Most people are expected to stay at a job for about four and a half years, and yet millennials have been labeled as job hoppers, for leaving jobs much sooner. A new survey conducted by job placement company, Express Employment Professionals, found that recent college graduates stay in their first jobs on average for 7 months to a year.
Express Employment Professionals asked owners of their franchises to participate in a survey. Of the franchises surveyed, 77 percent said they expect a recent graduate to stay less than a year in his or her first job.
Deb Grey, owner of Express Employment Professionals Pittsburgh West, said grads usually don’t leave because they’re not making enough money.
“Our experience is really more so [grads are] taking a job to get an opportunity, and not being fully committed in feeling that they’re not using their education,” said Grey, “so [grads try] to find an opportunity to use their education in a job that’s more closely related.”
Grey said often graduates aren’t sure of what type of job they would like after graduation, and this leads them to take a job quickly where they don’t use their education and find themselves unhappy.
There are quite a few ways to get workers to stay, according to Grey.
“Focus on a cultural fit for a candidate that would give them opportunity to use portions for their education, and helping employers to understand that candidates have a lot to offer, and that they might not have the exact skills, but have the aptitude to be a good fit for the organization if they’re willing to mentor and bring them along,” said Grey.
She also warned of grads that have the “grass is always greener" outlook. She says job hopping can damage your resume by leaving gaps, which show lack of commitment to a job.
“Bottom line, I think if we all work together employers and employees, and those who help people find jobs, or help people find good people; treat them as individuals and we’ll do a better job. Personalize it,” said Grey.
