Survey: Young people skip applying for summer jobs if ad is poor

A recent survey in Finland indicates that many young people are opting out of applying for summer jobs because the advertisements are unclear or lack essential information. The study, conducted by the Finnish Work Association, found that roughly one-third of respondents did not apply for summer positions due to vague descriptions of tasks and responsibilities.

Similarly, about one in three young people surveyed stated that the absence of salary information in job postings was a significant reason for their reluctance to apply. Jokke Eljala, research manager at the Finnish Work Association, suggests that employers may overlook the needs of inexperienced applicants when crafting job ads. He questioned whether companies that claim to be open to hiring young people without prior experience effectively communicate this in their advertisements.

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Even for someone experienced in the workforce, reading job ads can create the feeling that my experience isn't enough.

The survey, which involved 1,048 participants aged 16–26, also highlighted other reasons for not applying. These included advertisements that were too informal, contained numerous errors, emphasized excessive pressure or flexibility, or provided insufficient information about the employer. A significant concern for nearly 40% of respondents was the belief that their own experience was insufficient for the role, a perception that can be reinforced by poorly worded job postings. Eljala emphasized that summer jobs are crucial for young people entering the workforce and for building the future labor force, urging employers to review their application processes.

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If the advertised position can genuinely be managed with less or even zero experience, the job ad should be formulated in a way that makes this understandable.