06 December 2011
Young professionals value social media and smartphones over salary
More than half of young people value Facebook and smart phones over salary.
One in three college students and employees under the age of 30 would prioritize social media freedom, device flexibility and work mobility over salary in accepting a job offer.
This is one of the key findings from the second annual Cisco Connected World Technology Report, which assesses the challenges companies face as they strive to balance employee and business needs amid increasing network demands, mobility capabilities and security risks.
Of the 2,800 students and young workers surveyed globally, 40 percent of college students and 45 percent of young employees would accept a lower-paying job if it had more flexibility on device choice, social media access and mobility over a higher-paying job with less flexibility.
Other highlights from the survey include: 64 percent of college students would ask about social media usage policies during job interviews, and one in four overall (24%) said it will be a key factor in determining whether or not to accept an offer.
Forty-one percent of young professionals said their companies marketed a flexible device and social media policy to recruit and attract them.
More than half of college students globally (56%) replied that if they encountered a company that banned access to social media, they would either not accept the job offer or would join and find a way to get around it. 29 percent of college students believed that once they begin working, it will be their right – not just a privilege – to be able to work remotely with a flexible schedule.
The study indicates that the expectations and priorities of the next generation of workers is not solely tied to wages and earning more money.
Read more on the 2011 Cisco Connected World Technology Report: www.cisco.com/go/connectedreport
Have your say
What are your views on these results? How are Generation Y employees being engaged in your organization? Share your thoughts below…
Recommended resources:
The Neustar Idol Contest: Getting employees to tell the story
Re-defining the notion of CSR at Nestlé
Q&A: How do I encourage innovation in a professional organization through internal communication?
Got a news story? Contact the newsdesk