A survey has revealed that some employers are hesitant to hire college graduates who participated in pro-Palestinian protests.

The job market is challenging for the class of 2024, as employers are becoming more cautious about hiring them.

A survey of 1,268 U.S. business leaders by Intelligent.com found that 64% of employers have become more concerned about hiring graduates in the past five years.

Recent graduates who have attended pro-Palestinian protests in the past six months are causing concern for almost a third of employers, while 22% are hesitant to hire graduates who have participated in these demonstrations.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place on college campuses in the United States. Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, is responsible for the October 7 terror attack in Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, according to official figures. The Israel-Hamas war has also resulted in the deaths of more than 35,000 people in Gaza, as reported by Palestinian health authorities there.

High-profile colleges have seen involvement from students, including Columbia University, the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan, and the University of Mississippi, among others.

Over half of employers are hesitant to hire protesters due to their potential confrontational behavior and political views, which could make other workers feel uncomfortable, according to a survey.

They perceived protesters as liabilities, dangerous, lacking a decent education, and having political beliefs that were different from their own.

"Given the recent campus protests and other events, it's understandable that employers may want to avoid potential distractions and conflicts in the workplace," said Huys Nguyen, chief education and career development advisor at Intelligent.com, to CNBC Make it.

Nguyen stated that while it is important to exercise free speech and share personal opinions on social issues, employers should avoid judging candidates based on their perceived political views. Instead, they should prioritize a candidate's skills, experience, and other job-related qualifications.

Job application process

While some business leaders are eager to hire protest attendees for their strong values and political beliefs, others are neutral on the matter.

During job interviews, 31% of business leaders frequently inquire about a candidate's involvement in protests, while 54% rarely ask about it, according to a survey.

During the hiring process, a candidate's political views should never be taken into consideration, as explained by Nguyen.

"Employers who show bias may face legal consequences in some jurisdictions, as it is not only unethical but has no bearing on a candidate's ability to perform job responsibilities."

College students and graduates should be aware that some employers may have biases against their political views and activism, but they don't need to repress them.

Nguyen advised that when applying for jobs, it is important to maintain professionalism by keeping personal political views separate from career objectives and emphasizing one's qualifications for the position being applied for.

He advised recognizing biases but not letting them hinder progress, emphasizing the importance of an adaptable mindset, continuous learning, and confidence in overcoming challenges in one's career journey.