Why Should You Employ

Students & Graduates?

Introduction
Witlr is here to help employers of all sizes nd the people they need for their organisation. The Witlr team knows rst-hand how important it is to have the right people working for your business. Our investor and mentor has over 20 years of experience running businesses, including a FTSE 100 nancial services company, so you can be con dent we are not full of hot air. We will o er you relevant unbiased advice, helping you to make the right decisions when you're hiring. Our business revolves around university students and graduates. If you are reading this then you are probably deciding whether or not hiring a graduate is worthwhile. We want to help you make this decision, and whilst we think students and graduates o er businesses invaluable skills, we know that they may not be suitable for every company. However, with hugely successful companies taking on high numbers of graduates, it's clear they must o er some sort of return on investment. Some businesses are putting graduates at the forefront of their recruitment drive with large corporations like PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte employing approximately 1200 graduates every year. However it isn't just big companies seeking the bene ts that smart, motivated graduates bring to a business. All be it on a smaller scale, thousands of SMEs (Small and Medium Sized Companies) take on graduates each year and reap the rewards; as exempli ed in our case studies found at the end of this guide. We want to give you the whole picture with this easily digestible guide and perhaps bust some of the myths surrounding employing students and graduates.

Witlr's de nition of a student and graduate

For the sake of clarity and to make sure we are singing from the same hymn sheet we have de ned who we are talking about when we use the terms student and graduate at Witlr: Student An individual who is currently studying towards an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a UK higher education establishment, usually a University. A list of these (what degrees or unis?) is available on the UCAS website. Graduate An individual who has completed their course and been awarded an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a speci c subject. Upon completing a degree graduates are given titles, the most common of which are BSc, BA, MA, MSc. Find out the di erence between an undergraduate and postgraduate degree abbreviations here.

What a student and graduate isn't:

Although those studying A-Levels or BTECs at college and school are technically students for the purposes of this guide we are not referring to them and only those who have been through higher education. Apprentices and those completing vocational courses are also not included in our de nition of a student or graduate.

University: Degrees and Experience

Degrees
Degrees vary in length but the majority consist of 3/ 4 years of study in a specialist subject of choice. Most degrees have minimum entry requirements, usually based around the grades achieved by a candidate in their previous education. Degrees are a mixture of communal learning in lectures and seminars and independent study in the library and at home. Degrees undoubtedly have their pros and cons. On the positive side students learn in depth about their chosen subject and pick up various transferable skills along the way. Nearly all degrees will build transferable skills including enhanced written and verbal communication, computer skills and improved organisation and time management. Students also gain the ability to research material and construct a strong argument, along with the knack for learning and picking up new skills quickly. However not every degree enables students to apply what they have learnt in a practical, working environment. So if graduates haven't gained work experience outside of university they can come out of university under prepared for the working world.

Experience
Many believe that university is a 3 year holiday taken to put o going into the working world whilst of course having a couple of drinks along the way. Although some may go to university with this mindset, for most this is not the case. Students get out what they put in at university, both in their course and socially.

The social aspect of university is obviously a huge part of the experience. Indeed many of the traits you may be looking for in an employee are developed not in the lecture theatre or library but in a student's social experiences at university. As every employer knows grades and academia don't always give the full picture of a job applicant. You might nd a graduate with a rst class degree, although highly intelligent, has spent too long in the library and is unable to interact with other team members or clients. Whereas potentially a student who has immersed themselves in other aspects of university life such as societies and sports teams may not have such a sparkling academic record, but they may be a better communicator or possess other qualities you value in your company.

The bene ts of hiring graduates

Loyalty Graduates are grateful to the company that rst employs them and this gratitude manifests itself in a high level of loyalty for your business. A study by the Institute of Employment Studies shows that 86% of graduates are working for the same employer 3 years after they start. This enables you to plan for the future within your company; you can trust loyal employees who have been in a business for a long period of time and rely on them to take the business forwards. Flexibility As the graduate jobs market becomes more competitive graduates are growing increasingly exible. The majority are happy to move anywhere; they have few ties or commitments and are often keen for a new adventure after university. Graduates are also exible in terms of their working style. Having never been fully integrated into a company culture they haven't built up bad habits or a 9-5 mentality. You can therefore shape a graduate in your company's image, making them perfect for your business. Creativity and enthusiasm Businesses need innovation to develop and stay one step ahead of the competition. Students and graduates bring bundles of enthusiasm, creativity and new ideas. The often perceived weakness of a 'lack of experience' can be a positive, as students aren't ground down by industry conventions. Their naivety and enthusiasm mean they can come up with fresh ideas to move your business forward. Some ideas may be outlandish or impossible to implement, however just one of these ideas could lead to a vast improvement in your business. A fresh perspective can do great things for your company. Motivated Students and graduates have something to prove when they come out of university. They want prove to themselves that they have what it takes, out do their peers and show their parents that university was not a waste of 3 years and thousands of pounds. These are highly motivating factors and means you get an employee eager to take on responsibility and make a di erence.

Advanced Capacity for Learning After years of education and learning most graduates have found way to learn that works for them. They have a great capacity to learn independently and pick up new skills quickly. A ordable and Good Return on Investment Due to statistics usually garnered from the wages paid by 'top 100 recruiters' it perceived by many that graduates are expensive to employ, pay and train. In fact it is quite the opposite, normal graduate salaries range from 15,000 25,000 depending on location and industry. The competitive jobs market means many graduates are willing to take reduced salaries to get their foot in the door. Of course for a business if the return on investment greatly outweighs the cost then the investment was worthwhile. Statistics from the AGR suggest that graduates add 1 billion of value to the UK economy each year, so recruiting a graduate could be the smartest investment you make. Comfortable with Technology Students and graduates are comfortable with technology having grown up in an era where computers and technology are a part of everyday life. With businesses increasingly reliant on technology, the internet and everything that comes with it (eg. social media), a smart employee who has their nger on the pulse would be a useful addition to your business.

The negatives to hiring graduates

In some industries it isn't possible for graduates to hit the ground running. They may need training in speci c areas, need time to appreciate the full scope of their new role or lack the network of clients necessary to perform the role to the necessary standard. As we mentioned earlier, a graduate's inexperience can be a good thing; making them malleable and enthusiastic. However the downside of this is that they ultimately lack industry experience and commercial nous. Obviously many students are looking to resolve this by taking on internships and placements but there is still a large shift in mentality from the lecture theatre to a working environment. Many graduates are eager to dive in at the deep end straight away. You may need to reign in their enthusiasm and ensure they rstly have adequate knowledge in your eld, and when they do, that they are able to apply their knowledge in a way that bene ts the company commercially. Then you can let them o the leash and reap the rewards of your motivated, enthusiastic employee.

Some of the Myths Busted

It's expensive to recruit and train graduates You don't need a multifacetted graduate training scheme and a 25,000 salary to get good graduates. Graduates main motivation is not money; factors high on graduate's wish lists are: jobs with exciting career prospects, job satisfaction, the chance to take on responsibility and autonomy in the work place. Investing time when graduates start and helping them lay the foundations for future success is the best way to attract good talent. Graduates only want to work in large companies Firstly this simply isn't possible considering the number of vacancies within large companies and the number of students that graduate each year. Some graduates are admittedly drawn towards larger companies; this is inevitable as big corporations have brand recognition and a large presence on university campuses. However many students are now choosing to search for opportunities in SMEs as there is a growing realisation of the bene ts working in a smaller company can o er them. The problem students and graduates have is that they aren't always aware of the opportunities available in SMEs. If the link between students, graduates and SMEs can be improved then more graduates will aspire to work in smaller companies.

Types of Jobs Graduates and students are looking for

Students and graduates are looking for entry level roles in which they have the chance to learn and make a measurable contribution to a business. A trainee or assistant job where graduates can learn from an expert is ideal. A permanent job where photocopying and making tea are seen as the main responsibilities may not satisfy graduates for long. Graduates are willing to knuckle down and work hard but they will want a role where they can see the opportunity for career progression in the future.

Case Studies SMEs that hired graduates and have never looked back!
Horatio Investments

Horatio have a team of 15 in their start-up angel investment company, 5 of this team are recent graduates and they look to graduates rst when recruiting for new roles. We have found that graduates are enthusiastic, quick to learn and able to take direction from senior members of the team. By selecting graduates carefully we have ended up with a talented and smart group, who are also exceptionally hard working. They thrive on been given responsibility and we give all our graduates their own roles and projects so they can really get their teeth into something. Our graduates have helped to drive Horatio Investments forward with their ideas, enthusiasm and work ethic. Martin Bowles, MD at Horatio Investments

Allsorted UK Allsorted UK have built their new area sales team out of graduates, these people are key to the growth of their business showing their belief in graduates ability. Graduates are good people to hire not just because they have achieved a level of intellectual capability but they have also been through a life process; taking responsibility for deadlines, budgeting nances, and mixing with a diverse group of people. These skills are transferable, necessary and essential in the workplace. Julia Perry, Managing Director of UImpact and Resourcing manager for Allsorted UK

Manifest London A large proportion of the sta at Manifest London are graduates and we will always consider graduates for our roles. Students and graduates are always keen to impress and therefore come with bundles of enthusiasm and exciting interests. We love this attitude in our company culture Ali Maynard, Senior Account Manager at Manifest London

How Witlr Can Help You

Witlr is the newest way to nd high quality students and graduates that have the exact skills you are looking for. Employers can personally search the fastest growing database of high quality job seeking students and graduates quickly and easily for free. Find your perfect candidate's from a pool of thousands and only pay to contact the ones you really want to interview. Businesses can search on anything from educational establishment, course and grade right through to work experience, hobbies and interests increasing you nd the right candidate for your role and company culture. Witlr also o ers a free Jobs Board where you can advertise your roles and lter the applications on a number of things to save you more and more time. For more information feel free to register and try Witlr out, there is no obligation to use us; however I am sure you won't be disappointed. Alternatively you can contact the team on 01458 836555 or email Nick, the Managing Director on Nick.Guy@Witlr.com

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