The largest Talent Survey in Switzerland, conducted by Universum, is revealing the preferences and aspirations of Swiss students when it comes to their careers and their favorite employers. The 2024 survey has been carefully updated with the latest data from the Federal Statistical Office to ensure an accurate picture of the Swiss youth landscape. Some major shifts are at play, and not every company is equally attractive on campus to the future workforce they will engage with sooner or later.

Highlights:

• Banking sector rises, with UBS leading as the most attractive employer.

• Growing concerns over the widening wage gap, especially in business and STEM fields.

• IT professionals are increasingly prioritizing job security over embracing new technologies due to fears of AI disruptions and recent layoffs in major tech companies.

• Engineering opportunities flourishing, with companies like Hitachi and Richemont on the rise.

• Top choices for IT students expanding, with companies like Deloitte and Julius Baer showing impressive growth.

• Swiss students' remote work preferences shifted from three days to two days per week in our 2024 survey.
  

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The Rising Importance of Employer Branding 

Universum's findings highlight the critical role of effective and insights-guided employer branding and communication in attracting top talent. Companies that understand and align with the values and expectations of their future workforce—emphasizing aspects such as job security, development opportunities, and workplace culture—stand out in the competitive job market. The evidence in the research suggests that the greater proportion of businesses still have some work to do here.