Fresh Graduates Research Articles

Overseas Job Opportunity among Fresh Graduate of Healthcare Workers: A SWOT Analysis

The chronic reasons why Indonesian healthcare workers are reluctant to work abroad are allegedly due to inadequate English language proficiency and family encouragement. The demand, opportunities, and benefits of working abroad are increasing from year to year. Unfortunately, the opportunity is poorly anticipated. The objective is to explore the current demand, challenges and offer strategies to elevate the interest of Indonesian healthcare workers to work abroad. This study used a quantitative method with the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunity, Threats (SWOT) Analysis supported by the PICOT (Participants, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time) model to differentiate the demand, interest, and challenges of the professions. A mixed questionnaire was distributed among the population of 148 students from 3 majors: nursing (n-84), midwifery (n=23), and environmental health (n=61) collected randomly as the purposive sampling. The population were graduates holders (n=87) and diploma holders (n=61), i.e. nursing (n=84), midwifery (n=23), and environmental health (n=61). Results showed that nursing professional was more dominant and demanded abroad. The participants were interested if the training was provided (n=141 or 84%). The weakness was lack of language proficiency (n=93), and lack of preparation (n=76). The challenges mainly were due to inadequate preparation (languages, family support, and financial). The study recommended a structured preparation program with an integrated approach during college time.

Human Capital Factors in the Recent College Graduate: Employers’ Perspective

Purpose: This paper aims to identify and evaluate the human capital factors that are expected in fresh college graduates as perceived by employers. The paper also aims to identify the gap between the expectation of the employer and the skills found (reality) in the graduate as perceived by the industry. Further, the study involves estimating if the expectation-reality gap in these factors is different across industries. Design/Methodology/Approach: Qualitative research was undertaken to identify those factors and items within each factor. Then, descriptive research was conducted which involved a survey with several respondents from major industries in the private and public sectors in the Sultanate of Oman. The responses were statistically analyzed using Fisher Exact Test. Findings: The study revealed that the most important Human Capital/ employability factor varies from one industry to another. The most and least important items/ skills in each of the three categories of Human Capital factors were independent across industry types, except for the most important of soft skills. Though the expectation-reality gap existed in the factors, it was found to be independent across industries, except for the Personal Characteristics factor. Practical Implications: Fresh graduates need to understand that their prospective employers are perceiving gaps in their expectations versus reality. Being cognizant of this gap and working for self-improvement is imperative not only for improving the probability of employment with the favorite employer but also to fuel their career growth. These insights are relevant and useful to other stakeholders as well. By taking action based on these findings, the industry would reap better productivity benefits, and the economy of the nation would improve and propel sustainable development. Also, Higher Education Institutions (HEI) would be able to show better employment rates and student successes. Originality/Value: The findings provide important insights for students and HEI to formulate intervention strategies. The employers would be aware of the gap and thus, design suitable bridge programs to adapt the new graduates to their and the industry needs. Therefore, the government would acquire valuable cues to formulate suitable policies to achieve the nation’s strategic goals.

Moderated Mediating Mechanism Effects of Chinese University Entrepreneurship Education on Independent Student Entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship education plays a mediating moderating role in independent entrepreneurship, especially for the fresh graduates where entrepreneurial knowledge charms. Based on the mediating effect model, this study explores the correlation between three factors and independent entrepreneurship. A set of hypotheses was established by investigating the theoretical background within the field of interest. Such hypotheses were later assessed by an online-offline mix study conducted among graduates. The result found that entrepreneurship theory-based courses can promote independent entrepreneurship, but entrepreneurship practice training surprisingly failed to promote. Entrepreneurial opportunity identification mediated only between theory-based courses and independent entrepreneurship. The findings found could be highly beneficial in organizing entrepreneurship syllabus, scientifically arranging a theory-based course, and practicing a training course. Moreover, it could be further developed into a pedagogical model.

Employability skills framework: a tripartite approach

PurposeThe paper aims at examining the employability skills relevant in the unprecedented times of turbulence in businesses due to COVID-19 in the Indian context.Design/methodology/approachThe study examined the recent skills model through an extensive literature review. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is conducted to identify the employability skills perceived as important by multiple stakeholders. ANOVA was applied to examine the differences in perceived importance attached to these dimensions by the three stakeholders.FindingsThe ten-factorial solution was extracted based on the results of EFA The findings offer a fresh perspective on digital competencies perceived as most important to ensure successful long-term employability, followed by business fundamentals and behavioral skills.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has been able to map perceptions of employers, faculty and students based in Delhi-NCR regarding essential employability skills. It would be worthwhile to validate the proposed employability skills framework across different geographical sections of India and ascertain if the perceptions vary in the employment sector and employer size.Practical implicationsAlthough the study has put forth practical employability skills, there is a need for convergence between the business stakeholders and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to develop a broad skill-base for the fresh graduates. The study will prepare them for the volatile business environment.Originality/valueMany previous studies have lacked the employability skill framework in the Indian context from the multiple stakeholders' perspective. The HEIs can rethink their current employability, including the most prominent skills required in succeeding in a technology-enabled business environment transformed by the pandemic.

Shortage of nurses in Hong Kong: the challenges ahead

PurposeThe aging of a population poses significant challenges to healthcare, housing, social security and elderly care services. Active aging is promoted by the Hong Kong government but is compromised by a shortage of nurses, doctors and professional aides. This study aims to review the history of nursing education in Hong Kong, evaluate Hong Kong's nursing manpower policy with a macro–micro analysis based on sociological imagination and provide sound recommendations.Design/methodology/approachThis article analyzes the nursing shortage in Hong Kong. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, concerning the Hong Kong healthcare workforce and covering relevant government reports, consultation papers and articles from academic journals from 1943 to the present.FindingsThe nursing shortage in Hong Kong can be understood from both absolute and relative terms. The total number of practicing nurses and fresh graduates registering through the four aforementioned pathways increased from 17,034 in 1996 to 61,295 in 2020 (growth rate of 74.4%), but it is predicted that there will be a shortage of 455, 1,383 and 1,669 nurses in 2020, 2025 and 2030, respectively. Moreover, Hong Kong had 8.2 nurses per 1,000 people in 2020. Although this rate exceeds those of China, South Korea and Singapore, it lags behind those of the USA and Australia as well as the international recommendation of nine nurses per 1,000 people. The nurse shortage has been further aggravated by an interaction between macro factors, including aging population, a lack of coherent and long-term nursing manpower policy (an analysis is based on a health policy triangle), numerous obstacles imposed on nurses from abroad and micro factors emanating from an interplay of push–pull factors among nurses.Practical implicationsThe proportion of the Hong Kong population aged 65 years or older was 18% in 2019. The availability of healthcare workers is essential for attaining optimal health outcomes for older adults. The high turnover rate of nurses in public hospitals negatively affects the provision of timely high-quality medical services in the dual-track medical system. Therefore, workforce projections should be made every three years. Such policy should rely primarily on local nurses trained both by University Grant Committee-funded institutions and by self-financed tertiary institutions. Foreign nurses should be a supplementary resource. The budget allocated to the public healthcare sector should be increased to improve remuneration, provide abundant training opportunities and improve working environment to retain nurses in public hospitals.Originality/valueGiven that deep-seated problems surrounding the quantity and quality of nurses, the avenues for pursuing nursing degree education and the turnover rate of nurses in public hospitals remain unsolved, it is imperative to investigate how to alleviate the healthcare workforce shortage in Hong Kong.

Use of Impression Management Tactics in Professional Communication for Job Interviews among Graduate Students

This study investigated the impression management techniques (IMTs) used by fresh graduates in job interviews. Job interview data from twenty-five candidates were analysed qualitatively. The focus of analysis was on five aspects of impression management tactics namely self-focus, self-presentation, exemplifications, entitlements, and enhancements. It was found that all twenty candidates were in the poor (n = 19; 60%), fair (n = 9; 36%), and average (n = 6; 4%) categories, with none in the good or excellent category. This study can benefit candidates by demonstrating that educational qualifications are not the only important criterion for success in a job interview.

UGC Guidelines for Synchronization of Apprenticeship/ Internship in Degree Programmes of HEIs

With the sole objective of making the fresh graduates to be ready for employment with the necessary knowledge, competencies and the attitude, the UGC has framed the guidelines for higher educational institutions to offer apprenticeship and/or internship integrated degree programme at the under-graduate level. The scheme will focus on outcome-based learning and will equip the students to demonstrate workforce abilities for potential employment. The Apprenticeship/Internship degree programme will be embedded in the general stream with cooperation between industry and academia. This will bring a close relationship between education and industry/service sectors on a sustainable basis apart from helping the industry in securing good quality manpower. Across the global, Apprenticeship/Internship is considered as the most efficient and effective structured training programme for exposure to the real working environment. This strategy has an enormous scope to combine work-based learning with theoretical knowledge of respective disciplines. Amendments made in Apprenticeship Act/Rules during 2014-19 have given scope to link Apprenticeship programme to Education. Further, the UGC taking into consideration the present situation has framed new guidelines to improve the employability of students in the general stream ; to focus on outcome-based learning ; and to promote linkage between the degree programmes and industry. In this regard, the present article will introduce the readers with regard to the programme objectives, scope, duration, credit mechanism, assessment, learning outcome, role of HEIs, roles of Industry Associations, Sector Skill Councils and Board of Apprenticeship Training and lastly, monitoring by UGC. These guidelines have been designed keeping in view the visionary goal set by the NEP, 2020 for holistic development of the students.

Experience from the Project Approach in Teaching Technology Subjects at the University of Chemical Technology Prague – Teaching for Practice

A proposal was formulated at the University of Chemical Technology (UCT) Prague in 2016 to implement the project approach in teaching technology subjects. A grant was awarded for an Operational Program Research Development and Education project called "Education Improvement – UCT Prague Priority" from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. The project's main goals were that UCT graduates would understand the application of chemistry in practice simultaneously in the context of the given field of study, as well as the law, economy, safety and environmental impact, realize the importance of viability and profitability of technical projects, learn about usable methods applied in the implementation of technical projects, and get acquainted with the principles of creation of teams and team work. A team of teachers and outside consultants from practice have been created. Using the Internet and personal contacts, experience with the use of project approach in teaching at the Czech universities has been gathered. Experience from the project approach in teaching at UCT Prague has been summed up. Basic 12 modules of real-life technical projects have been defined and described in a Methodical Handbook which also includes a number of tools for students. A new subject has been created on the use of scheduling software. A total of 8 technology subjects have been selected for piloting of the project in 2018–2021, employing the created tools. The experience with teaching the pilot subjects was used in the lifelong education of the university teachers. The results will also be used for the teaching other technology subjects at UCT Prague. It can be expected that the project will contribute to a better employability of fresh graduates, their faster adaptation to the requirements of practice, a faster career growth, and that it will improve the feedback from graduates to the teaching staff and their activities at UCT Prague.

Impression Management Tactics in Job Interviews among Fresh graduates in Malaysia: A Case Study in a Workplace

The job interview is a viable assessment platform for interviewers to determine the viable prospective graduate for job hiring. During such critical meeting point, the fate of fresh graduates is decided by representatives of an organisation on the suitability of an interviewee for the job. Yet many fresh graduates struggle at such entry level gatekeeping to the professional workplace in view of inability to impress the interviewer. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether impression management tactics are portrayed by the fresh graduates during job interviews. They were 15 interviewees who participated in the present study. The job interview data from an organisation was analysed qualitatively using impression management tactics (IMTs) theories. The findings show that the interviewees were poor impression management tactics; interviewees indicated lack of self-presentation and exemplification as positive indicators in securing a job. Hence, impression management tactics are essential in job interviews.

DAMPAK PELATIHAN ONLINE RESCHEDULE LIFESTYLE PASIEN HIPERTENSI TERHADAP PENINGKATAN PENGETAHUAN DAN KEMAMPUAN NERS FRESH GRADUATE DI MASA PANDEMI COVID -19

The high mortality rate in hypertensive sufferers is one sign that the Indonesian people still do not understand the importance of adherence to medication and lifestyle changes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of online training on lifestyle rescheduling of hypertensive patients on the knowledge and abilities of fresh graduate nurses. The research design used a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test with a population of all Fresh Graduate Stikes Bina Sehat PPNI Mojokerto. The sample used was 30 respondents using simple random sampling. Data collection using a questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out with frequency distribution and then performed normality test using Kolmogorov Smirnoff to obtain data for the two normal variables. To determine the impact of online training on knowledge and abilities, the Paired t-test was conducted. Based on the results of the Paired T-Test on the impact of online training on knowledge, the value of p = 0.000 <0.05 was obtained and the results of the Paired T-Test on the impact of online training on ability obtained p-value = 0.001 <0.05. The results of the study prove that online training on Lifestyle Rescheduling has an impact on increasing the knowledge and abilities of respondents. Training in the form of interactive sessions and the use of various presentation methods and assistance in the application of lifestyle rescheduling of hypertensive patients can increase the knowledge and abilities of respondents.

The Description of Types of Faking Based on Tenure and Frequency of Interview Experience

This research is aimed to describe the faking behaviour mostly committed by applicants, both fresh graduates and working experienced ones, during their selection interview process. This study was participated by 258 subjects following the interview section with the criteria as follow: (1) those being selected at the companies in Medan City (2) Both fresh graduates who had never been interviewed and the working experienced ones :(3) Willingness to participate in the research. The samples were taken accidentally and then provided with the Likert scale of faking developed by Levashina. The raw data were analysed with the descriptive statistic, table of frequency distribution and of crosstab to display the description of faking types from both subject categories, The result illustrated that 162 respondents, 62%, mostly applied Image Protection (IP) as their faking mechanism and it was followed with 55 or 21%, with Extensive Image Protection. Integration was committed by 20 interviewers (8%) which was slightly different from the total of the those using Slight Image Creation (SIC) which was as much as 21 subjects (8%). Aside from that, the fresh graduates and the interviewee with interview experiences have the highest percentage for each type of faking, as many as 1-3 times.

Institutional Assistance and Adaptation of Fresh Graduates Facing Employment Crisis and Poverty

Purposes – The purposes of the study are to investigate the likelihood of poverty as a result of the employment crisis, specify the coping mechanisms available for dealing with the employment crisis, and evaluate the institutional support available for reducing the employment crisis. Design/ methodology/ approach – This study’s data collection and analysis employed an exploratory research design. The investigation included both a literature review and an empirical investigation. This survey's empirical data were gathered through the use of a structured questionnaire pertaining to the study's factors involved. Findings – The total average of "agree" and "strongly agree" answers about the perceived employment crisis is 79.83%. The possible risk of poverty is 80%, getting help from institutions is 69.46%, and the ability to find a job during and after graduation is 84.36% according to the results of the study. Practical implications – Fresh graduates are facing a desperate employment situation. It's evident that this empirical study was initiated to detect what particular circumstances are responsible for the employment crisis and poverty risk of graduates and look for adaptation mechanisms and institutional assistance to reduce this crisis. Research limitation – Due to the voluntary nature of the responses and the majority of respondents' lack of interest, data collection was extremely challenging. One hundred and fifty participants limited the scope of the study. Orginality/ value – According to the study, mechanisms and institutional assistance are needed to consolidate the employment crisis and address graduate unemployment, but they are unsustainable in the context of Bangladesh. However, based on the results of this study, recommendations have been provided to overcome this consequential problem.

To Assess Knowledge of Glaucoma in General Practitioners, Resident Doctors and Interns in Anand District, Gujarat, India

Introduction: Glaucoma has been established as the second most leading cause of blindness after cataract, which is usually irreversible and accounts for 10.1% of total blindness worldwide. Glaucoma has affected 79.6 million people worldwide by 2020. The estimated prevalence of glaucoma for India is 12 million. The Government of India aims to reduce the prevalence of blindness to 0.25/1000 by 2025 and disease burden by one-third from current levels. In a developing country, like India, ‘physician of first contact’ may be a general practitioner, resident doctor or intern. Aim: To assess knowledge of glaucoma in general practitioners, resident doctors and interns, in Anand district, Gujarat and to identify the level of difference of knowledge in each group and to suggest remedial measures for the same. Materials and Methods: A descriptive semi-structured questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted in Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India, after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee between July-September 2017. Informed written consent was taken from 240 medical doctors comprising of interns (undergoing compulsory rotatory internship), 1st to 3rd year resident doctors (postgraduate students) working in different wards of all the clinical department and general practitioners practising in radius of 15 kilometers of the main hospital located in Anand district of Gujarat state (80 in each category) and a questionnaire was administered. Participants were inquired of about the knowledge of glaucoma, the sneak thief of sight. Residents of Ophthalmology were excluded to avoid bias. Cramer’s V association, Chi-square test and Fisher's-Exact tests were applied. Results: Respondents included general practitioners, residents, interns (80:80:80). Glaucoma knowledge was to be higher in residents as compared to interns and general practitioners. About 78.75% residents scored 7 and above, out of 10 whereas 61.25% interns and 50% general practitioners obtained the same score. Conclusion: The authors found that knowledge about glaucoma in multi-scale medical practitioners is not uniform and reasonably less than it shall be. Resident doctors (fresh graduates and completed compulsory rotatory internship) have better knowledge about various aspects of glaucoma as compared to general practitioners and interns which demands the need for frequent reorientation programme and internship in Ophthalmology guiding about various aspects of disease entities responsible for blindness.

Research on the benefits of new graduates' code of conduct when interviewing at foreign companies to get a job and a stable salary

In this article, we will study and analyze the code of conduct of fresh graduates when applying to companies. From there, students will gain the necessary knowledge, such as behavior and soft skills to adapt to the new working environment, as well as the language. These rules are essential and play a role in the success of graduating students. The results show that student salaries and promotions are correlated with standard codes of conduct. This article researches and analyzes the code of conduct of newly graduated students, thereby giving suggestions and solutions for candidates to be appreciated by employers. It also describes the preparation process so that fresh graduates can confidently and express themselves when entering a new environment. References Brown, C. E. (2016). Ethical issues when graduate students act as mentors. Ethics & Behavior, 26(8), 688-702. McCabe, D. L., Trevino, L. K., & Butterfield, K. D. (1996). The influence of collegiate and corporate codes of conduct on ethics-related behavior in the workplace. Business Ethics Quarterly, 461-476. Proper, E. (2012). Toward a code of conduct for graduate education. New Directions for Higher Education, 2012(160), 49-59. Nitsch, D., Baetz, M., & Hughes, J. C. (2005). Why code of conduct violations go unreported: A conceptual framework to guide intervention and future research. Journal of Business Ethics, 57(4), 327-341. Fisher, E., & Lightner, M. (2009). Entering the social experiment: A case for the informed consent of graduate engineering students. Social Epistemology, 23(3-4), 283-300. Lei, S. A., & Yin, D. (2019). Evaluating benefits and drawbacks of internships: Perspectives of college students. College Student Journal, 53(2), 181-189. Jollands, M., Jolly, L., & Molyneaux, T. (2012). Project-based learning as a contributing factor to graduates’ work readiness. European Journal of Engineering Education, 37(2), 143-154. Proper, E. (2012). Toward a code of conduct for graduate education. New Directions for Higher Education, 2012(160), 49-59. Hénard, F., Diamond, L., & Roseveare, D. (2012). Approaches to internationalisation and their implications for strategic management and institutional practice. IMHE Institutional

Research on the construction of applied courses for journalism and communication majors in private colleges and universities from the perspective of the integration of production and education

In today's era, the structure of various industries is being optimized. At the same time, with the improvement of all aspects, the requirements of various positions and occupational standards in the industry are gradually becoming higher and higher, and the training of relevant talents has become more important. How to In order to let the fresh graduates adapt to the life of the industry as soon as possible. In view of the above background, from the perspective of the integration of production and education, the construction of application-oriented courses for journalism and communication majors in private colleges and universities needs to make it clear that improving students' employment competitiveness is the main content of course construction, and the teaching environment is as close to the working environment as possible. To build a gradual and mutually integrated curriculum collection system suitable for students' professional learning, and to improve this curriculum system by continuously strengthening teachers.

Analysis of China's Population Flow between Urban and Rural Areas and the Reform of Public Health Old-Age Insurance System under the Background of Sustainable Ecological Environment.

The future impact of population development trend on social security is extremely huge and far-reaching, to conform to the law of population mobility to adjust the relevant policies, this study is for the urban and rural flow of the Chinese population, and the public health endowment insurance system analyzes the implementation status of PHEI of China's floating population and the existing problems of labor dispatch and employee endowment insurance system. Questionnaires were distributed to 3000 high-quality migrant workers who participated in the training of high-quality migrant workers in 6 cities in Central China where labor export is concentrated and 1000 fresh graduates from agricultural colleges and universities; through the bivariate t-check model in SPSS software, this study analyzes the needs of landless farmers, agricultural scientific and technological talents, and employed people for the living environment. The results show that from the population outflow and population inflow process there has been certain influence on the sustainable ecological environment; this study puts forward the reform of public health endowment insurance system of floating population, the strategy means in accelerating the rural talent revitalization, for the sustainable development of rural areas that has a significant positive effect.

Is the curriculum of transfusion medicine in MBBS aligned with practical needs: A point of view of fresh graduates

<b>OBJECTIVE:</b> The objective of the study is to assess the satisfaction level of doctors regarding their competence in the blood transfusion process and their reflection on training at the undergraduate level. <b>BACKGROUND:</b> Transfusion errors due to suboptimal knowledge and lack of training can lead to grave outcomes. Therefore, to optimize patient care, a thorough understanding of transfusion medicine basics is highly imperative for all medical graduates. <b>METHODOLOGY:</b> This survey was conducted online through Google forms with a questionnaire consisting of 15 questions. 8 medical colleges (4 government and 4 private) were selected by random cluster sampling technique. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23. <b>RESULTS:</b> Of 502 participants, 53.8% were females and 69.9% were graduates of public medical colleges. About 84.6% did not receive any formal training on transfusion during graduation. Almost 82% felt that the current curriculum is not designed to meet their practical needs of blood transfusion and 52% agreed that knowledge of transfusion medicine is required for undergraduates. The survey also revealed that 70.5% of participants believed that whole blood is required for most patients and 49.8% did not feel confident to manage transfusion-related complications by themselves. <b>CONCLUSION:</b> Our survey showed that our undergraduate curriculum is not aligned with the practical transfusion needs of a young doctor. As transfusions are being carried out by these young doctors, this needs to be addressed by revising the current curriculum and incorporating teaching and hands-on training to our medical graduates.

Unemployment During the Recent COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Perspective of Fresh Graduates from a Developing Nation

Abstract The recent COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the radical changes in economics, labour market and business models globally. The job market is no exception. This study aims to find out what factors affect job opportunities for recent graduates during a pandemic. It is a quantitative study in which 200 recent graduates were randomly chosen. Factor analysis, both exploratory and confirmatory, was used. The study tests the hypothesis and confirms the contributing factors to the unemployment problem by conducting a path analysis using structural equation modelling (SEM). It is hard for recent graduates to get jobs because of economic and personal reasons during this pandemic. On the other hand, the study does not think that social issues play a significant role. The study will aid similar groups in comprehending the phenomena and devising strategies to overcome their causes. A future study could compare the underlying issues in various countries. This paper, among the very few studies, will assist the stakeholders in comprehending the job market in a developing country during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, particularly from the perspective of a recent graduate.

Fresh Graduate Students� Difficulties in Writing Research Articles

Writing research article is one of requirement for a student�s university to be fulfilled before graduate. However, writing research article is not easy for the student. This research aimed to find out the difficulties in writing research article, the cause of the difficulties in writing research article and the way to overcome the difficulties in writing research article. The respondents of this research were 4 fresh graduate students who graduated in 2020 and the data ware obtained through interview. This research used descriptive qualitative method by using the procedures from Miles and Huberman (1994). The result of this study shows that the difficulties in writing research article were in finding references and struggle in using correct grammar, the worry about feedback from the readers was the cause of the difficulties and the fresh graduate had their own solution to overcome the difficulties in writing research article. In conclusion, the fresh graduate of the English Education Study Program of Bengkulu University faced various difficulties in writing research article and had cause of the difficulties in writing research article, but they had solution to deal with such difficulties.

Generic Competency Model: Business Graduate Key Competencies for Successful Working at Trading Companies - Case Study from the Czech Republic

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to create a generic competency model based on the entry-level positions’ requirements of human resource managers in trading companies operating in the Czech Republic. The proposed model should define an optimal set of key competencies that a competent graduate of business degree should have to be successful in specific selection processes for different graduate jobs in trading companies and thus be successful in performing job duties. Design/methodology/approach: The research question for this study was which key competencies business graduates need the most for entry-level positions in the field of trading and which ideal behavior is expected for such competencies. Within the questionnaire survey, the degree of significance of the defined key competencies was subsequently determined. The target population consisted of trading companies with 25 - 249 employees based and operating in the Czech Republic that are willing to hire fresh graduates for entry-level positions. The quantitative data was finally obtained from 419 companies. On the basis of the data analysis results, a generic competency model of a university graduate of business degree was created. Findings: The generic model developed on the basis of the data from trading companies consists of two parts. It defines an optimal set of 6 key competencies as well as the expected behavior that a competent business graduate should have to succeed in specific selection processes for various positions in trading companies that require university education, and subsequently, to be successful in performing jobs in the trade sector. Research limitations/implications: The research limitations are caused mainly by two factors: the company size and products that the trading company is (re)selling. Although specific key competencies can be rated as very important by two different recruiters in the questionnaire, requirements, and expectations of a small company operating in an extremely competitive environment may be significantly higher than in the case of company with large staff and an extensive customer base, or vice versa. Originality/value: The resulting competency model can make the selection process more transparent for both recruiters and job candidates because of established standards concerning desirable key competencies for such positions in trading companies. At the same time, this tool can be an acceleration and suitable starting point for more extensive implementation of the modern competency-based approach for economics and business degrees at universities.