randstad workmonitor: experience more important than education in finding a suitable job.

81% of the repondents of the quarterly Randstad Workmonitor believe experience counts more than education in finding a new job. In China (92%), India and the UK (both 91%) this percentage is even higher. This is also the case for young people, but to a much lesser extent; 69% believe experience is more important than education for the younger employee. Exceptionsare Denmark and Norway where half of the employees are not convinced experience weighs over education. At the same time employees in again China (90%), Turkey (85%) and the UK (82%) underline the statement that for young people experience is of greater importance than education.

Finding a job: more difficult for the younger or the older? Or for both?

Almost two thirds of all respondents believe it is hard for young people (aged under 25) to find a suitable job. The extent to which employees agree with this statement correlates with the economic situation in their country; Greece ranked highest (91%), followed by Italy and Spain (both 89%) whereas Singapore (44%), Germany (50%) and Norway (51%) agreed the least.



For the older employee it seems even harder to find a job than for the younger; almost nine out of ten employees around the globe believe it is very difficult for this group to find a suitable job. This score is especially high in the Czech Republic (97%), Greece and Hungary (both 96%). Countries at the lower end but still reasonably high are Norway (76%) and India (79%).

Recruiting young and old

In Mexico (86%), the UK and France (both 84%) respondents are in favor of recruiting young people for their company. On a global level three out of four employees share that view. Only in Hungary this percentage is considerably lower (59%). At the same time, globally six out of ten respondents support the recruitment of the older employee, with again the UK (83%) and Mexico (79%) at the high end, followed by Singapore (74%) and the US (72%). This high number in the UK correlates with the high percentage of employees (91%) believing experience is more important than education. This opposed to Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary where only one third of the employees think recruiting older people is important for their company.

Temporary work a stepping stone, recruitment agency useful in finding a job

Almost 75% of the employees world-wide think temporary work can be a stepping stone to a permanent job, with Malaysia (89%), France and Poland (both 88%) at the higher end. Numbers were considerably lower in the Czech Republic (54%), Greece (56%) and Hungary (58%). In finding a job, almost eight out of ten employees would use a recruitment agency. It seems customary to use a recruitment agency, especially in Brazil (93%), Mexico (89%) and Spain( 87%). This is less common in Sweden (55%) and in Germany (56%).

Little belief in job security

World-wide belief in job security is low, with high numbers in countries where economic conditions are difficult like in Greece (94%), Hungary (93%) and Spain (91%). In Brazil (45%), Norway and Sweden (both 39%) employees do seem to feel there is such thing as job security.

Quarterly recurring items

Mobility Index decreases to 108

After having increased three quarters in a row, reaching 109 the first quarter of 2013, the rise of the Mobility Index stopped and decreased to 108, meaning fewer employees are expecting to have a different job within the next six months. Mobility has increased in Belgium, Greece and Australia and declined in Argentina, Chile, China, Slovakia and Switserland. 12% of the employees is actively looking for a new job which is 1% lower than in the previous quarter. The only country where people are more actively looking for another job is Italy (15% compared to 10% in the first quarter of 2013).

Employee confidence

The confidence of finding a job has been decreasing three quarters in a row now, both for finding a different job as well as a comparable job. Only in Poland the confidence of finding a comparable has risen, whereas the confidence of finding a different job increased only in Brazil and the US. The overall fear of job loss remains stable, but has increased in Belgium and Australia. Japan saw a significant decline of fear of job loss.

Job satisfaction

In Europe, employees in Denmark (82%) and Luxembourg (77%) are most satisfied and Hungarian (43%) and Greek (53%) employees are the least satisfied. Outside Europe, Mexico leads the way (82%), followed by India (81%), Malaysia and the US (both 75%). Japan had the smallest proportion of satisfied employees (34%)

Personal motivation

In Europe, Italian employees are most focused on getting a promotion while employees in Scandinavian countries are least focused. Outside Europe, Mexican and Indian employees continue having the strongest ambitions, while Japanese colleagues maintain their limited focus on promotion. Employees from both China and New Zealand are less focused on getting a promotion compared to the previous quarter.

The Randstad Workmonitor

The Randstad Workmonitor was launched in 2003, and now covers 32 countries around the world, encompassing Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. The Randstad Workmonitor is published four times a year, making both local and global trends in mobility regularly visible over time.



The Mobility Index, which tracks employee confidence and captures expectations surrounding the likelihood of changing employers within a six month time frame, provides a comprehensive understanding of job market sentiments and employee trends. In addition to measuring mobility, also employee satisfaction and personal motivation, as well as a rotating set of themed questions are part of the survey.



The quantitative study is conducted via an online questionnaire among a population aged 18-65, working a minimum of 24 hours a week in a paid job (not self-employed). The minimal sample size is 400 interviews per country, using Survey Sampling International. Research for the second wave in 2013 was conducted between April 18 and May 3, 2013.