because they are not considered job-ready. That’s according to a new study that suggests a growing gap between academic achievement and professional expectations.
A survey commissioned by Regent’s University London found that 80 percent of recruiters believe graduates lose their positions due to a lack of professional maturity and willingness to work. Another fifth described some candidates as “work-shy” and lacking self-confidence.
Recruiters said a strong work ethic was the most commonly missing trait among graduates, followed by communication skills, decision-making ability and responsibility. These soft skills are now seen as more important than academic qualifications: 78 percent of employers say they prioritize candidates with strong interpersonal skills over those with top grades or technical expertise.
Practical experience is also considered crucial. Almost one in five recruiters said graduates fail to secure jobs because they lack practical experience in the workplace. As a result, 79 percent said they prefer candidates with practical work experience over those without.
The results reflect broader concerns about how well traditional university education prepares students for employment. More than 70 percent of recruiters surveyed said higher education does not adequately prepare graduates to succeed in a professional environment, suggesting that many are struggling not because of academic deficiencies but because of a mismatch between theory and real-world skills.
One in five recruiters said they rejected candidates directly based on skills deficiencies, which they attributed to deficiencies in college preparation.
The pressure is compounded by increasing competition for graduate jobs and a weaker labor market. Data from Jisc shows that unemployment among graduates rose from 5.6 percent to 6.2 percent between 2021/22 and 2022/23, while the proportion of those employed full-time fell from 59 percent to 56.4 percent.
Even when graduates move into secure roles, employers report extended periods of time before they are considered fully effective. 71 percent of recruiters said they extended probationary periods for hiring graduates due to false expectations of work ethic and soft skills.
Professor Geoff Smith, vice-chancellor and chief executive of Regent’s University London, said the findings underline the need for higher education reform.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that traditional approaches to higher education are no longer preparing students for the realities of professional life,” he said. “Universities must evolve to ensure students can communicate effectively and thrive in professional environments.”
He said Regent’s emphasizes experiential learning, community projects and hands-on engagement with companies to bridge the gap between academic study and workplace expectations.
The study highlights employers’ growing concern that academic success alone is no longer enough in a competitive job market where adaptability, resilience and interpersonal skills are increasingly valued.
