As times change, the employment mindset of college students is evolving. Nowadays, with increasing demands for higher salaries, many college students are prioritizing the “soft” aspects of employment, such as company culture and career development opportunities, over salary and benefits when looking for jobs. At the same time, companies are placing greater emphasis on “soft power,” in addition to considering degrees and professional skills.
It is reported that there are 390,000 new graduates in Guangdong Province this year. Including postgraduates and those from other provinces seeking jobs in Guangdong, the total number of job seekers exceeds 600,000. This year’s employment environment is relatively favorable. According to the Guangdong Human Resources and Social Welfare Office, by the end of June, 78% of fresh graduates had found jobs and signed employment agreements.
Even though some graduates haven’t yet secured a job, they seem to remain calm. Many prefer to carefully compare offers rather than make quick decisions. Yang, a student from South China Normal University, stated, “I majored in English, but I haven’t decided on a specific career path yet. I don’t necessarily want to work for a large company, but the company I choose must have good prospects and show empathy for its employees. It should also provide opportunities for continuous learning and training.”
In the past, college students prioritized salary when job hunting and took pride in working for large companies. However, some graduates currently employed in large firms are considering moving to smaller companies.
Wu Hao, who has already found a job, was standing in line for an interview. What’s surprising is that, despite working for a well-known multinational corporation, he applied to a relatively unknown company. Wu explained that his current job often requires working overtime, and the work environment is intense and stressful. Additionally, the competition is fierce, with rigid standards and limited prospects for growth. “Though the salary at this smaller company is about 1,000 yuan less than what I currently earn, I prefer their promotion system and employee benefits. I have a friend working there who says the work atmosphere is great,” Wu said.