Hong Kong graduate jobs down 22% in 9 months; 85% of employers still open

If a graduate job drew 10 applications last year, it would now draw about 16 on a pro rata basis. There are fewer jobs, and each one is drawing more than half as many applications again.

According to HK01 on 28 October 2026, Jobsdb by SEEK's 2027 Salary Report shows that job ads aimed at fresh graduates fell 22% year on year in the first three quarters of 2026, while the average number of applications per graduate job rose 56% year on year. The Star republished a South China Morning Post report on 30 October that cited the same figures and described them as covering Hong Kong's first nine months.

Over a fifth fewer jobs, over half as many more applications

HK01 also reported that jobs aimed specifically at graduates fell from 9.5% of jobs on the platform in 2023 to about 6%. The Star reported that the survey was carried out in August and September and covered 298 companies.

Note that all of these figures come from media reports. We could not find the original report to check them directly.

The door is still open, but not for everyone

There is another side to the numbers. HK01, citing the survey, reported that 85% of employers are willing to consider hiring graduates, although 33% of small and medium-sized enterprises said they would not consider fresh graduates.

What do employers look for when screening graduates? According to HK01, 56% value soft skills, 51% value interview performance and 35% value work experience.

Of these three, soft skills were valued by the largest share of employers and work experience by the smallest. For graduates and career changers with no formal work experience, this suggests putting effort into soft skills and interview preparation.

AI ranks CVs by how well they match

HK01 reported that the Jobsdb platform uses AI to rank CVs for employers by how well they match, but does not remove any profile, CV or application, and employers still make the final decision. In other words, the match level affects the order, not whether a candidate is kept or dropped.

Tailor each CV to the job

Jobsdb's advice is simple: do not send one CV to every job.

• Read the job requirements closely and make sure your CV and skills match the role.
• Beyond education and work experience, show relevant skills and experience.
• Include soft skills such as communication, teamwork and analytical ability, the three areas that Bill Lee, Jobsdb's managing director for Hong Kong, advised graduates to strengthen.

Many employers will require AI skills

HK01 and The Star both reported that 73% of the companies surveyed said they will include AI skills in their recruitment requirements next year.

Alexa Chow, managing director of ACTS Consulting, told The Star that people can learn AI skills through university or certificate courses.

Widen your target industries

Alexa Chow also suggested considering fields less exposed to automation, such as sales, psychology and counselling. This is one consultant's opinion, not survey data.

Another figure worth factoring in is that 33% of small and medium-sized enterprises will not consider fresh graduates. If your targets are concentrated in one type of employer, it may help to widen the list.

Use an internship to gain a first experience

Bill Lee told The Star that graduates should take internships and build soft skills such as communication, teamwork and analysis. An internship is also a chance to build concrete examples: what you were responsible for in a team, how you communicated and what problems you analysed can all be described on a CV and in interviews.

A note for parents

If your child has sent dozens of CVs without a reply, that does not necessarily mean a lack of ability. Jobs are down 22% and applications per job are up 56%: this is a change in the whole market. Rather than urging them to send more, you could help them tailor one CV more closely to a job.

The graduate market is narrowing, but 85% of employers are still willing to consider graduates. This year, whether each CV matches the job matters more than how many are sent.

Information in this article is as of November 2026.

Prices and details correct as of November 2026

Compiled by the F50 Editorial Team from public sources, for general reference only and not professional advice. Details are correct as of the publication date and may change.