The Hindu Business Line : Flying in the face of change

For today's generation, the idiom that money makes the world go round appears to have lost some meaning. According to a recent study by Monster.com, the world's leading online career network, almost 32 per cent of people who apply for a job change online are looking for new challenges at work and not more pay.

The study has unfolded interesting insights into the changing priorities of jobseekers. It shows that professionally educated people prefer working for multinational companies for reasons that include the highly professional work culture, better growth opportunities and hopes of a foreign posting. Good salaries are at the bottom of the list. People prefer quality experience to more pay.

Over 14,000 people took part in the Monster Meter poll — a series of online surveys on various issues relating to careers. The survey also showed that 31 per cent wanted a better work-life; only 24 per cent wanted better paying jobs, while 12 per cent wanted to relocate.

Stimulating jobs

The increased rate of hiring during the last year should have led people to job hop in search of higher pay packets. But, in a surprising turn of events, people are hunting for more stimulating jobs instead.

Says Dhruv Shenoy, Vice-President - Marketing, Monster Asia, "Most jobseekers look for happiness and satisfaction in the work-area. Job security is no longer paramount because of a plethora of opportunities in the market. For them monetary benefits in a job have taken the backseat to experimentation and more challenging work."

He adds, "Gen Next is climbing the success ladder faster than the previous generation. One of the main reasons is the ubiquitous technology. Career goals are much better articulated by today's generation. Opportunities are plentiful and the quality of education, exposure and experience is much higher due to free flow of information and knowledge."

Bhuvan Gaurav, Head of Marketing (North), Tanishq, agrees. "It took me three years to reach where I am now but youngsters might do it faster as their attitudes are changing completely. They like to take risks in order to reach a certain level of satisfaction and once they reach where they want to, promotions and better salaries automatically follow."

Young CEOs

Experts feel people want to be CEOs by the time they hit 45 years and thus prefer a job that nudges them in that direction. They look for like-minded colleagues and a job that gives them decision-making power and space for personal growth.

Rahul Varma, India HR Director, Accenture, feels that not just individuals but even companies look for team players. "Our company, for example, offers global management consulting and technology services. It stresses on integrity, teamwork and respect for others as these traits are crucial for the growth of the individual and the company," he says.

Brotin Bannerjee had become Chief Operating Officer of Barista Coffee at 33. He says individuals expect clarity of role, reward and recognition for effort, and a clear path for growth, apart from adequate remuneration and a healthy work environment. "In this sense money is not as important as learning and focusing on the job at hand," he says.

Sonica Malhotra, Executive Director of Hotel Radisson MBD, Noida, agrees. "Youngsters today understand that money is secondary and unimportant. But I would also advise them to think differently. Alternate thinking at the workplace brings success faster and great salaries simply follow," she says.

Empowerment is key

However, she adds that satisfaction and success require excellent entrepreneurial skills. "It was my entrepreneurial skills that helped me create new branding and positioning ventures for Radisson MBD, and it's a quality I look for in all my employees," she says.

Sonica, who is in her early 30s, feels that along with proper career planning, the ability to explore new frontiers is a very useful qualification in an applicant. She also feels that job empowerment is the magic mantra.

Experts at Monster.com agree that delegating decision-making authority down to the lowest level makes people more responsible, resulting in higher productivity, greater satisfaction and less attrition even in a booming job market.

Picture by A. Roy Chowdhury

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