Young people find jobs through direct job applications or their network

Work & training
Young people find jobs through direct job applications or their network

New figures published by Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, show that young people (aged between 15 and 34) mostly find their job through direct job applications to the employer (26 %) or through relatives, friends or acquaintances (24 %). Furthermore, 17 % found a job from advertisements and 10 % via a temporary employment agency or selection agency. 8 % were selected by the employer himself, 7 % found their job via their educational institution and 6 % via a public employment office such as the VDAB, Actiris, Forem or the ADG, or a local job centre.

These data come from the 2016 Labour Force Survey, a survey that is coordinated at European level.

How the job was found Percentage
direct job application 26
relatives, friends or acquaintances 24
advertisements 17
employment agency, recruitment or selection agency 10
the employer himself contacted them 8
educational institution 7
public employment office 6
other 1
Total 100

The method to find a job also depends on the characteristics of the young people and the sector where they are employed. According to their level of education, age, sex and the sector where they look for a job, some channels are more or less used.

This survey is being carried out with a Eurostat grant.

Co-funded by the European Union