Many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds still believe that a culture of ‘not what you know, but who you know’ is a barrier to progression and social mobility, according to new research from BDO.
A third of young people from a lower social-economic backgrounds (SEB) say a lack of connections or ‘professional network’ could have a negative impact when applying for jobs.
Almost a third (31%) also believe that you may be less successful in a job application or interview if the employer or hiring manager has a different background to you.
Differences between the employer and employee’s background are also considered to be a barrier when it comes to career progression and reaching more senior positions.
Almost a third (30%) of those from a lower SEB believe job progression and promotions could be negatively impacted if the person you work for has a different background to you, for example went to a different type of school or were raised in a different area. This compares with less than a quarter (23%) of those from other backgrounds who believe the same.
