[Survey of High School Graduate Employees] Reflecting on the Job Hunting Experience (Class of 2025)

Jibun (Osaka City), which supports employment for high school students, conducted a survey on the "job hunting experience" among new employees who graduated from high school and joined companies in April 2025. High school job hunting typically proceeds over a short period, with job information released in July of the graduation year and applications and selections beginning in September. While many students decide their career paths primarily based on job postings provided through their schools, how do these seniors reflect on their job hunting after actually entering the workforce? We conducted this survey to gather advice and insights from those who have now experienced one year in the professional world. This survey was conducted in two parts, in May 2025 and February 2026, targeting participants of the "ROOKIE’S CLUB," a training program for new high school graduate employees. ＜Survey Summary＞ ● Top reasons for seeking employment: "I am better suited for working than studying" and "I want to be independent as soon as possible." ● Approximately 80% of high school students rely on "job postings" for information gathering. ● About 60% responded that they "should have gathered more information" after joining the company. ● While the "one-person-one-company" system is supported for the sense of security it provides, about half have doubts about the limited choices it offers.

Background of the Survey Against the backdrop of a declining birthrate and labor shortages, the job opening-to-applicant ratio for new high school graduates in 2026 reached "3.94 times" (*1), leading to intensified recruitment competition among companies through revisions to starting salaries and qualification systems. On the other hand, high school job hunting is limited in information-gathering opportunities compared to university students due to unique customs such as the "one-person-one-company" system and school-mediated placement. Companies are also exploring ways to directly convey their appeal to students. In January, we conducted a survey (*2) targeting high school teachers nationwide involved in career guidance to delve into the current challenges and needs in high school job hunting. Therefore, in this survey, we asked new high school graduate employees who joined in April 2025 about their real-life job hunting experiences to consider the future of high school graduate recruitment. *1 "FY2025 Status of Job Openings, Job Seekers, and Employment Offers for New High School and Junior High School Graduates (as of the end of September)" Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare *2 "Class of 2026 Teacher High School Job Hunting Survey: First Half (January 2026)" Jibun "Class of 2026 Teacher High School Job Hunting Survey: Second Half (January 2026)" ■ Survey Results (1) (Q1–Q6: Conducted in May 2025, n=163) Q1. Please tell us the reason you chose to seek employment. *Multiple answers allowed (n=163)