Universum Professional Research: Computer scientists want money most of all
Basel, 11 December 2014 – Work-life balance is a topic that has dominated the discussion about
attractive employers for years. The latest professional research from Universum now proves that
although a good balance between work and private life is a long-term career goal, career decisions are
primarily made for financial reasons. In this regard, those particularly motivated by money are not
employees who have studied business administration, but computer scientists.
For years, the term “work-life balance” has been on everyone’s lips. The latest study from Universum, in
which over 5000 Swiss professionals were asked about their career goals and what they expect from
their employers, also proves that a good balance between private and professional life is the number
one long-term career goal for employees from all fields. In addition, professionals from all disciplines
want a challenging occupation. However, other aspects have a much greater influence on career
decisions, first and foremost financial ones.
Significance of financial aspects increases over the course of a career
A comparison with other studies from Universum shows that financial aspects become more important
as a career progresses. While Millennials seek a meaningful job and students choose an employer who
serves as a good reference for their future career, the deciding factor for professionals is an attractive
basic salary. Job changing also takes place for financial reasons: a better wage is the number one
motivation for professionals, whereby more importance is attached to financial aspects by computer
scientists than by employees with a background in business administration, natural sciences or
engineering. Also with regard to the corporate culture, performance-oriented remuneration is on top of
the wish list for computer scientists.
Stability and long-term attachment to an employer
When professionals change their job for reasons that are not financial, then it is in order to try out
something new – provided that they do not have to put up with taking a step backwards in their career
as a result. On the whole though, professionals are interested in long-term employer-employee
relationships. Although almost half of those surveyed want to change their job within the next two
years, over 50 percent have not applied for a different position in the past year. Furthermore, around
half of those surveyed expect to have just two to five different employers over the course of their
career. With regard to the most attractive employers, male professionals have different ideas to
females. For instance, no bank made it into the top 5 for female business administration professionals.
Top 5
1
2
3
4
5
Business
Administration
Men
Nestlé (=)
Google (=)
UBS (+3)
Richemont (+6)
Credit Suisse (=)
Business
Administration
Women
Nestlé (=)
Google (=)
L’Oréal (+1)
Swatch Group (–1)
LVMH (new)
Engineering
Men
Engineering
Women
Google (+2)
ABB (–1)
Siemens (+1)
Nestlé (+4)
CERN (=)
Google (+1)
Nestlé (+4)
SBB (+10)
Johnson & Johnson (+10)
CERN (–4)
Please find the full ranking at http://universumglobal.com/locations/switzerland.
We will gladly provide you with more information on the study, as well as infographics, upon request.
Mülhauserstrasse 50 | CH-4056 Basel, SWITZERLAND
www.universumglobal.com
UNIVERSUM – pioneer in employer branding
Universum is an independent consulting company and the global specialist in employer branding. For
over 25 years Universum has supported companies in strengthening their employer brand and attracting
and retaining the right people. Over 1,200 employers use Universum’s research, strategic consulting and
communication solutions. In 2014, Universum interviewed more than 700,000 students and young
professionals in 43 countries around the globe about their preferences for potential employers, their
career expectations and communication preferences.
Contact Universum:
Channa Mizrachi, Mülhauserstrasse 50, 4056 Basel
Tel. 061 385 55 03, Mobile: 079 203 09 96, [email protected]
Mülhauserstrasse 50 | CH-4056 Basel, SWITZERLAND
www.universumglobal.com