Jobsdb by SEEK Releases “University Student Job Search Intentions Survey” 62% of soon-to-be graduates confident in securing a full-time job within three months; only 17% would lower expectations if job search stalls
Jobsdb by SEEK, Hong Kong’s leading employment marketplace, today released its “University Student Job Search Intentions Survey” report. The survey, conducted in the first quarter of this year by an independent research firm through an online questionnaire, interviewed 507 local university students graduating this year or next to understand their career expectations and job readiness. The findings reveal that Hong Kong's soon-to-be graduates are generally optimistic about their job prospects. 62% of respondents are confident they will find a full-time job within three months of starting their search, while 58% are confident of securing their ideal job within 12 months of graduation.
Regarding salary expectations, 66% of respondents expect a starting monthly salary of HK$20,000 or above, with a significant 42% expecting to exceed HK$25,000, primarily from faculties with traditionally higher starting salaries, including Medicine, Engineering, and Education. Students targeting roles in “Medical Services”, “Insurance”, and “Scientific Laboratory & R&D” also reported higher salary expectations than peers targeting other sectors.
The survey also indicates that salary is not the sole criterion for an “ideal job” among graduates, with a greater number of respondents prioritising reasonable working hours, reflecting the new generation's emphasis on work-life balance.
Work-life balance a top priority for an ideal job; confidence tied to industry prospects and skills
As Gen Z progressively enters the workforce, their definition of an ideal job has evolved. When asked about the top three conditions for an ideal job, “reasonable working hours that allow time for personal life” was the top choice for most graduates (46%). “Competitive salary and benefits”, traditionally a primary consideration, ranked second (42%), followed by a “clear career progression and development opportunities” (39%). This reflects a shift in priorities, with graduates seeking a workplace environment that respects personal life and promotes well-being, rather than solely pursuing high salaries and career advancement.
Overall, 58% of students are confident in finding their ideal job within 12 months of graduation, with 32% feeling neutral and only 10% lacking confidence. Confidence is highest among students from the Faculty of Engineering (74%), followed by the Faculty of Science (65%) and the Faculty of Business (64%).
Among those who expressed confidence, the sentiment is mainly attributed to the “stable prospects of their target job or industry” and their “proactive efforts to enhance professional skills”. Conversely, those lacking confidence primarily cited “pessimism about the overall economic outlook” and concerns over the “threat of automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.
Less than 20% willing to lower job expectations; English proficiency viewed as key to success
As the actual job search process may be affected by different variables, the survey also explored graduates' strategies for navigating potential challenges in their job search. When asked how they would respond if they could not find a full-time job for an extended period, the most common strategy was to pursue further studies (44%). This was followed by considering becoming a freelancer (35%) and seeking part-time jobs (32%) to gain work experience. Notably, only 17% would lower their job expectations to continue their job search. This clearly indicates that when faced with challenges, they are more inclined to invest in self-improvement through upskilling rather than compromising on their long-term career development to secure immediate employment.
Among various skills, English proficiency is particularly valued. To prepare for their job search, the largest group of graduates (46%) are improving their English through self-study or courses, followed by enhancing soft skills (including communication, management, and time management). The survey shows that nearly 90% of respondents believe English proficiency is an important factor in the job search process. Over 70% rate their English proficiency as “good” or “excellent”, and 75% would consider taking the IELTS test to certify their abilities.
SEEK Pass launches official IELTS and PTE score verification to help jobseekers stand out
In response to the demand for skills verification and to help graduates effectively showcase their capabilities, Jobsdb by SEEK launched English proficiency verification on SEEK Pass, its trusted digital passport used by over four million individuals to securely manage and share their verified identity, credentials and documents across SEEK platforms. Through partnerships with IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and Pearson, provider of the Pearson Test of English (PTE)1, jobseekers can now verify that they have completed a recognised English proficiency assessment via SEEK Pass. This allows their language abilities to be clearly displayed on their Jobsdb profile, enabling employers to identify talent with the required language skills more quickly and confidently, thereby accelerating the recruitment process.
Bill Lee, Managing Director, Hong Kong, Jobsdb by SEEK, said, “This survey's findings affirm a market trend we have consistently highlighted: Hong Kong's employment market is rapidly transitioning towards a skills-based era. We are pleased to see that the new generation's confidence is built on their emphasis on skills and proactive preparation, such as obtaining professional qualifications like IELTS and PTE to prove their capabilities. Our new SEEK Pass feature is designed to address this trend, helping graduates translate their hard-earned skills and qualifications into a competitive advantage recognised by employers. Jobsdb will continue to leverage its platform technology to create the most precise matches between well-prepared talent and forward-thinking companies.”
Michael James, Director, IELTS Operations, IDP Education commented, “At IDP, we believe language skills should open doors. Jobseekers invest real effort to earn an IELTS score, and this partnership with SEEK Pass helps them display their score with pride. We are proud to support any initiative that helps test takers achieve better outcomes as they move into work.”
“The inclusion of PTE within SEEK Pass is a meaningful step forward for both employers and jobseekers across APAC,” said Matthew Lampkin, Director, Asia Pacific, English Language Learning, Pearson. “For employers, it offers a trusted and efficient way to verify English proficiency, supporting fairer and more confident hiring decisions. For candidates, it creates a simpler, more accessible pathway to showcase their skills and improve their employability — helping them progress faster in an increasingly competitive job market.”
1. PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic is a computer-based English language proficiency test by Pearson, widely accepted by universities, employers and governments worldwide as a credible benchmark of English ability for study, work and migration purposes.
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About Jobsdb by SEEK
Jobsdb is a leading employment marketplace, connecting the right people with the right work in Hong Kong since 1998. Operated by SEEK, an Australian Securities Exchange-listed company, Jobsdb combines its deep local expertise with SEEK’s world-class AI technology and platform to create relevant job and talent matches across Asia Pacific. For more information, visit www.jobsdb.com.
About SEEK Pass
SEEK Pass is a trusted digital passport used by over four million individuals to securely manage and share their verified identity, credentials and documents across SEEK, Jobsdb and Jobstreet platforms throughout the Asia-Pacific region. To date, SEEK Pass has verified over eleven million credentials, helping jobseekers stand out while enabling employers to recruit with confidence. For more information, visit www.seekpass.co.