Survey Report Released: New Graduates Want Recognition for 'Attitude' Over Results – Insights from a 2026 New Employee Survey of 2,343 Respondents

Shake Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / President and CEO: Minoru Yoshida), a provider of corporate training and HR organizational consulting services, has conducted an awareness survey targeting 2,343 new employees joining in the 2026 fiscal year.

The survey included the following topics:

- Purpose of work

- Expectations toward supervisors and senior colleagues

- Self-recognized strengths and weaknesses

- Desired recognition from colleagues within the first three months of employment

- Intentions and conditions for long-term employment

In recent years, workplaces have increasingly emphasized operational efficiency and adaptability to change, and the challenges faced by busy managers are frequently discussed.

At the same time, early turnover among young employees has become a growing concern. HR professionals and frontline managers, who struggle with finding the right balance—too little engagement risks attrition, while excessive intervention may lead to harassment—must understand what kind of development support new and young employees truly seek.

What expectations do new employees bring when they are assigned to their departments?

The survey results revealed a clear trend: in addition to the previously emphasized 'positive interpersonal relationships,' new employees strongly desire 'fair compensation and evaluation systems' and 'recognition for proactive attitudes.'

This press release highlights selected findings from the survey.

How to Download the Report

The full report is available for free download via the link below.

Download the full survey report here

Survey Overview

- Target respondents: 2,343 new employees joining in 2026 (2,186 for select questions)

- Survey period: April 2, 2026 – April 28, 2026

- Method: Online questionnaire

Summary

The survey results reveal the following trends among the 2026 new graduates:

① Key factors in company selection: positive interpersonal relationships and compensation/evaluation systems

② Expectations toward supervisors and seniors: diverse forms of support and engagement

③ Perceived strengths: building trust; perceived weaknesses: stress management

④ Desired recognition: work 'attitude'—proactiveness and openness—over results or manners

⑤ Strong intention to build long-term careers at their current companies

· POINT ①: What new employees expect from companies and organizations—positive relationships and fair evaluation systems

When asked about 'factors prioritized in accepting a job offer,' 48.3% of new employees selected 'personality of employees,' and 27.1% selected 'salary and evaluation system.'

Factors prioritized when accepting a job offer (respondents selected up to top 3 applicable items)

· POINT ②: Expectations toward supervisors and seniors—diverse support and engagement

Compared to the 2018 survey, the percentage of new employees who 'strongly agree' with various expectations toward supervisors and seniors has significantly increased across nearly all items.

Expectations toward supervisors and seniors (respondents selected the most applicable option)

· POINT ③: Strengths in building trust, weaknesses in stress management

Regarding 'personal strengths,' 52.4% of new employees selected 'understanding others’ thoughts and feelings and building trust,' marking the third consecutive year above 50%.

Meanwhile, 44.6% identified 'remaining calm and composed under stressful situations' as a weakness.

Strengths (respondents selected up to top 3 applicable items) Weaknesses (respondents selected up to top 3 applicable items)

· POINT ④: Recognition desired in the first three months—proactive attitude, openness to advice, and initiative—reflecting what they believe colleagues also value

Regarding 'behaviors and attitudes they wish to be recognized for in the first three months,' 58.7% selected 'approaching work proactively,' 44.0% selected 'acting independently,' and 46.4% selected 'openly accepting advice from colleagues.'

Additionally, when asked 'behaviors and attitudes they believe colleagues value,' 58.6% selected 'approaching work proactively,' 53.8% selected 'acting independently,' and 49.9% selected 'openly accepting advice from colleagues.'

Behaviors and attitudes believed to be valued by colleagues / Desired recognition in the first three months (respondents selected up to top 3 applicable items)

· POINT ⑤: Intention to work long-term and build a career at the current company

Regarding 'intention to work long-term at the current company,' 73.7% of new employees selected 'I intend to continue working at this company for a long time.'

Intention to work long-term at the current company

Conclusion

This survey targeted new employees joining in 2026.

New employees prioritize positive interpersonal relationships and express a desire to stay long-term at their current companies.

For new employees to adapt and remain with the organization, it is crucial that they feel accepted and needed.

Moreover, especially during the initial period before tangible results are achieved, feeling that their 'attitude toward work' is recognized by colleagues can foster a sense of belonging.

The full report further explores development strategies based on these trends.

All survey results, including those not covered in this release, are available for download—please access them using the link below.

Download the full survey report here

Additional materials available here: https://shake.co.jp/download/