80% of hospitality recruiters say graduates are missing out on job offers because they’re not ready for the world of work
Survey of 552 recruiters reveals hospitality graduates lack work ethic and communication skills, with 73% prioritizing practical experience over academic credentials.
New research shows the majority of recruiters in the hospitality industry believe that graduates are missing out on job offers because of a lack of professional maturity and work readiness. A further fifth believe graduates are ‘work shy’ and ‘lack self-awareness’ when they try to join the workplace.
A strong work ethic is the number one skill graduates are lacking, according to hospitality recruiters. This is followed by other soft skills including communication, decision making and accountability. These interpersonal skills are becoming increasingly more important, with 71% saying they prioritise graduates with strong soft skills over academic accolades and technical skills.
In fact, 35% of recruiters feel candidates for hospitality roles need to demonstrate impressive communication skills more now than they did five years prior.
According to research carried out by Regent’s University London, practical experience is also lacking, with a further one in five recruiters saying that candidates are not making the cut because of a deficit of on-the-job experience. Because of this skills gap, 73% say they prioritise graduates with practical experience over those without it.
70% of recruiters also believe that traditional university education does not adequately prepare candidates to thrive in a professional hospitality environment, which is leading graduates to fail not because of grades, but because of a disconnect between their theoretical skills and real-world ability.
Universities failing to properly prepare their students are directly causing graduates to miss out on jobs, with one in five recruiters saying they have rejected them because of these skills gaps. This, alongside extreme competition for graduate roles and economic shifts, has led to a saturated market and those who have recently left university struggling more than ever. A report from Jisc showed that graduate unemployment rates rose from 5.6% to 6.2% between 2021/22 and 2022/23, in addition to full-time employment falling from 59% to 56.4%.
And, when graduates do land roles, it is taking them longer to prove themselves to their employers, with 69% of hospitality recruiters globally saying they have increased probation periods for graduates because of misaligned expectations around work ethic and softer skills.
It's increasingly clear that traditional approaches to higher education are no longer preparing students for the realities of working in the hospitality sector. With many recruiters believing graduates are ‘work-shy’ despite their eagerness to work, it’s evident that change is needed.
Universities must change in order to prepare students to communicate and thrive in the workplace. At Regent’s, our Luxury Hospitality Management course prioritises learning by doing, delivering dynamic, collaborative classes on campus alongside practical work experience two days a week on site with one of our partners, The Savoy or The Peninsula London. This approach, combined with our truly international community, gives our graduates the resilience, confidence and global fluency they need to step into successful careers. Professor Geoff Smith, Vice-Chancellor and CEO at Regent’s University London
Find about more about how Regent’s University London prepares students for the world of work with a different way of learning.
Methodology
The research was conducted in November and December of 2025 via an Obsurvant Survey of 552 global hiring / recruitment decision makers.