Recruit Management Solutions Co., Ltd., which supports companies in solving management and HR issues and advancing business and strategy, conducted a survey on selection processes and follow-up practices for 2026 graduate hiring to clarify the realities and challenges of new graduate recruitment in companies. As companies face increasingly visible challenges such as shortages of applicants, failure to meet planned hiring numbers, and heavier workloads for HR staff, they are pursuing various initiatives, including internships, revisions to selection processes, and stronger follow-up with candidates who have received job offers. The survey suggests that hiring fulfillment is not determined solely by company size or the number of initiatives implemented. Instead, the quality of selection and follow-up measures, individualized responses, strategic resource allocation, and continuous improvement are important. Specifically, for attract measures designed to engage applicants and raise their motivation to join, the quality of the content affects fulfillment more than whether such measures are implemented. For follow-up with candidates who have received offers, companies that conduct individual interviews through HR staff or recruiters tend to achieve hiring targets. The survey also found that companies meeting their hiring targets review each component of the selection process. Going forward, companies will need to pursue more sustainable hiring by improving the quality of recruitment activities within limited resources. The company hopes this survey will help inform future hiring strategies and HR measures. Executive summary: The main challenges in new graduate hiring are securing planned headcount and reducing HR workload. The average selection process has 4.1 steps, and interviews emphasize personality, fit with the company, and retention potential. About 30% of companies have reviewed their selection process over the past three years and have felt some effect. New meth