What helps you get ahead in your job search? We asked, you told
Skills, education, long work history or young age? In our October Members' Pulse, we asked which things increase your chances of succeeding in a new job and received more than 16 000 responses. Professional status and education influence how you approach getting a new job.
The biggest influence on finding a new job is, according to respondents, their own activity. This was cited by as many as 47% of respondents. The survey asked respondents to select up to three factors that contribute to finding a new job.
Skills and education were evenly matched, with 40% of respondents choosing one or the other. Work experience in the same field (32%) and personal relationships (30%) were also seen as important in helping people find a new job.
Managers emphasise personal relationships, employees education and work history
Differences were found when responses were examined by the respondent's occupational status. Employee respondents stressed the importance of education and a long work history, while entrepreneurs and managers stressed the importance of personal relationships.
Social skills were highlighted by managers and entrepreneurs as a quality that helps them to find a new job. Skills were a popular response in all groups, but were particularly emphasised by those working as specialists.
"People in management positions often find new jobs through their personal networks, so it is understandable that they emphasised them in their responses. For professionals, on the other hand, personal skills are often at the heart of their professional identity, and for employees the emphasis on the qualifying role of education is understandable," says the YTK's Communications Manager Lauri Hannus.
Knowledge is important, youth is not
On average, the more highly educated the respondent, the more weight he or she gave to skills, personal relationships and work experience in the same field. Those who entered the labour market with a primary education background considered a long work history to be an important factor in finding a new job.
Youth was not seen as a key criterion for getting a new job. It was selected by only 10% of respondents.
"Personal skills, training and activity are highlighted throughout the responses. So our members believe that focusing on these is more likely to open the doors to a new job, regardless of the economic climate", says Lauri Hannus.
In October, we asked our Members' Pulse survey about current issues related to working life and the economy, and received more than 16 000 responses - thank you to each and every one of you! More information on the results of the Members' Pulse will be available on the YTK's channels in the near future.
