Employers are growing more hesitant to hire members of the class of 2024, compounding the already difficult job market.
Indeed, according to a recent study of 1,268 business executives in the U.S. by higher education website Intelligent.com, 64% of employers stated they had grown apprehensive about recruiting graduates in the previous five years generally.
While 22% of businesses are hesitant to recruit recent graduates who have taken part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, almost a third of employers are especially concerned about employing recent graduates who have attended pro-Palestinian rallies in the last six months.
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have broken out at American schools.
Over 1,200 people were killed in the terror assault in Israel on October 7th, according to official numbers attributed to the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. Furthermore, Gaza's health officials report that over 35,000 Palestinians have died in the subsequent Israel-Hamas conflict.
Prominent universities such as Columbia University, the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan, and the University of Mississippi have sent representatives to participate in the campaign.
According to the survey, nearly two-thirds of employers stated they were hesitant to hire protesters due to concerns that they might behave confrontationally at work, and more than half said it was because they were too political and might cause discomfort for other employees.
They also saw demonstrators as hazardous, liabilities, and people with different political views from their own. These were some of the other reasons.
According to Huys Nguyen, chief education and career development counsellor at Intelligent.com, "it's understandable that employers may want to avoid potential distractions and conflicts in the workplace with all the dramatic coverage from recent campus protests and other events."
“However, judging candidates based on their perceived political views can create a slippery slope that employers should try to avoid. Exercising free speech and sharing personal opinions on social issues is a fundamental right and employers should prioritize a candidate’s skills, experience, and other job-related qualifications over any political biases,” Nguyen added.
Not every employer has the same sentiments. About twenty-one percent of company owners who responded to the study expressed a desire to recruit recent graduates who have participated in demonstrations because they appreciate the graduates' political alignment, strong morals, advocacy for a cause, and outspokenness. On the other hand, 57% of leaders had no opinion.
Given that 31% of company executives always or frequently ask interviewees about a candidate's involvement in demonstrations, there's a chance the subject will come up during the application process. But according to the poll, 54% indicated they don't often inquire about it.
Nguyen said, "A candidate's political views should never be factored into their qualifications during the hiring process."
“Not only is it unethical, but there is no meaningful bearing on the ability of a candidate to perform the responsibilities of the job. Additionally, employers who are shown to have bias may open themselves up for legal ramifications in some jurisdictions.”
Nguyen stressed that although recent graduates and college students don't always need to hide their political involvement and opinions, they should be conscious that certain employers do have prejudices.
“When applying for jobs, they should try to maintain professionalism by separating personal political views from their career objectives and focus on highlighting their qualifications for the position they are applying for,” Nguyen said.
“Recognize that these biases exist, but do not become paralyzed by them and focus on developing an adaptable mindset, becoming a lifelong learner, and having the confidence to overcome any current or future challenges that might arise in your career journey,” he added.
(Source:www.cnbc.com)
Indeed, according to a recent study of 1,268 business executives in the U.S. by higher education website Intelligent.com, 64% of employers stated they had grown apprehensive about recruiting graduates in the previous five years generally.
While 22% of businesses are hesitant to recruit recent graduates who have taken part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, almost a third of employers are especially concerned about employing recent graduates who have attended pro-Palestinian rallies in the last six months.
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have broken out at American schools.
Over 1,200 people were killed in the terror assault in Israel on October 7th, according to official numbers attributed to the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. Furthermore, Gaza's health officials report that over 35,000 Palestinians have died in the subsequent Israel-Hamas conflict.
Prominent universities such as Columbia University, the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan, and the University of Mississippi have sent representatives to participate in the campaign.
According to the survey, nearly two-thirds of employers stated they were hesitant to hire protesters due to concerns that they might behave confrontationally at work, and more than half said it was because they were too political and might cause discomfort for other employees.
They also saw demonstrators as hazardous, liabilities, and people with different political views from their own. These were some of the other reasons.
According to Huys Nguyen, chief education and career development counsellor at Intelligent.com, "it's understandable that employers may want to avoid potential distractions and conflicts in the workplace with all the dramatic coverage from recent campus protests and other events."
“However, judging candidates based on their perceived political views can create a slippery slope that employers should try to avoid. Exercising free speech and sharing personal opinions on social issues is a fundamental right and employers should prioritize a candidate’s skills, experience, and other job-related qualifications over any political biases,” Nguyen added.
Not every employer has the same sentiments. About twenty-one percent of company owners who responded to the study expressed a desire to recruit recent graduates who have participated in demonstrations because they appreciate the graduates' political alignment, strong morals, advocacy for a cause, and outspokenness. On the other hand, 57% of leaders had no opinion.
Given that 31% of company executives always or frequently ask interviewees about a candidate's involvement in demonstrations, there's a chance the subject will come up during the application process. But according to the poll, 54% indicated they don't often inquire about it.
Nguyen said, "A candidate's political views should never be factored into their qualifications during the hiring process."
“Not only is it unethical, but there is no meaningful bearing on the ability of a candidate to perform the responsibilities of the job. Additionally, employers who are shown to have bias may open themselves up for legal ramifications in some jurisdictions.”
Nguyen stressed that although recent graduates and college students don't always need to hide their political involvement and opinions, they should be conscious that certain employers do have prejudices.
“When applying for jobs, they should try to maintain professionalism by separating personal political views from their career objectives and focus on highlighting their qualifications for the position they are applying for,” Nguyen said.
“Recognize that these biases exist, but do not become paralyzed by them and focus on developing an adaptable mindset, becoming a lifelong learner, and having the confidence to overcome any current or future challenges that might arise in your career journey,” he added.
(Source:www.cnbc.com)