Why is graduate recruitment changing in the UK?

Graduate recruitment is evolving due to skills gaps, changing candidate expectations, diversity and inclusion pressures, and technology like AI-driven hiring platforms.

What are the key trends shaping graduate recruitment in 2025?

Key trends include skills-based hiring, diversity and inclusion initiatives, tech-driven recruitment, flexible work and hybrid roles, and digital employer branding.

What do graduates want from employers in 2025?

Graduates value speed in application processes, transparency in pay and expectations, growth opportunities through training and mentorship, and working for employers with strong purpose and values.

How can UK businesses adapt their graduate recruitment strategy?

Businesses can replace CV screening with skills assessments, expand their talent pool, automate hiring processes, be transparent about pay and career progression, and invest in digital employer branding.

How does Day One help with modern graduate recruitment?

Day One provides pre-verified skills assessments, instant candidate matches, bias-free profiles, affordable unlimited job posts, and access to diverse talent from 50+ universities, colleges, and training providers.

Proven strategies to attract and hire top talent

Graduate recruitment in the UK is more competitive than ever. With graduate job openings still 40% below 2018 levels, employers face increasing pressure to attract and retain high-quality entry-level talent. Despite 42% of UK employers planning to grow their teams in 2024, many struggle to find graduates who align with both their skills requirements and company values.

This guide explores data-driven, practical strategies for improving your graduate recruitment outcomes, helping you build stronger, more diverse teams in a challenging market.

The Current Graduate Job Market in the UK

The UK graduate recruitment landscape has shifted significantly:

Job availability remains below pre-pandemic levels.
Competition for top graduates is intensifying.
Traditional recruitment methods are proving costly and inefficient.

However, there are also new opportunities:

Employers are increasingly open to diverse educational backgrounds.
There’s a growing focus on skills over academic credentials.
Technology is enabling smarter, faster candidate assessments.

Key Strategies for Effective Graduate Recruitment

1. Adopt a Skills-First Hiring Approach

With the average UK hiring cost at £6,125 per employee, employers must ensure candidates can perform from day one. How to implement:

Use role-specific assessments that simulate real tasks.
Test technical and soft skills through practical exercises.
Evaluate problem-solving with real-world challenges.

2. Prioritise Values-Based Recruitment

Hiring for cultural fit leads to better retention and team cohesion. Assessment methods:

Scenario-based questions to reveal decision-making.
Team collaboration simulations.
Values-alignment questionnaires and behavioural interviews.

3. Streamline the Application Process

With over 816,000 job vacancies in the UK, top graduates won’t wait around. Best practices:

Simplify applications and reduce friction.
Set clear timelines and expectations.
Use automation for screening and maintain regular communication.

Building a Graduate Recruitment Strategy That Works

Define Your Ideal Graduate Profile

Technical Skills:

Must-have vs. nice-to-have skills
Industry-specific tools or software
Growth potential indicators

Cultural Attributes:

Alignment with company values
Communication and collaboration style
Problem-solving mindset

Leverage Recruitment Technology

Modern platforms offer:

Objective skills verification
Bias-reducing screening tools
Faster, data-driven decisions

Partner with Universities and Training Providers

Benefits include:

Access to pre-screened talent pools
Early engagement with high-potential candidates
Reduced competition and cost

Optimising the Graduate Recruitment Funnel

Stage 1: Attracting the Right Candidates

Job Ad Tips:

Use clear, searchable job titles
Highlight learning and growth opportunities
Emphasise company culture and values
Include salary ranges and qualification expectations

Channels to Use:

University career services
Graduate job boards
LinkedIn and professional networks
Employee referrals

Stage 2: Screening for Skills and Fit

Initial Screening:

Qualifications and availability
Skills-based questionnaires
Values alignment

In-Depth Evaluation:

Practical assessments
Communication and collaboration tests
Cultural fit interviews

Stage 3: Interview and Selection

Best Practices:

Structured interviews with consistent questions
Mix of technical and behavioural assessments
Use of multiple interviewers for balanced feedback

Common Graduate Recruitment Mistakes to Avoid

Over-relying on academic performance
Skipping skills verification
Ignoring cultural fit
Rushing the hiring process

Measuring Graduate Recruitment Success

Efficiency KPIs:

Time-to-hire
Cost-per-hire
Application-to-interview ratio
Offer acceptance rate

Quality KPIs:

90-day retention
Graduate performance reviews
Manager satisfaction
Career progression metrics

The Future of Graduate Recruitment in the UK

As the UK recruitment industry grows (now worth £43 billion!) employers must evolve. The future lies in skills-first hiring, values-based matching and technology-driven processes that reduce bias and improve outcomes.

Forward-thinking companies are moving beyond CVs to uncover true potential, creating fairer, more inclusive recruitment practices.

Ready to Transform Your Graduate Hiring?

Create your free account with Day One Jobs and discover how skills verification and values-based matching can revolutionise your graduate recruitment strategy.

👉 Create your free account

Q: Do graduates expect remote work?

Many do, hybrid roles are now a top priority for early-career talent.

Q: How fast can I hire with Day One?

You’ll see instant matches as soon as you post your role.

Q: Do you cover all graduate roles?

Yes. Any office-based role that uses a computer, from admin to sales to data.