How can you separate good (and great) employers from the ones that are just okay – especially as a young jobseeker? These 10 tips will guide you.
Landing an interview or being offered a job is very exciting. But not all employers are good employers, and it can be hard to separate the good from the bad (and the great from the just okay).
With so many factors to consider, how do you know if you should take a job with a specific company as a young person?
Here are ten signs of a good quality employer for young people and how to spot them.
Good Youth Friendly Employers have a careers section dedicated to young people
More and more companies are creating sections on their careers sites dedicated to young people. Whether they offer apprenticeships, graduate training programmes, or explicitly invite young people to apply and offer tips on how to create a strong application, this is a strong sign that you’re dealing with a youth-positive employer.
Good employers use inclusive language
Inclusive language matters. It shows that the company truly lives the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion and makes space for a wide range of people to excel.
Here are a few examples of inclusive language:
- They use non-gendered terms, such as saying “everyone” instead of “you guys”.
- They avoid idioms and colloquialisms which may be confusing to people whose first language is not English.
- They describe people as they describe themselves. It is advised for example that deaf, disabled and autistic people on the whole prefer identity-first language (e.g. “disabled person” not “person with a disability”. People living with mental health disorders like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder tend to prefer person-first language (e.g. “person with anxiety” not “anxious person”. But this may not always apply. Thoughtful employers will recognise that personal preferences are important and also that language constantly evolves, and it’s vital to constantly monitor their use of language in a way that continues to speak to the people they are addressing with care and respect. You can read more on the topic here and here.
These things are small changes, but they really do matter. When an employer values inclusivity, it signals that the company is a safe and welcoming place for people from all backgrounds to work.
The best employers offer training and professional development plans
Will you be able to continue learning once you’ve landed the job? Will there be opportunities to take training courses, attend professional development events, and enhance your skills to help you drive your career forward?
Good employers will be upfront about their training and development offering. If you don’t see anything on their website, ask about it in your interview. If they do not have a good answer, you might find that this job will be limited in terms of the development opportunities it offers.
Good employers pay at least the minimum wage (ideally more)
It’s a legal requirement to pay at least the national minimum wage in the UK. Unfortunately, many employers still try to get away with flouting this law. If your prospective employer offers you less than the national minimum wage for your age group, run!
More and more quality employers are now committing to paying the living wage, a higher rate based on actual living costs. If your employer has a living wage pledge or offers you at least this amount, that’s a great sign.
The best employers help you progress and move on up in the organisation
Do people typically stay with the organisation for just a couple of years before moving on, or does the employer promote from within and encourage progression inside the organisation? Strong opportunities for internal progression points to a quality employer that values its people and invests in them over the long term.
There are two main ways to get a sense of this: first, you can look up current senior team members on the company website or LinkedIn. How many of them started in a more junior role and have risen through the ranks in the company? Second, you can ask about progression opportunities towards the end of your interview.
Look for great employers with a mentoring programme or similar support structure
Mentoring programmes pair junior employees with those who are more senior, giving you the opportunity to learn from a more experienced person in the company.
If your new workplace has a mentoring programme or another structured support system, that suggests it will be a place where you can grow, learn, and develop as a person and an employee.
Good employers show that they value you
An employment relationship is a two-way street and it’s important that you feel valued by your employer. Does the company use messaging that makes it clear they value what you have to offer as a young person? Do they show that they value the skills, ideas, and attributes that young people bring to the table?
When you feel valued, you’ll do your best work. And when a company values you, they will go out of their way to treat you well.
Good quality employers have a simple and well-thought-out application process
The days of paper application forms are (mostly) behind us. Nowadays, most employers take applications online. This might be through a dedicated applicant portal, or by accepting CVs and cover letters via email.
The application process should be intuitive, user-friendly, and well-thought-out. Difficult, counterintuitive, or otherwise unfriendly application systems can be a sign that there will be bigger problems once you’re working for the company.
The very best employers can see and value your potential
Many young people struggle to find their first jobs because many employers place such an emphasis on years of experience. This can make it hard to break into a field or get a foot in the door with a company.
Youth-friendly employers tend to place a lot of value on potential. This means they are able to see past just qualifications and experience, and hire based on the qualities they see in individuals that can be nurtured on the job.
They hold the Good Youth Employment Standards Badge
Our Youth Friendly Employers put young people at the heart of what they do. Holding the Good Youth Employment Standards Badge, a seal of approval given by us at Youth Employment UK, shows that they’re great places for young people to work.
