Young workers want to hit and quit, LinkedIn study finds

IT’S not just Tinder. New research has found young people want to hit and quit in their professional lives as well.

Young workers want to hit and quit

WE KNOW — you’re sick of us bashing young workers. Just one more, we promise.

A new study has found they really are entitled. Those with fewer than five years’ experience say they not only expect rapid promotions, but don’t plan to hang around long.

That’s according to LinkedIn’s latest Life of a Professional survey of more than 6000 students and young professionals.

With growing concern about a youth employment crisis in the country, the findings reveal surprising trends in how young workers view their place in the job market, and throws up stark contrast with their elder counterparts.

While the results of the study indicate a declining emphasis on employer loyalty among younger workers, there is an increased expectation of receiving a promotion within the first year of employment.

More than one fifth of students and early professionals say they expect a promotion within the first year of starting a position, compared to only 10 per cent of workers with 15-plus years of experience.

At the same time, the data reveals that new graduates are finding it tougher to enter the workforce, with only a quarter of jobseekers able to find work in the first month after graduation.

Despite the fact many are struggling to get their foot in the door, 23 per cent of new professionals feel they should only stay at their current position for two years before moving on. In contrast, one third of those with greater than 15 years’ experience think they should stay in their current role for at least 10 years before moving on.

Sally-Anne Blanshard, director of a career coaching firm Nourish, says the trend is due to the “rotation experience” of many introductory job placements.

“They’re given variety and then they develop an appetite for a range of roles,” she says.

She also felt technology played a part in the desire for instant gratification, reinforcing a feeling of “now, now, now”.

However for those thinking of leaving their job, Ms Blanshard hopes they’re doing it with something else to go to, “because it can be risky”.

Ms Blanshard thinks it is a simple case of a desire for recognition in the work environment felt by new workers.

“They’re coming in at such a low pay grade and as they gain more experience, they just want to see that recognised,” she says.

To illustrate the gulf in attitudes between new and established workers, close to one fifth of professionals with 15 years’ experience say they would not expect a promotion for 10 or more years after starting in a new position.

Finding your feet in the current job market can be difficult. Annabel Kruzins, 26, lives in Sydney and is currently looking for work after taking time off to travel. Miss Kruzins graduated from The Australian National University in mid-2012 with a Bachelor in Science and Business.

After job hunting for four months upon graduation, she found a full-time position as a business and operations analyst with a previous employer, located in the city.

Miss Kruzins left the role after a year and nine months as she became bored with the work and felt the company offered no opportunity for career progression.

Her experience reflects many of the findings from the LinkedIn study — and while initially happy with her level of pay, she became disenchanted with the diversity of responsibilities provided in the job.

Like many of the survey respondents, she feels that based on merit, a promotion shouldn't be out of reach in the first year of employment. “You want to be shown to be a valued person in the workforce”, she says.

According to the LinkedIn study, while young workers are keen to progress up the professional ladder in swift fashion, they are equally keen to ensure it occurs in their chosen field.

When asked about their dream industry, a majority were disinterested in pursuing careers in IT and telecommunications despite the high growth rates in these fields. The top three dream industries among those surveyed were healthcare, professional services and education.

For students and young workers, the most important factors in a dream job were happiness (66 per cent), money (39 per cent) and getting along with co-workers (38 per cent).

Ms Blanshard says in her experience, people tend to prioritise the importance of money far less in the later stages of their working life.

“Employers need to understand that and offer opportunities that fulfil the personal needs and aspirations of their employees,” she says. “Times are changing.”

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