The definition of an ideal job evolves with each passing generation. At this moment, Millennials are the current heirs to the future we’re about to live in.
International audit and consulting firm, Deloitte, has recently conducted a survey detailing what millennials worldwide expect of their jobs and what companies should do to attract and retain them. Let’s briefly take a look at some of the key findings.
1 in 4 Will Quit Their Current Job, If Given The Choice
“In each of the 29 countries where Millennials were surveyed, a majority believe they will have left their organisations before 2020 has passed.“
It’s not that surprising considering job-hopping amongst the younger workers have always been considerably rampant. What football calls a ‘one-club man‘, shout-out to the great Paolo Maldini, simply is few and far between in the corporate world. Lengthy LinkedIn accounts with jobs lasting an average of 2 to 5 years are aplenty. When looking at specifics however, not all millennials are as disloyal as it seems. The survey found that 34% of those who are already parents expect to stay with their current employers for at least 5 years, or more, while ones who are married, or single, not so much, at 24%.
Reputation Isn’t Everything
“survey respondents also indicate little desire to be famous, have a high profile on social media, or accumulate great wealth.”
More than 6 in 10 millennials judge how well a business is doing by what it does and how it treats people. This includes, products and services, levels of employee satisfaction, and also innovation and efficiency. They are also not easily swayed by how big the company is, how long its been around or the hype or buzz surrounding it. A higher priority goes to how much ‘positive energy’ the office exudes, for millennials to consider working there.
Flexibility Is Key
“When salary or other financial benefits are removed from the equation, work/life balance and opportunities to progress or take on leadership roles stand out.”
Flexibility in this case, doesn’t just necessarily mean just the working hours. Millennials also prefer a more mobile working environment. 77% of respondents wish they can just as easily work through their mobile phones and tablets. Also, mobile in a sense that they are not just restricted to within the office. They feel that the ability to work remotely, from home, or anywhere else where they can be a lot more productive would be a huge plus point. 75% have indicated that they would like to start doing so, while 51% believe it will significantly have a positive impact on productivity.
Maybe it’s time offices start making conducive spaces for employees.
The Big W/L Quotient
“They seek a good work/life balance, they want to own their own homes, they desire a partner for life, and they strive for financial security that allows them to save enough money for a comfortable retirement.”
A term you cannot run away from, anywhere in the world. In developed markets, it is the common denominator on whether millennials stay on with their current jobs. This factor is more or less top of the priorities by millennials when finding that dream job, flexibility only ranks in second. In some cases too, work/life balance takes precedence over career progression.
The Reality?
Well we’ve decided to find out if there is any truth to the survey. Together with Jobstreet.com‘s #icanbebetter campaign, we asked some students ourselves, about what they will look out for in their prospective careers, as well as how they are likely to change their priorities later in life.
Let’s have a look and what they have to say.
1. Alicia Neo
School: National University of Singapore
Major: Sociology
What do you look for in a Job?
I look for one that interests me and gives me the opportunity to learn and grow with it.
How important is it to have a work/life balance?
How important is it to have work-life balance? Very important. I don’t think life should just only revolve around work. I think we need to spend some time doing other leisure activities for the body and mind to relax.
How do you see personal progression (getting married/starting a family) will change the way you look for a job in the future?
I think when the time comes for marriage or starting a family, I will have to evaluate if the job then is stable and pay sufficiently enough for the long run.
2. Claudia Neo
School: Nanyang Technological University
Major: Business (Marketing)
What do you look for in a Job?
I think what is important is whether the job is something that interests me and is exciting yet challenging. I wouldn’t want to work for a job purely for the money because I believe that interest and passion would be able to keep me motivated in the long run. I guess other important factors would be the culture of the organization and work-life balance.
How important is it to have a work/life balance?
Work-life balance very important to me.
How do you see personal progression (getting married/starting a family) will change the way you look for a job in the future?
I think it wouldn’t affect my job seeking efforts for now but I believe that in the future it might result in me ruling out jobs that requires relocation or frequent travelling.
3. Charmaine Koh
School: Singapore Management University
Major: Psychology & Marketing
What do you look for in a Job?
Personal fulfillment, being able to do something I enjoy is really important. As they say, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Also, the chance for personal growth. For example, I am a model with Basic Models Management. When I started out, I was shy and reserved person, but after two years, I’ve learnt to be more confident.
How important is it to have a work/life balance?
In today’s day and age with advanced technology, such as being able to reply e-mails or have Skype meetings on your mobile wherever in the world you may be, it’s so hard to peel yourself away from work. Even when you’re on a holiday you could still ‘work’ from your mobile. As such, it is so much more important to finding the right balance with sufficient breaks in-between and also spending real quality time with your loved ones. Having been with Basic Models Management, flexibility is part of the job scope. I’m able to schedule modelling work around my personal schedule and it’s really rare to be able to find a job that gives you this much flexibility.
How do you see personal progression (getting married/starting a family) will change the way you look for a job in the future?
As a fresh graduate, I definitely want to find a job that provides stability. At this stage, I can still afford to work for long hours and weekends (hopefully not haha). In the future if, I want to settle down and start a family, I guess I would need to find a job that does not require the long hours.
4. Kevin Chow
School: Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Major: Spatial Design
What do you look for in a Job?
I look for a career that would help nurture my skills and provide me with knowledge that may allow me to start my own business in the future. I would also prefer a work space with a “family” like atmosphere where colleagues help each other and not 1 with a lot of office politics.
How important is it to have a work/life balance?
I am a family oriented person, and a flexible job that allows me to tend to any family issues would be a plus point. Progression in my career is vital but I try not to let it get in my ideals of having my family by my side.
How do you see personal progression (getting married/starting a family) will change the way you look for a job in the future?
I think it will be 1 of the main factors that I will want when looking for a job. Since there will be times where I may be required to leave office on short notice due to family commitments and i do not want to have the feeling of being judge when I leave office early for the commitments.
5. Novell Tan
School: LASALLE College of the Arts
Major: Fashion Media and Industries
What do you look for in a Job?
A company that encourages the more seasoned employees to mentor and train the newbies, so that those whom have recently joined the company will be able to better contribute to everyone.
How important is it to have work-life balance?
Being in the creative industry, working long hours can be inevitable. There are always deadlines that need to be met. I guess as long as we have adequate time off for vacation and maternity leave, that will be good enough.
How do you see your personal progression (eg. getting married/starting a family) change the way you look for a job in the future?
Priorities will differ as we mature, and any new personal commitments will definitely have an impact, so it might change a little.
6. Sheena Low
School: Singapore Institute of Management
Major: Professional Communications
What do you look for in a Job?
The opportunity for career development & advancement, a good company culture and respectable wage.
How important is it to have a work/life balance?
Quite important. I think a company filled with overworked staff says a lot about how concern the company is with staff welfare. Also, I personally don’t entirely believe working long hours consistently correlates to being productive.
How do you see personal progression (getting married/starting a family) will change the way you look for a job in the future?
I can’t really imagine it at the moment. Maybe in the future, but not so much within these 3 years. I guess salary and job stability will become more important when starting a family.
Contest Alert!
In collaboration with JobStreet.com, we are also running a Facebook and Instagram contest to promote the pursuit for a better tomorrow, starting with a better job. Life’s too short for regrets.
Check out our Facebook page for details to enter the contest, but first, make sure to click here to read the terms and conditions too. First prize is a pair of tickets by Singapore Airlines to South Korea!
