Generation Z Prioritizes Growth Potential Over Stability… Prefers Private Sector Over Public Sector

Generation Z job seekers have shown a preference for private companies over public service jobs when salaries are the same.

According to a survey conducted on 2,074 Generation Z job seekers by the leading recruitment platform Catch on the 6th, 53% chose 'private companies' over 'public service jobs (47%)' when the salary is set at 3 million won.

Notably, only 10% of the respondents are currently preparing for public service exams among Generation Z.

69% of the respondents said they have 'no intention to prepare for public service exams,' while only 16% expressed that they were willing to prepare for it in the future.

Including those who previously prepared but now have no intention (5%), the proportion of those who do not seriously consider public service jobs reached 74%.

The proportion of those who do not seriously consider public service jobs reached 74%.

Main Reason for Avoiding Public Service: 'Low Salary'

The main reason Generation Z does not aspire to be civil servants is cited as 'low salary (42%)'. This was followed by 'mismatch with personal interests (20%)' and 'limited growth potential (10%)'.

Additionally, the responses included △rigid organizational culture (9%) △long exam preparation period (7%) △uncertainty of passing (6%) △concern about career stagnation (4%) in that order.

In contrast, the reasons for wanting to become a civil servant included 'job security (49%)', which was overwhelmingly high, followed by 'guaranteed retirement (17%)' and 'work-life balance (12%)'.

Other reasons included △welfare system (7%) △alignment with personal interests (7%) △less competition (3%) △salary (2%) △recommendation from acquaintances (2%).

Expectation for salary in public service jobs tended to be higher than the current salary levels.

For the standard 9th-grade civil servant salary, which is currently set at 2.69 million won, many responded that they would consider applying if it were '3 million won' (26%) or 'over 5 million won' (25%). This was followed by '3.5 million won (22%)', '4 million won (21%)', and '4.5 million won (8%)'.

Generation Z Values Salary and Growth Potential Over Stability

In a similar survey conducted last year by JinHakSa Catch, 78% of Generation Z respondents stated they do not prefer public service jobs. At that time, 'low salary' and 'job mismatch' were the main reasons, with a hoped-for salary of 50 million won being the most frequently chosen.

Kim Jung-hyun, head of JinHakSa Catch, stated, "Unlike previous generations, Generation Z values salary and career advancement over mere stability," adding, "In this trend, the public sector is also attempting reforms such as increasing civil servant salaries."

Image source: Reference material for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank, Catch