Learning driven career choices rise as majority of students prioritise skills over salary, finds Unstop report

Ankit Aggarwal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Unstop, said 60 to 65 percent students value learning while only 36 percent HR leaders feel prepared to manage Gen Z talent

Career priorities among young professionals in India are shifting, with a growing focus on learning and skill development over starting salaries, according to a new report by Unstop.
The Unstop Talent Report 2026, based on responses from over 37000 students and 500 HR leaders, highlights changing expectations among Gen Z candidates and evolving hiring trends across industries.

The findings show that 60 to 65 percent of students prioritise learning opportunities and skill development when choosing their first job, while only 11 to 13 percent consider salary as the primary factor. At the same time, more than 90 percent of Gen Z professionals are willing to accept slightly lower compensation in exchange for better growth opportunities and faster career progression.
Internships are increasingly becoming a key entry point into the workforce, with 78 percent of organisations offering such programmes. However, only 16 percent convert more than 80 percent of interns into full time roles, indicating a gap between internship exposure and long term employment outcomes.

The report also points to changing job search behaviour, with nearly 95 percent of students open to off campus opportunities if better roles are available. Differences in placement outcomes remain significant, with students from campuses hosting over 150 recruiters being almost three times more likely to secure jobs than those with fewer opportunities.
Despite these shifts, organisations are still adapting to new expectations. Only 36 percent of HR leaders reported feeling fully prepared to hire and manage Gen Z talent, highlighting a readiness gap in the workforce.

Pay transparency has also emerged as a critical factor, with nearly 27 percent of candidates dropping out of hiring processes due to lack of clarity around compensation. In addition, early career attrition remains a concern, with many employees leaving roles due to limited growth opportunities, higher studies, better pay or mismatch in job roles.
Ankit Aggarwal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Unstop, said, “Gen Z is entering the workforce with a very different set of expectations compared to previous generations. They value transparency, learning opportunities, and meaningful growth over traditional markers of employment. Through the Unstop Talent Report 2026, we aim to provide organisations with actionable insights that can help them better understand and engage the next generation of talent.”

The report also highlights preferred employers among Gen Z, with global technology companies such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon ranking highly across both engineering and management students.
The findings reflect a broader shift in how early career professionals evaluate job opportunities, with emphasis moving toward growth, transparency and long term development.

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