29 BACK TO THEMES U NITE STUDENTS | APPLICANT INDEX REPORT | 2023 Very little has changed since last year when it comes to applicants’ confidence about their employability. In line with last year’s findings, Black applicants are more confident in all areas and had a score of 67 for this theme. By contrast, Asian applicants scored 59 and are less likely to believe they have work skills or experience. Unlike last year, neurodivergent applicants scored somewhat higher than average. Although their confidence is slightly lower, they are more likely to have work experience and employment skills. Trans applicants consider themselves to have less work experience, even though they are just as likely to have done paid work as other applicants. Additionally, only 45% are confident about getting the job they want after graduation compared to 62% of applicants who are not Trans. However, on average, applicants who have taken on paid work over the last year score significantly higher in the Employment theme overall (66) compared to those who have not (53). Paid work is strongly associated not only with self-perception about being work experience but also with confidence about getting the job they want after graduation and their appeal to potential employers. EMPLOYMENT 62 The Employment score measures applicants’ confidence in their graduate employment prospects together with their employability skills and experience. I am confident about getting the job I want after graduation I have skills and experience that employers want I already have a lot of work experience I have taken part in activities to develop my skills for employment Figure 20 : Breakdown of responses to employment theme questions THEMATIC ANALYSIS - EMPLOYMENT 0% 100% 80% 50% 20% 90% 60% 30% 70% 40% 10% ■ Strong disagreement ■ Moderate disagreement ■ Neutral ■ Moderate agreement ■ Strong agreement No change