Born in 2000, the number of Chinese college graduates was only 940,000, and by 2022, when Liu Yu graduated, Chinese college graduates for the first time exceeded 10 million, reaching 10.76 million. College students’ employment problems have become the focus of attention of all social parties.
“I don’t want to start working yet. As a recent graduate, I can still take the civil service exam a few more times,” Liu Yu said. Many share his sentiment amid the intense competition for civil service positions.
Graduates as blank slates
In China, fresh graduates are students who have just finished university. They enjoy preferential treatment in government and state-owned enterprise recruitment, with some jobs reserved exclusively for fresh graduates. Even some quality positions only recruit fresh graduates for training without requiring work experience.
A prerequisite for maintaining fresh graduate status is that the student has not paid any social security contributions.
According to the National Civil Service website, the ratio of applicants to positions for 2024 is 68:1. In Tibet, one position with no requirements for residency, specialty, or work experience saw an applicant-to-position ratio exceeding 20,00:1.
Not all people who want to become civil servants start from the same point. Factors such as age, gender, education and application can be obstacles, eliminating many competitors.
The number of university graduates in China continues to rise, with millions entering the job market each year. However, job growth has failed to keep pace due to economic conditions.
Facing economic uncertainty and cost control, private enterprises prefer hiring candidates with work experience, reducing their recruitment of fresh graduates and making it increasingly difficult for them to find jobs.
“Many of my students start preparing for the civil service exam as early as their sophomore year.” said Xiong Fang, an associate professor at Northwest University of Political Science and Law.
The invisible shackles
Fresh graduate status has become an invisible shackle, and the number of applicants for fresh graduate positions can be 70 per cent less than the number of non-fresh graduates. According to national regulations, this status is valid for two years.
“Fresh graduates value certain advantages of civil service jobs that their own profession can’t offer, such as job stability, decent benefits, and higher social status.” Tong Xin, a professor at Shijiazhuang University, said,
After graduation, Liu Yu returned home to focus on exam preparation for a year, avoiding work to maintain this status.
What was that year like? Mainly lonely. He spent most of his time alone with almost no social life. His friends were busy with work during weekdays and had overtime or team-building activities on weekends, making their schedules incompatible with his life.
He even closed his social media and lost touch with his friends. This might have helped him maintain his mental balance and avoid the stress of comparison.
He found comfort in the lives of strangers on the internet. Seeing other people’s struggles made him feel less stressed. Compared to his busy life before, it was like “heaven” – he had time to browse Weibo and read Douban posts.
Many fresh graduates like Liu Yu, staying home to prepare for the civil service exam, face tough challenges. In a social media group named “Missed Campus Recruitment Rescue Center,” many share similar stories. With the results of the fall civil service exam being announced, disappointed young people keep emerging.
Some tried for a year, some even longer. As competition ratios increase, repeated failures lead to dark days and uncertain crossroads. Should they continue to strive for the exam or give up and look for a job? Some are unsure where to turn for help, feeling confused about the future of their graduating class.
“They believe that, in the long run, becoming a civil servant offers a better future than entering their chosen field, and it’s not because they lack confidence in their own profession. Fresh graduates have a significant advantage in the exam, so why not give it a try?” Professor Tong said.