‘Don’t have the illusion’: graduate job ads down 22% as AI rewrites the rules
Fresh-graduate job postings in Hong Kong fell 22 per cent in the first nine months of this year from the same period in 2025, according to data from one of the city’s biggest job-search platforms, with an industry leader warning that advances in technology will deepen the decline. Its data also showed more graduates chasing fewer jobs: a typical listing for graduates drew 56 per cent more…
Graduate job ads in Hong Kong have dropped by 22 percent in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2025, according to data from Jobsdb, a leading job-search platform. An industry leader has warned that technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence, will exacerbate this trend. The survey revealed that a typical graduate job listing received 56 percent more applications than last year.
However, about 85 percent of the 298 companies surveyed expressed their willingness to hire fresh graduates next year. Bill Lee, managing director of Jobsdb by SEEK in Hong Kong, stated that it's becoming more challenging for graduates to secure a job, but opportunities still exist. Employers are focusing on soft skills, interview performance, and work experience.
About 70 percent of multinational enterprises prioritize interview performance, while Chinese-owned companies place greater emphasis on work experience. Lee suggested that graduates should pursue internships and improve their soft skills to meet employers' expectations. Alexa Chow, managing director of human resources consultancy ACTS Consulting, expressed concern that the increasing use of AI is making it harder for graduates to find work.
She noted that the demand is weakening and may worsen as technology continues to advance. Chow advised graduates to acquire AI skills through their universities or certificate courses and to consider fields less susceptible to automation, such as sales, psychology, and counseling. Moreover, 73 percent of companies plan to include AI skills in their recruitment requirements next year, with 54 percent placing a significantly higher emphasis on AI skills compared to this year.
Despite these challenges, 64 percent of companies polled anticipate maintaining or increasing their headcount next year, and 48 percent expect to raise their employment budgets. Lee highlighted that employers remain cautiously optimistic about the job market in 2027, with the potential for gradual recovery.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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