UL Careers Early Careers Employer Survey 2026

43% Yes

57% of students would not apply and 43% said they would apply without salary info Student Voice

57% No

Graduate Recruitment Timelines

There has been little movement in graduate recruitment timelines this year. Most employers report that the process from job advertisement to offer typically takes around seven to eight weeks, broadly unchanged from previous years. While the exact duration can vary depending on application volumes, role complexity, or sector norms, the overall structure of graduate recruitment remains consistent. In most organisations, the process still follows a familiar sequence: initial application screening, followed by interviews and, in many cases, some form of assessment such as aptitude testing, presentations, or case studies. Reference checks and final approvals usually complete the process before offers are issued. This suggests that employers continue to favour a balanced approach. There is pressure to move efficiently, particularly in a competitive market, but organisations are also reluctant to shorten processes to the point where decision quality might suffer. Encouragingly, this timeline broadly aligns with students' expectations. While candidates often express a desire for quicker decisions, the seven-to

eight-week window appears to strike a reasonable balance between speed and fairness. For employers, the key challenge remains keeping candidates engaged and well-informed throughout the process, particularly when multiple assessment stages are involved.

Average Predicted Time Frame for recruiting a new Graduate: 7.36 Weeks

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