Best Employers in 2018: Students Preferences Survey

25/ 04/ 2019

KYIV, 25 APRIL 2019. EY Ukraine People Advisory Services specialists conducted Best Employer survey, which provides the analysis of students’ preferences when choosing an employer. In 2018, about 1,400 students from more than 30 universities of Ukraine participated in the survey during September-December 2018. EY expresses its gratitude to partners for the help in conducting an online survey, as well as to Ukrainian universities for cooperation and distribution of questionnaires among students. The detailed results of research Factors of employer attractiveness Over the last few years, the key criteria for students when choosing an employer remain unchanged. The most important among them are opportunities for career growth, competitive wage and personal and professional development. These options were chosen by 70%, 57% and 51% of respondents, respectively. It should be noted that the gap between Career Growth and Salary increased in 2018. At the same time, students with work experience chose “Salary” more often than others. Same as in the last years survey, students find important the international experience of the company and its image on the market. The popularity of Schedule of Work factor has increased if compared with 2017. This proves the global trend that students seek to combine work with learning and work–life balance. The most attractive industries and employers Traditionally, most students are attracted by the IT industry where 55% of students would like to work. A large proportion of respondents also chose the field of professional services (audit and consulting) and the consumer sector. The least attractive were the oil and gas, telecommunication and agrochemical industries. Within the survey, students could indicate the companies they consider most attractive for employment. The most mentioned companies included (in alphabetical order) 1+1 Media, Google, Microsoft, Nestlé, PrivatBank, SoftServe, Philip Morris Ukraine and the Big Four audit and consulting companies. Sources of information about employers Students often obtain information about employers from the Internet, media and events (99%, 82% and 77% of respondents, respectively). The popularity of social networks as a source of information about employers has increased over the last three years. In 2018, this source came first, outstripping specialized employment websites. The online media remain most popular (91% of the respondents), while the traditional media (television, print media and radio) were opted by less than a third of students. Among the activities involving employers, job fair remain the most popular, while only 22% of them attend the open days in the companies. Families and relatives remain an important source of information about employers – almost a half of respondents take these recommendations into account. Job search difficulties According to the study, most of the job search difficulties are related to limited information about employment opportunities. More than half of students, both with and without work experience, face this problem. 37% of respondents feel lack of work experience. Among other issues, the study participants also noted lack of knowledge and skills, mismatches in the description of a vacancy and the reality, lack of feedback from companies. The last two problems were mentioned 6% and 10% more often than in the last year. Mobility of students Most students are ready to relocate for an employment, 68% of which are ready to move within the country and 77% – abroad. For the last three years, the proportion of students willing to move has decreased. The most popular cities for moving within the country are Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv and Dnipro (indicated in descending order of popularity). Students opted Germany, the USA, Poland, Canada and the Czech Republic among the most popular destinations for moving abroad. At the same time, only 14% of respondents are ready to move during the next year. Among the most popular reasons for moving abroad, students indicated material wealth, life experience in other countries and improvement of skills. Traditionally, the proportion of students willing to move abroad is much higher among students with a high level of English language proficiency. Characteristics of a perfect leader In the 2018 survey, students also could choose from the proposed list the key qualities and traits of an ideal leader. Students generally pointed out fewer characteristics than experienced candidates. According to the survey, leader’s respect and openness to new ideas are important for 64% of young professionals. In addition, students want their leader to support their professional development (49%), openly communicate (48%) and have a strategic vision (41%). About the Study EY has been conducting Best Employer Survey” in Ukraine since 2005. The purpose of the study is to analyze the attractiveness of employers on the labor market, determine the preferences of candidates when choosing a job and make practical recommendations for managing the employer brand. For the purposes of the survey, respondents could name up to three employers that they find most attractive, and select from the proposed industry lists a list of companies they are interested in. In addition, candidates identify attractiveness factors and sources of information about employers, and answer other questions that help identify general trends of the labor market. The EY People Advisory Services Practice provides consulting services in personnel management, conducts researches on an employer’s external image and employee engagement, corporate culture, values, motivational factors, etc. About EY EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. Contacts Nataliya Letik Senior Marketing Specialist, EY Ukraine +380 (44) 499 3364 [email protected]

KYIV, 25 APRIL 2019. EY Ukraine People Advisory Services specialists conducted “Best Employer” survey, which provides the analysis of students’ preferences when choosing an employer. In 2018, about 1,400 students from more than 30 universities of Ukraine participated in the survey during September-December 2018.

EY expresses its gratitude to partners for the help in conducting an online survey, as well as to Ukrainian universities for cooperation and distribution of questionnaires among students.

The detailed results of research

Factors of employer attractiveness

Over the last few years, the key criteria for students when choosing an employer remain unchanged. The most important among them are opportunities for career growth, competitive wage and personal and professional development. These options were chosen by 70%, 57% and 51% of respondents, respectively. It should be noted that the gap between “Career Growth” and “Salary” increased in 2018. At the same time, students with work experience chose “Salary” more often than others. Same as in the last year’s survey, students find important the international experience of the company and its image on the market. The popularity of “Schedule of Work” factor has increased if compared with 2017. This proves the global trend that students seek to combine work with learning and work–life balance.

The most attractive industries and employers

Traditionally, most students are attracted by the IT industry where 55% of students would like to work. A large proportion of respondents also chose the field of professional services (audit and consulting) and the consumer sector. The least attractive were the oil and gas, telecommunication and agrochemical industries.

Within the survey, students could indicate the companies they consider most attractive for employment. The most mentioned companies included (in alphabetical order) 1+1 Media, Google, Microsoft, Nestlé, PrivatBank, SoftServe, Philip Morris Ukraine and the Big Four audit and consulting companies.

Sources of information about employers

Students often obtain information about employers from the Internet, media and events (99%, 82% and 77% of respondents, respectively). The popularity of social networks as a source of information about employers has increased over the last three years. In 2018, this source came first, outstripping specialized employment websites. The online media remain most popular (91% of the respondents), while the traditional media (television, print media and radio) were opted by less than a third of students. Among the activities involving employers, job fair remain the most popular, while only 22% of them attend the open days in the companies.

Families and relatives remain an important source of information about employers – almost a half of respondents take these recommendations into account.

Job search difficulties

According to the study, most of the job search difficulties are related to limited information about employment opportunities. More than half of students, both with and without work experience, face this problem. 37% of respondents feel lack of work experience. Among other issues, the study participants also noted lack of knowledge and skills, mismatches in the description of a vacancy and the reality, lack of feedback from companies. The last two problems were mentioned 6% and 10% more often than in the last year.

Mobility of students

Most students are ready to relocate for an employment, 68% of which are ready to move within the country and 77% – abroad. For the last three years, the proportion of students willing to move has decreased. The most popular cities for moving within the country are Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv and Dnipro (indicated in descending order of popularity). Students opted Germany, the USA, Poland, Canada and the Czech Republic among the most popular destinations for moving abroad. At the same time, only 14% of respondents are ready to move during the next year.

Among the most popular reasons for moving abroad, students indicated material wealth, life experience in other countries and improvement of skills. Traditionally, the proportion of students willing to move abroad is much higher among students with a high level of English language proficiency.

Characteristics of a perfect leader

In the 2018 survey, students also could choose from the proposed list the key qualities and traits of an ideal leader. Students generally pointed out fewer characteristics than experienced candidates. According to the survey, leader’s respect and openness to new ideas are important for 64% of young professionals. In addition, students want their leader to support their professional development (49%), openly communicate (48%) and have a strategic vision (41%).

About the Study

EY has been conducting “Best Employer Survey” in Ukraine since 2005. The purpose of the study is to analyze the attractiveness of employers on the labor market, determine the preferences of candidates when choosing a job and make practical recommendations for managing the employer brand. For the purposes of the survey, respondents could name up to three employers that they find most attractive, and select from the proposed industry lists a list of companies they are interested in. In addition, candidates identify attractiveness factors and sources of information about employers, and answer other questions that help identify general trends of the labor market.

The EY People Advisory Services Practice provides consulting services in personnel management, conducts researches on an employer’s external image and employee engagement, corporate culture, values, motivational factors, etc.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

Contacts

Nataliya Letik

Senior Marketing Specialist, EY Ukraine

+380 (44) 499 3364

[email protected]