Jasmine Juokslahti, Talent Advisory Specialist, Academic Work
According to Academic Work’s YPAI 2025 study, nearly a third of Finnish early career professionals consider job security and company stability a decisive factor in choosing an employer. This figure has remained high for two years already.
The YPAI study confirms what I see in my work every day: young experts make increasingly considered employer choices, and stability carries more weight than the company's industry, workplace location, or even company values.
Early career professionals have navigated their studies and practically their entire working life so far in unprecedented turbulence. It is tough. And it shows.
Therefore, it is extremely understandable that constant changes and economic concerns have suppressed job shopping and raised the value of permanent, long-term employment relationships among even younger experts.
Open responses in the YPAI study reveal that fear of dismissals and layoffs is one of the biggest reasons to not apply to an otherwise interesting company. A reputation as a stressful or uncertain workplace spreads quickly and can affect the number of applicants.
Stability is not old-fashioned, but a highly topical competitive advantage.
Young people do their background research and check company financial figures. Solvency, long employee careers, and responsible operations build trust.
As an employer, communicate openly about how you offer long-term commitment, clarity, and trust. Talk about strengths, emphasize long careers, and make different career paths visible. In these times, they are stronger currency than any ping-pong table gathering dust in the corner of the office.
And to all of you wondering if early career professionals really have the luxury of choosing their employers, I throw a counter-ball: can your company afford to ignore an entire generation entering working life when expertise is retiring at a record pace and the economy shows signs of picking up?
Jasmine Juokslahti is Academic Work’s Talent Advisory Specialist, who has helped employers attract and engage early career professionals for 17 years. She knows the wishes and expectations of future employees – and helps companies turn them into a competitive advantage.