Over 80% of Job Seekers Report Mismatch Between Pre- and Post-Employment Expectations, 50% Say 'Significant Gap' — Mismatches in Job Content, Work Style, and Workplace Atmosphere [2026 New Graduate Survey]

Gakujo Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chuo Ward, Tokyo) conducted an online survey targeting members of the job site 'ReShuukatsu'—a platform specializing in job seekers in their 20s—who had recently joined companies as new graduates in spring 2026. When asked whether there was a gap between their pre-employment expectations and post-employment reality, half (50.0%) said 'significantly different,' and combined with 34.6% who said 'somewhat different,' over 80% reported a mismatch. The most prominent gap was in 'job content,' and this mismatch strongly correlates with early resignation intentions. 'Work style (overtime, holidays, etc.)' and 'workplace atmosphere' followed. Two out of three respondents said that explanations about the company, job duties, and work location provided to them before and after receiving an offer were insufficient. Providing concrete information about job content, work style, placement, and training to pre-joiners and aligning expectations before onboarding appears crucial to preventing mismatches and early resignations.

【TOPICS】

(1) Over 80% reported a gap between pre- and post-employment, with 50% saying 'significant gap'

(2) Mismatches felt in: ① Job content ② Work style ③ Workplace atmosphere

(3) Over half said explanations about the company and job up to the time of offer were 'insufficient'

(4) Two-thirds said post-offer explanations about work and work style were 'insufficient'

【Survey Background】

News reports of new graduates quitting shortly after joining, along with legal violations by resignation agencies, have brought early resignation among new employees into public discussion. To understand their mindset and reasons for leaving, Gakujo conducted an online survey targeting members of 'ReShuukatsu' who had just started their jobs in spring 2026.

(1) Over 80% reported a gap, with 50% saying 'significant gap'

When asked about the gap between their pre-employment image and post-employment reality at their new company, 50.0% said 'significantly different,' and combined with 34.6% who said 'somewhat different,' over 80% felt a mismatch.

(2) Mismatches felt in: ① Job content ② Work style ③ Workplace atmosphere

Regarding areas of mismatch (multiple responses allowed), 'job content' ranked highest at 51.9%, followed by 'work style (overtime, holidays, etc.)' at 38.5% and 'workplace atmosphere' at 36.5%.

(3) Over half said explanations about the company and job up to the time of offer were 'insufficient'

When asked whether explanations about the company and job during internship programs and company presentations up to the time of receiving an offer were sufficient, 55.7%—44.2% saying 'not really' and 11.5% saying 'not at all'—said they were insufficient, surpassing those who said 'sufficient.'

Specifically, respondents mentioned that 'the actual job content and workplace location were different from what was described.'

(4) Two-thirds said post-offer explanations about work and work style were 'insufficient'

Regarding whether explanations and training provided to pre-joiners about post-employment work and work style were sufficient, 65.4%—50.0% saying 'not really' and 15.4% saying 'not at all'—answered 'insufficient,' meaning two out of three felt the information was lacking. Specific complaints included: 'We were told there would be training after joining, but in reality, it was OJT (on-the-job training) while being scolded,' reflecting dissatisfaction with inadequate training systems.

The proportion feeling insufficient explanations was higher during the post-offer period—regarding work and work style—than during the pre-offer stage. Continuous information sharing and well-designed training programs from the time of offer to onboarding appear to be key to preventing early resignation.

Survey Overview

・Survey Period: June 7, 2026 – June 28, 2026

・Survey Organization: Gakujo Co., Ltd.

・Target: New graduates who joined in April 2026 and were registered members of the job site 'ReShuukatsu' for people in their 20s

・Valid Responses: 52

・Survey Method: Online questionnaire

※Figures are rounded to one decimal place, so the total for single-choice responses may not sum to 100.0%.

About Gakujo Co., Ltd.

A Prime-listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and member of Keidanren (Japan Business Federation). Since 2004, Gakujo has advocated for 'year-round hiring for people in their 20s.' It operates 'ReShuukatsu'—the No.1 job site for people in their 20s for seven consecutive years (2019–2025, according to Tokyo Shoko Research)—with 2.8 million members, 'ReShuukatsu 30' for people in their 30s, and 'ReShuukatsu Campus,' a scouting-based job site with 600,000 members. As a major job and career information company, Gakujo provides comprehensive support for hiring people in their 20s and 30s.

Gakujo also pioneered the 'joint corporate seminar' in Japan (based on internal research) and operates diverse services such as 'Job Fair' and 'Career Fair' to support young talent recruitment.

[Founded: 1976 / Capital: 1.5 billion yen / Affiliations: Japan Business Federation, National Employment Information Association, Japan Personnel Placement Association, Japan Job Information Publishing Council, Moribunka Foundation]

https://company.gakujo.ne.jp