Top Attributes Students Consider When Evaluating Potential Employers

Recently, ASA hosted a Project Talent webinar with students from Texas A&M University’s Industrial Distribution program.  During the webinar, students discussed their job search processes and preferences including how they continue to mix traditional recruitment resources such as job fairs with digital tools such as company websites and social media accounts.  They also spoke about what they look for in a potential employer and what’s most important to them.
 

Universum further validates these students’ thoughts on job seeking in their 2024 Talent Survey that can help ASA members view their companies through the lens of a prospective employee.
 

Universum is an employer branding firm that has conducted an annual talent survey for the past 30 years.  The study is aimed at understanding the preferences, expectations, and perceptions of students and young professionals regarding employer attractiveness. Over 600,000 students and professionals across several markets are surveyed. The survey collects insights on various attributes that potential talent considers important when choosing an employer.
 

The survey consisted of 40 different attributes, broken down into 4 different categories.
 

• Employer Reputation and Image
• People and Culture
• Remuneration and Advancement Opportunities
• Job Characteristics

Of these 40 attributes, those selected as the top ten most important by student survey respondents changed slightly when 2024 results are compared to 2023 responses. 

While several of these attributes are self-explanatory, Universum selected five attributes to investigate further to better understand the job seeker’s perspective.  These include secure employment, professional training and development, a friendly work environment, encouraging work-life balance, and flexible working conditions.
 

While the annual survey includes data from around the world, the information below only includes those responses from the Americas.
 

Secure Employment
 

Secure employment is critical for students, who seek stability and assurance in their professional lives, according to the survey.  When asked to further explain, students stated these three priorities.
 

• Stable income and benefits
• Long-term career growth
• Transparency of salary ranges per job function/seniority, etc.

Considerations for ASA Members: emphasize job security by offering long-term contracts, clear career paths, and transparent communication about the company’s financial health and future prospects.

Professional Training and Development
 

Students prioritize having a well-defined career ladder and advancement opportunities. This indicates students are looking for clear pathways to grow within the organization, rather than just ad-hoc training sessions.  They further define this as:
 

• Well-defined career ladder and advancement opportunities
• Mentorship and coaching for all employees
• Opportunities for career mobility and reskilling and upskilling programs

Considerations for ASA Members:  Focus on creating structured career ladders that outline clear advancement opportunities. This includes training programs, mentorship, access to reskilling and upskilling initiatives, and transparent communication about career progression.

A Friendly Work Environment
 

This attribute was defined as a positive work environment characterized by the following:

• Collaborative work environment
• Positive interactions with managers
• Constructive feedback culture

Considerations for ASA Members:  Foster a collaborative culture by promoting open communication, team-building activities, and ensuring that management is approachable and supportive. Recognizing and celebrating team successes can also enhance the work environment.

Encouraging Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is linked to flexible working conditions and supportive policies that allow students to manage their personal and professional lives effectively. Students further prioritize the following:
 

• Compliance with standard working hours
• Mental health support
• Consideration of private interests when requesting leave

Considerations for ASA Members:  Implement policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and ensuring workloads are manageable. Promoting a culture that values personal time and well-being is also crucial.
 

Flexible Working Conditions
 

Flexibility as defined by the students completing the survey includes: 
 

• Self-scheduling working hours
• Flexible benefits
• Opportunity to work remotely

Considerations for ASA Members:  OIffer flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting options, flexible scheduling, and remote work capabilities. Additionally, providing the necessary tools and support for remote work can help employees maintain productivity and engagement.
 

As previously mentioned, the students who responded to this survey are considering opportunities in many different industries.  Not all of these attributes can be satisfied in every industry including the PVF/PHCP industry where flexible working conditions may not be practical as an example.
 

However, these factors can provide a window into the thoughts of students as they evaluate opportunities for their future.
 

For more information on the results of this survey and more talent research, please visit Universum at https://universumglobal.com.
 

Project Talent is one of four mega goals included in the Association’s strategic plan. This goal includes the objective of developing and implementing a program to attract and grow the number of talented workers taking advantage of fulfilling career opportunities in the PHCP/PVF industry.