It’s likely that this time a year ago, you were sat in an office starting to feel a bit nerve-y about Covid-19. March 13 became the date most of us left our offices and, 12 months later, we’re yet to return.
It’s no secret that the pandemic has changed the way we work. From more flexible hours to two-second commutes, it’s hard to consider going back to the way it once was.
In fact, a survey has found that two-thirds of young people in the UK and US said their career aspirations and work expectations have changed due to the pandemic.
Of the people who are reconsidering their career goals, 33% said they are now looking for a better work-life balance and 28% said they would like to achieve greater financial security.
The survey, published by Liberty Communications and Opinium, also found that Gen Z are finding it harder and harder to pursue their ‘dream job’.
Of those surveyed, just 52% said they were scaling the career ladder that they wanted to be on while 39% didn’t think they would ever achieve their ideal career.
Young people have also found it difficult to find jobs during the pandemic, with 96% of respondents reporting that they had faced obstacles in gaining employment over the past year.
Nearly half (42%) of the participants surveyed in the UK said the number of people applying to each role was the issue while 31% blamed virtual interviews, stating these failed to help form a connection with a potential employer.
“It’s clear that more and more young people in both countries are entering the workplace not only with altered priorities, but also with an increased uncertainty that they are in the right role,” Elena Davidson, CEO of Liberty Communications, said in a statement.
James Endersbury of Opinium added that the pandemic has “drastically changed the landscape” for young people in both the UK and US.
He added: “As such, we would advise employers that they need to adapt their recruitment strategies to ensure they remain attractive to this next generation of talent.”