What Does a Young Person Actually Want From Their First Employer?

It's not just about what you need from them

When you're hiring someone at the beginning of their career, it's easy to focus on what you need from them: reliability, enthusiasm, skills, a willingness to learn. But what does the young person need from you?

Their first employer can have a huge influence on how they see work, their confidence and the direction their career takes. Most young people aren't expecting everything to be perfect, they just want to have a fair opportunity to learn, contribute and develop.

Here are six things that can make a real difference.

1. Training

A young employee isn't going to know everything on day one, and that's not a weakness. They're just starting their career. They won't have the knowledge and understanding of people who have been in the workforce for years.

Young people will want to know what they're going to be able to learn. Good training gives them the knowledge and confidence they need to do their job properly. That might mean formal training, learning from experienced colleagues, online courses, professional qualifications or simply having someone show them how things work.

2. Mentoring

Starting your first job can be overwhelming. There are workplace processes, terminology, meetings, emails and expectations that experienced employees might take for granted. Having someone they can turn to can make a huge difference.

A mentor or workplace buddy doesn't need to have all the answers, but just being able to be the person a young employee can comfortably approach with a question will make things easier for them.

3. Clear expectations

Young employees shouldn't have to guess what good performance looks like.

Be clear about:

• Their responsibilities
• Working hours
• Deadlines
• Communication
• Workplace expectations
• What they should prioritise

Don't assume they know how your organisation works

If something matters, explain it. Clear expectations make it much easier for someone to succeed.

4. Progression

A young person doesn't necessarily expect to be promoted within six months, but they do want to know that there's somewhere to go.

That could mean:

• Taking on more responsibility
• Developing specialist skills
• Gaining qualifications
• Moving into another role
• Progressing within the organisation

You don't need to promise a specific career path

You don't need to promise a specific career path, but it's helpful for them to know that development is possible.

5. Fair pay

This one shouldn't need explaining. Young employees have bills, travel costs and responsibilities too. Be clear about salary and working hours from the beginning. If the role includes bonuses, benefits or pro rata arrangements, explain them properly.

6. Support

Perhaps the biggest thing a young person wants from their first employer is to know that they're not expected to figure everything out alone.

They're going to:

• Make mistakes
• Ask questions
• Need feedback

A supportive employer makes the difference

A supportive employer is going to help someone understand expectations and give them the tools to meet them.

A young person's first experience of work can influence their confidence for years. It can teach them what good management looks like, show them that asking questions is okay, and help them discover what they're good at.