Some of you may remember how it was being a new graduate in your first career job. You may also have recent graduates working for you right now.

Or you maybe responsible for graduate development. If you are working in an organisation that invests in graduate development then you will want to ensure those graduates make a rapid transition to fully productive team members.

According to a survey by the Association of Graduate recruiters, employers are looking for graduates who can demonstrate softer skills such as teamwork, cultural awareness, leadership and communication. This is backed up by the recent CBI report that most graduates leave University lacking initiative and without the ability to communicate effectively… they are not good at making decisions. Problem solving, building relationships, etc.

If you were to ask a sample of graduates on corporate induction programmes how they are finding their experiences, it would be interesting to understand how they see their world. In Matchett’s experience of providing input into a number of graduate development programmes we are seeing some common themes emerge in the ‘world view’ of the graduate:

• Initial enthusiasm replaced quite quickly by mild sense of disillusionment that the promises made at the recruitment phase can not be met
• Lip service being paid to ticking boxes for time spent in a range of functions
• Huge knowledge dumps via formal and uninspiring presentations from experienced managers
• Confusing messages about being encouraged to take personal responsibility by HR sponsors which are at odds with the realities of their dealings with managers and others in their areas of placement
• At one extreme the experience of being thrown in the deep end and at the other extreme being asked to engage in the most mind numbing menial of non jobs

What we are seeing is a mismatch of expectations between employer and graduate. The Universities foster and celebrate a culture of self-determining, self-empowered study and exploration of ideas coupled with the rights of passage of self expression through dress sense, ways of communication and individuality (often qualities employers say they are looking for).

However, these can seem rudely out of step with the harsh realities of the world of work in commercial and competitive environments where organisational orthodoxies, hierarchies, politics and personalities dominate. Often what worked for people at University as strategies for success seem redundant when at work.

Many induction and development programmes for graduates comprehensively cover the range of functions, products, bureaucracy, HR policies and technical knowledge yet fail to address the very issue highlighted by the CBI; the transition from graduate to fully effective relationship builder and communicator in a new context.

In our experience it is unrealistic to believe that even the best graduate induction programmes can provide every graduate with the necessary life experience to be able to build excellent working relationships, solve complex problems and make excellent business decisions. Surely, these are challenges we all face with longer working experience.

What we know is possible and we believe necessary in graduate development is an introduction to the kinds of skills and attitudes which have proved to positively help people engage with others better and think about themselves more positively.

• Time and space for individuals to become more self aware rather than self conscious
• Opportunities for people to learn new skills for engaging with others
• Practising these skills with one another
• Taking personal responsibility for individual development
• Encouraging people to develop support networks amongst peers
• Encourage people to identify potential ‘mentors’ and take positive action to engage with these people
• Develop meaningful action plans and ensure sufficient momentum for checking in with progress

We believe that these skills are best received when they can be employed earnestly and instantly in the context of immediate relationships during a graduate’s development or induction. Rather than nebulous concepts from the range of self help books promising instant world domination or any Porsche you ever wanted!

If you are considering how to quickly and effectively inaugurate graduates in to your organisation please take a look at our graduate development programme.