#Japan #job hunting #Summer Internship #ONE CAREER #Shibuya, Tokyo

Insights from the ONE CAREER Internship Survey for 2027 Graduates

In a recent survey conducted by ONE CAREER, a leading player in job recruitment services, 99.2% of students graduating in 2027 reported that they start gathering information for their summer internships by May. This statistic highlights a notable trend among students choosing to dive into their job-hunting process earlier than ever, suggesting that post-pandemic job-seeking behaviors are changing dramatically.

The Shift Towards Early Preparation

Historically, many students began their internship searches in June, but the shift to early preparation has been remarkably pronounced. For instance, only 53.5% of respondents were engaged in internship information gathering before their second-year university students advanced in March. However, with their progress to the next academic level in April, students are showing a marked increase in activity related to internships.

High Participation Rates in Applications

By May, it was revealed that 65.6% of those surveyed had already submitted applications for summer internships. Among them, 62.7% indicated they applied to between one and four companies, highlighting that the most common scenario is to apply to a single company. A further 37.3% expressed interest in applying to five or more organizations, meaning that most students are planning to ramp up their applications from June onwards. Approximately 42.3% of students aim to apply to between five and nine companies, indicating a robust search for suitable internship opportunities.

Criteria for Choosing Internships

Students are prioritizing the quality of experiences offered by internships. When asked what factors most influenced their choices, 25.4% indicated that they valued the content and experiences derived from the internship. Additionally, a majority of students (76.4%) considered the duration of the internship, and 60.0% focused on the mode of delivery – whether it be in-person or online. This emphasis on the quality of the internships suggests that students are evaluating how to make the best use of their limited time while participating in multiple internship opportunities.

Motivations for Internship Participation

A noteworthy statistic emerged regarding students’ motivations for attending internships. Roughly 40.7% of respondents disclosed that their primary objective is to receive preferential treatment during the selection process. This marks an increase from 23.9% in the previous year, indicating that the understanding among students of summer internships as a vehicle for gaining competitive advantages is becoming more widespread.

Embracing Scout Services

Another striking trend revealed by the survey is the rise in students registering with scout services. Approximately 78.0% of students are utilizing these recruitment platforms. When students open scout emails, the most significant factor influencing their decisions is the relevance of the industry or company, with 56.5% indicating that this factor outweighs other considerations by more than threefold.

Expert Commentary from ONE CAREER

Ryo Taro Azuma, a spokesperson from ONE CAREER's marketing department, commented on these results, stating that early job-hunting trends are evident. Previously, companies began their internship selections in early June, but this year’s activity has started shifting earlier into mid to late May. This acceleration is attributed to companies traditionally beginning their hiring processes later, now opting for an earlier start. It stands to reason that as businesses continue to adopt early recruitment strategies, students will also begin seeking internships sooner.

Conclusion and Future Directions

The findings from this survey represent a significant shift in the recruitment landscape for internships, suggesting that students are becoming increasingly proactive to secure the best opportunities available. As preparation timelines continue to compress, the implications for both students and companies in terms of hiring strategies will be profound.

For those interested in a detailed breakdown of the survey results, please refer to the full report available on ONE CAREER's platform.