One thing we know for sure is that the number of UK employers looking for employees with a second language has risen exponentially over the last couple of years. But that got us thinking – if the linguistic requirements of so many roles have shifted then what else about the nature of jobs for young workers has changed?

The UK labour market has transformed since the financial crisis, and even from year to year, there are significant shifts in labour market trends. For example, figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the number of self-employed has risen from 3.3 million people (12 percent of the labour force) in 2007 to 4.8 million (15.1 percent) in 2017.

But what other major changes are taking place in the labour market and what impact are they having on young people today?

A tough decade for young workers

The difficulty young workers have experienced over the last decade is typified by falling wages. Research has shown that since 2007, in real terms, the wages of all workers have fallen, but young workers have suffered more than any other group.

This is partially due to an increase in those working as cleaners, kitchen/bar staff, waiting staff and couriers, with the number of young workers employed in such occupations having risen by 11 percent since 2007.

Younger workers have lost ground

The UK’s labour market has been shaped by the financial crisis and young Brits have felt the effects. Compared with young workers (those aged 25-34) in 2007, today’s workers are more likely to be in lower-paid service jobs. To make matters worse, after adjusting for inflation, their pay fell between 2009 and 2014 and has stagnated since then.

Clearly that’s not a good start, but ever the optimists, today’s young workers have not been cowed by the challenges they’ve faced. Search data on the type of jobs younger candidates are looking for shows they are disproportionately applying for professional roles that offer good pay and opportunities for advancement.

What jobs do workers aged 25-34 do today?

We looked at the UK Labour Force Survey data for 2017 to see how the jobs young people do today have changed over the last decade. This is what we found:

• Relative to older workers, those aged 25-34 are now more likely to work in personal and customer service occupations, including as sales reps, waiters and carers.
• The biggest increase by job type for young workers over the last ten years has been in professional roles. After that, it’s care, leisure, sales and customer service roles that have seen the biggest gains.
• The number of young people who are self-employed has increased dramatically, with building and finishing trades and artistic, media and literary occupations the jobs most likely to be held.
• The number of young people working in professional occupations in the information and communication and finance and insurance sectors has fallen.

How can we help?

At Linguistica Recruitment, we have a diverse range of well-paid, rewarding vacancies for bilingual workers of all ages across the south of England.

Do you speak a second language? Then make your skills pay by taking a look at our current vacancies and submitting your CV today.

In an ideal world, companies would determine pay rises and salaries based on your true worth. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work like that. There will always be some discrepancies in pay that are just unfair.

For instance, it’s not unusual for someone who has been in a position for a number of years to earn less than an individual in the same role who has just been hired. That might be because the market has changed, the going rate for the position has increased or competition for those workers is high. Is that fair? In a word – no.

Equally, your employer might well be aware that they’re paying you under the odds, but rather than upping your salary, they prefer to boost their bottom line.

If you don’t ask, you don’t get!

So, what can you do? Well, in the UK we’re often reluctant to talk about money, but when it comes to pay, it’s usually the case that if you don’t ask, you don’t get. If you stand up for yourself, you might be surprised just how receptive your employer is.

Before asking for a meeting with your boss, you need to do some research to find out your true worth. There’s plenty of information online that can help you find the average salary for your job role in your location. The salary checkers at sites like Payscale and Totaljobs are a good place to start. It also pays to do a little sleuthing at your current workplace. If you find that a colleague in the same role with less experience and responsibility is earning more than you then it will make it a lot easier to argue your case.

Once you’ve armed yourself with as much supporting information as possible, then it’s time to ask for a meeting. People are often afraid to ask for more money, but the worst you’ll receive is a “no”. You won’t get fired or demoted simply for asking for a reasonable raise. In fact, there are plenty of bosses who will respect your self-confidence and ambition. And if they don’t value your skills then there are likely to be plenty of other employers who will.

How to improve your chances of getting a pay rise?

1. Demonstrate your ability to lead

Leadership skills are something we hear a lot about but few people actually have. Demonstrating your ability to motivate and inspire those around you is an extremely valuable skill.

2. Communicate clearly and often

Communication skills are critical in almost every role. Demonstrating good communication skills is not the same as talking a lot; far from it in fact. However, communicating clearly and effectively with superiors, team members and subordinates will certainly help.

3. How do you contribute to the bottom line?

Being a hard worker is certainly an excellent starting point when discussing a raise, but it’s also important to think about how the work you do impacts the bottom line. If you contribute directly to the profitability of the company then it’s easier to justify a pay rise.

4. Think about timing

If the company is going through a lean spell, your request for a pay rise could fall on deaf ears. You should also consider the relationship you have with the decision maker, both personally and professionally, and even their mood, as that is likely to affect their decision.

5. Gain the support of colleagues and mentors

Endorsements and recommendations can be a hugely important factor when asking for a pay rise. Having supervisors and peers that consistently praise your work can certainly sway the decision.

Not getting paid what you’re worth?

Talented bilingual workers are in short supply in the UK, which means your skills are worth more than you might think. At Linguistica Recruitment, we can help you find a role that pays you what you’re worth. Take a look at our current vacancies, send us your CV online or give us a call on 02392 987 765 to discuss your options.