Labor Market Entrants: Opportunities and Employment Prospects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58423/2786-6742/2025-8-38-54Keywords:
young graduates, employment, social capital, experience, language skillsAbstract
The employment prospects of recent graduates depend not only on their motivation and professional preparedness but are also significantly influenced by the country's labor market conditions, the efficiency of the economic sector, and the employment outlook of their field of study. During the examined period (2018–2024), the highest number of registered young job seekers at the regional level was in Northern Hungary, with the highest concentration in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market was particularly striking, as data from 2020 clearly indicate an increase in the number of young job seekers across all regions compared to 2019.The labour market prospects of young people starting their careers were examined using swot analysis.
The key expectations of young job seekers regarding employment included competitive salaries, recognition of successful work, and opportunities for professional growth and career advancement. Additional relevant factors were a supportive work environment, a stable and reliable employer, encouraging leadership, a positive atmosphere, flexible working hours, modern infrastructure and tools, as well as diverse and intellectually challenging tasks.
Regarding employment opportunities, previous research indicates that IT graduates found jobs the fastest, followed by graduates in business and economics. However, young graduates face significant challenges, particularly those with only a bachelor's degree, who start at a considerable disadvantage in the labor market. Another unfavorable prospect is that fresh graduates may face several months of unemployment before securing a position.
Employment prospects and standing out in a competitive job market can be significantly improved by possessing high levels of professional expertise, foreign language proficiency, and intercultural competencies. Additionally, the conscious use of networking can substantially enhance job search success. Furthermore, gaining work experience during education, such as through internships or dual education programs, provides a notable advantage in entering the labor market.
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