Graduates rate flexible working hours, job satisfaction and learning opportunities higher than a good pay package from future employers, a new study shows.
According to Orange, which commissioned a survey of 1,000 students leaving their universities this year, the most important factor for those seeking graduate jobs is learning experience (69%), followed by happiness (58%).
Of those polled 53% cited flexible working - referring either to being able to work from a place of their choice or outside of "traditional" office hours - as the primary consideration.
A good salary is important to 51% of the graduates, while 43% expect to have great colleagues at their new workplace.
The study also found many digital-savvy university leavers want a workplace that keeps up with technological advances, with 45% expecting email access and the ability to work files remotely.
Social networking was also cited as a key area, with 43% believing that access to websites such as Facebook or LinkedIn would be important for their professional development, helping them create new contacts.
