Though it may be hard to believe, there’s news in the recruitment web design industry that doesn’t mention the word, or fallout of, Brexit.

A recent survey by Debut found that 80% of younger jobseekers believe securing a position is harder for them today than it was for their parents. Chasing a role appears different for this generation, yet that’s not all that’s changed.

The benefits today’s jobseekers look for are not the health and wellbeing packages, gym memberships or subsidised lunches the previous generation expected and enjoyed, but the freedom to access social media, for example.

68% of those surveyed said that being able to use social media at work was one of the most important and desired privileges, matched only by an annual pay rise. Being disconnected from the world during working hours, when everyone else never switches off, is a concern to many candidates.

Though traditional benefits were expected by the majority of respondents, the survey revealed how far away these ‘extras’ were from what younger employees actually want.

A similar study by Cisco confirmed Debut’s findings, adding that the flexibility to use mobile devices at work was as strong a need as being on social media – a third even stated that social media freedom, mobile devices and flexible working were the benchmarks as to whether they accepted a job or not.

Sujai Hajela of Cisco said: "The findings provide real-life insight into how information is accessed by young professionals, and how business communications are changing as a result. In addition to the impact on business communications, the study provides proof that the next generation of employees and their technology demands will influence job decisions, hiring and a new age of work-life balance. How businesses address these demands will inevitably affect their competitive advantage and HR success. It is not just a technology trend anymore - it's a business trend.”

These findings come at a time when some companies have scaled back their benefits packages, some blaming this on the recent introduction of a higher minimum wage. Though scaling back may seem a backwards move, if a company’s idea of benefits is outdated and their privileges no longer desirable, this may not make much difference to the workers.

This generation may also have different commitments to those of their parents’ generation. Flexible working, so that an employee can care for elderly parents, was not a significant ask of employees decades ago, yet this is set to become a real concern for millennials. Flexibility could therefore prove the key driver in job acceptances, and something far more relevant to today’s workers than corporate gym membership; a perk that could go unused, simply because the employee’s other commitments don’t allow them the time to take advantage.

Remuneration is still the biggest factor for recruitment - but to attract top talent, companies may need to change their thinking, regarding any extra incentives they plan to offer. The needs and wants of today’s employees have moved on.