The Philippine edition of the Universum Talent Research 2023 survey was released last month. It showed that the Filipino Gen Z have three main preferences when looking for employers: training and development, a positive workplace environment, and high future earnings.
Employer branding research company Universum conducted the survey from November 2022 to March 2023, gathering responses from over 5,000 students across 103 universities nationwide. The survey findings were unsurprisingly in line with expectations as it revealed that young Filipinos who are preparing to enter the job market share the same concerns as the rest of the workforce, in that they are mainly worried about workplace conditions and salary.
The survey also revealed that remote work is highly sought after, as 82 percent of respondents said they are interested in remote work prospects. The respondents are also aware of the challenges associated with this type of setup, with 46 percent of respondents citing availability of a stable internet connection as a primary concern. This is followed by the potential effect on work-life balance (42%) and limited social interaction (42%).
As for salary expectations, the survey showed that the Filipino Gen Z are expecting a lower annual salary at Php374,403 (or Php31,200.25 per month), a 37-percent drop from last year’s annual salary expectation. The survey also showed that female respondents have salary expectations that are 10 percent lower than their male counterparts.
Other considerations prioritized by the Filipino Gen Z jobseekers are job security, employee respect, and the upholding of workplace ethics. They also want companies that offer opportunities to travel and work abroad and can be valuable points of reference for their future career.
Between working in a private company or at the public sector, 54 percent of the respondents preferred the former. At 79 percent, most respondents also said they prefer working at well-established companies. Merely 21 percent expressed a preference for startups. Furthermore, 69 percent said they favor working in urban cities, while 31 percent said they like working in small and medium towns. In terms of company size, 57 percent of respondents would choose large companies over small and medium-sized enterprises.
The surveyed students were also asked which companies are their ideal employers. Three companies emerged in common among students across STEM, business and commerce, and humanities and liberal arts courses as the most attractive employers: Google, Microsoft, and Philippine Airlines. The students said they also utilize Facebook, career websites, and the employers’ corporate websites to learn about their potential employers.