• One in five employees selects Google as an attractive employer
• Popularity of financial-services continues to plummet

On November 14th, Universum USA released the results of their Professional Survey 2011. The Wall Street Journal covered a story entitled “Young Workers Like Facebook, Apple and Google”, written by Rachel Emma Silverman. The WSJ published the top 100 ideal employers based on the overall target group of 6,700 early-career professionals. The top five ideal employers are: 1) Google, 2) Apple, 3) Facebook, 4) U.S. Department of State and 5) The Walt Disney Company.

Below we present the key research highlights. If you want to know more about how America’s professionals perceive employers, please feel free to contact Universum.

Key research highlights on American Professionals

3 observations on talent perceptions of brand & industry, including consequences on employer popularity

1. Interest in investment banks decline

All of the investment banks experienced a drop in the overall young professional (YP) rankings. Investment banks in the US are being associated with market success and financial strength, but they are not perceived as offering secure employment, an important attribute for American young professionals.

2. Big Four are not as attractive as they are to college undergrads

The big four dropped in the overall YP rankings. All are still in the Top 100, but they are further away from the pinnacle than in the undergraduate rankings (link to US undergrad ranking). One of the top associations by students regarding the big four is good reference for future career. Many students may see these companies as a great place to start their career, whereas young professionals look for companies that offer more work/life balance and flexible working conditions – areas where the big four are not seen to deliver.

3. Retailers and Oil & Gas companies are on the rise

Seven out of ten retailers went up in the YP rankings, as well as five of the six employers within oil & gas. Retailers and oil & gas employers are associated with work/life balance, more so than the big four and investment banks. Interestingly, the oil & gas companies are also associated more with secure employment and flexible working conditions and Retailers are seen to have friendly work environments.

3 key observations on Young professionals’ career preferences, future choices & salary gaps

1. . People & Culture – the most important driver out of the four

Based on the four drivers of employer attractiveness (Employer Reputation & Image, People & Culture, Job Characteristics, and lastly Remuneration & Advancement Opportunities), People & Culture is the most important driver for YP’s, overtaking Remuneration & Advancement Opportunities. Within this driver, young professionals are looking for work/life balance, leaders who support their development, and a creative and dynamic work environment. Interestingly, the top five employers are more strongly associated with a friendly work environment compared to the average employer. For YP’s, this is the 4th most important attribute in the People & Culture driver.

2. Are America’s professionals disloyal workers?

70% of young professionals are interested in changing employers within the next four years, with the largest percentage – being 26% – interested in leaving in the next six months. In the past 12 months, 33% have applied for a new job with another employer.

3. Gender inequality

Male young professionals make $12,760 more than their female counterparts.