Europe’s Most Attractive Employers 2015

The results were compiled from the Universum Talent Surveys, conducted in Europe’s 12 largest economies during September 2014 to Feb 2015. University students were targeted in Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, Spain, Netherlands, Turkey, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, and Belgium.

Industry Highlights

Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Banks, and Professional Services are the most represented industries in the business ranking. Interestingly; FMCG has the highest number of employers dropping in ranks, contrary to Banking that has the highest number climbing in ranks. In the Engineering /IT category, FMCG is also the most represented group along with Engineering and Manufacturing; professional services follows close behind.

Desire for development and advancement is a deciding factor

The Millennials’ greatest fear is to be stuck in a career without development opportunities. Professional Services address this concern by providing business students development opportunities, professional training, challenging work, a clear path for advancement, and a good reference for a future career. With this strong offering, Professional Services are at the top of the business rankings (5 in the top 10).

We are delighted to be named Europe’s most attractive employer in professional services. At EY, our purpose is to build a better working world for our people, and part of this is to recruit and develop great talent who will work in high-performing teams. We embrace diversity in our recruitment process and listen to students to ensure we respond to their wishes from future employers. We believe employers who foster this kind of culture will remain attractive to future generations. Mark Otty, EY’s Managing Partner for Europe, Middle East, India and Africa

Top career goals across markets

Though work/life balance is at the top of the list of career goals when looking at the global average, there are big differences from market to market. For example, two out of three students in Spain choose work/life balance compared to less than one third in Turkey.

Following work/life balance, European students also choose “feeling secure and stable in my job”. Interestingly, for Turkish business students becoming a leader or manager of people features more prominently, followed by the opportunity to have an international career.

A similar picture emerges regarding Engineering/IT students, where work/life balance is one of the most important career goals overall. Nevertheless, students in Russia choose job security and in Turkey it’s entrepreneurial and creative challenges that are more highly valued.

What are the most attractive employer attributes for students in Europe?

Business students prefer professional training and development; challenging work; and opportunities for international travel/relocation. Also topping the lists are working in a creative and dynamic work environment; having leaders who will support my development and a friendly work environment.

Regarding Turkey, business students are looking for an employer who can provide a clear path for advancement, much more so than for students in other European countries. Furthermore, they look for leaders who will support their development. In Germany and Italy, performance recognition is more highly valued.

Among the things we’re seeing, top employers are the ones that have made professional development the top thing on their agendas, and offer a creative and dynamic work environment too. It’s crucial that these employers continue to communicate their offerings externally while ensuring they stand true to what they say. Claudia Tattanelli, Global Director, Universum

Innovation is one of the most highly regarded characteristics of an ideal employer for Engineering/IT students in Europe. The exception is for Russian students, where financial and market success take precedence. Engineering/IT students in Italy and the Netherlands value challenging work more highly, while Polish and German students are looking for secure employment.

The Top 10 Most Attractive Employers

Business students

1.Google

2.L'Oréal Group

3.Microsoft

4.EY (Ernst & Young)

5.PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)

6.McKinsey & Company

7.Unilever

8.KPMG

9.Nestlé

10.The Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Engineering / IT students

1.IBM

2.Siemens

3.BMW Group

4.Google

5.Microsoft

6.Airbus Group

7.GE

8.Nestlé

9.Bosch

10. Daimler/Mercedes-Benz

For the full list of Europe’s most attractive employers, trends and ranking, visit: http://universumglobal.com/europe2015/