Benchmark your graduates using science-backed data

SHL are the exclusive assessment partner for the Grad Connection Top100 competition. With a record number of applicants this year, over 1300 candidates completed both the Graduate + 8.0 JFA and Video Interview assessments. We'll also draw on data points from over 10,000 Australian graduates to support skills benchmarking.

The final results of the Top100 will be announced in February 2025 - register your interest below to stay up-to date with the final findings.

Stay up to date on the latest in Graduate skills

Key Headlines

These initial findings are drawn from the assessment data of the 1,317 candidates that applied to the Top100 competition, compared with data from over 10,000 Australian Graduates from our clients using the same tool, helping inform benchmarking.

Top100 Candidates
  • Unsurprisingly, Thrives on Competition was a key skill strength of Top100 candidates, compared to normal benchmarks.
  • Top100 candidates tend to be stronger than a typical graduate at behaviours relating to influence, such as Appealing to emotions or Persuades others.
  • However, the Top100 candidates were weaker at behaviors related to structured execution, such as Staying Focused or Performing repetitive tasks.

 

Australian Graduates
  • Top strengths included Takes Responsibility and Considers Strategic Vision, suggesting Australian Graduates on average are prepared to do the work, and will bring their best if they are exposed to the bigger picture
  • Top development needs suggest Australian Graduates need support to turn their theory into practical action and need support to evaluate their own performance.

 

STEM vs non-STEM

STEM candidates were stronger than non-STEM candidates in 62% of skills measured. 

  • STEM candidates were stronger at skills relating to use of technology, while non-STEM were stronger at skills related to influence and relationships.
  • STEM graduates may need development support to build networks, as they may prioritise task over people.

 

Diverse Candidates

Candidates who identified as being First in their Family to attend university were stronger than those with a family background of higher education in more than 60% of skills measured.

  • In particular, they were stronger at skills relating to values, inclusion, and social responsibility. 

 

Get the Best Out of Graduates

What do these headlines mean for your organisation's early careers strategy?

  1. Australian Graduates are likely to be more innovative, relationship oriented and resilient then they are practically execution oriented.

    For programs focused on entry level work completion, it may be difficult to source appropriate talent. However, this would benefit building of leadership pipelines.

  2. Graduates are skilled in thinking conceptually and innovatively about the bigger picture

    Consider capitalizing on this by creating experiences for graduates to innovate on organisational problems (e.g. Hackathons)

  3. Prioritise development focused on executing in structured ways

    Developing behaviours such as time management, decision making and problem solving is likely to be beneficial for new hires, with structured execution being some of the weakest skills across Australian Graduate Talent.

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Our Customers

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We have worked with SHL for a number of years on our graduate recruitment program, during this time we have seen an increase in candidate engagement and quality of candidates making it to the final stages. The end to end solution had a significant impact on our brand in the competitive graduate market.
Helen Alkin

Emerging Talent Strategy & Resourcing Lead

British Airways

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Since 2015, SHL’s talent acquisition solutions have helped us from entry level through management level roles. SHL has also helped us streamline our graduate recruitment process, and has resulted in strong, quality candidates who are a good fit for DAA.
Siobhan Winters

Head of Talent Acquisition

Dublin Airport Authority

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SHL’s solution has saved us considerable time and money. For example, with the old online testing process, it would take us half an hour or so to input a batch of candidates on to the platform. The SHL tool generated everything for us so the same thing took us just five minutes.
Ioana Gaspar

WMA Recruitment Delivery Team Leader

Bombardier

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SHL delivers a simple-to-deploy solution to help you identify high potential graduates, interns, and apprentices. Get in touch with our expert team to identify early caereer talent with the skills that matter.

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