The companies that recruit most in the start of academic year 2024

Adecco, a specialist of temporary employment and leader in this industry, has launched Qapa News, a “digital solution” to find a job. It is both a recruitment and information website targeting students, among others, and providing tips to find a job and statistics about professional insertion, in addition to job offers.

Industries that recruit

It is the case of the current “study on occupations that recruit” released in July 2024 by Qapa focused on 2,500 professionals divided all over France, carried out online and by email.

The study is fairly optimistic and explains that “48% of companies are currently recruiting students for the academic year 2024-25 to address the deep needs in recruitment and boost professional insertion”. More precisely, “many opportunities are available in computer science and health”. The computer science sector leads the ranking of offers, with 19% of jobs offered, closely followed by the sector of health and social action (17%). The construction sector is also well-positioned, with 14% of offers, and the sector of transports, handling and logistics, with 11%. The business, retail and distribution sector stands for one job out of ten, available in September, ahead of hotel and catering, only in 6th position (8%).

A mixed bag of wages

The Qapa study points out that in terms of wages, the sector of computer science is “the champion of wages for students”. The study ranks the five highest-paying jobs exceeding on average a €3,000 gross salary per month:

• computer science, currently “recruiting actively” is also the sector offering the best wages, reaching €3,500 for general computer technician and €3,400 for a data analyst;
• medical assistants and pharmacists can claim a salary of €3,350, just ahead of translators at €3,280.

However, the survey points out that “paying the minimum hourly wage is still the most common situation”: almost half (47%) of contracts are offered at minimum wage. This means that 23% of contracts offer a range from €11.65 to €15 per hour gross, but only 13% of companies go as high as €25 per hour gross and 3% pay between €30 and €35 per hour gross.

Some qualities are more demanded than others

“For most companies, the qualities of students are worth more than their professional experience”. With this title, the study also details the different qualities that recruiters look for and value.

For more than half of employers, professional experience is neither a requirement nor critical, but “certain qualities are necessary and highly valued”. Among these, the determination and commitment of applicants (79%), a taste for teamwork (71%) and social skills (67%) are particularly valued. Finally, it should be noted that 66% of employers “require good presentation and over 61% good oral and written expression”. However, a sense of initiative, creativity and curiosity are rarely sought after by employers!

Methodology of the survey:

• Profile of persons surveyed: 41% employees, 37% managers and 22% directors.
• Distribution of companies by sector: 14% in industry, 7% in construction, 2% in agriculture and 77% in services.
• Distribution of companies per size: 27% very small companies, 67% SMEs and 2% mid-cap companies (companies between SMEs and large companies).