Almost a Quarter of Russians See Their Careers as a Multi-Season Series

A new survey conducted by Avito.Work, Avito.Ads, and the online cinema Kion reveals how Russians perceive their professional lives—often through the lens of film and television genres.

According to the study, 22% of respondents compare their careers to a multi-season series, describing them as long, evolving stories with unexpected twists. Other popular formats include biographical films (17%), documentaries (16%), and superhero movies (14%). Smaller shares of respondents associate their careers with indie dramas (11%), startup comedies (10%), and sports dramas (10%).

The research also explored what themes people believe modern films about professions should highlight. The leading topic is teamwork and interpersonal relationships, selected by 40% of respondents. This is followed by the personal journey within a profession (31%), the impact of work on life outside of it (27%), and the cost of success and professional ambition (23%). One in five respondents (20%) also emphasized the importance of portraying career changes and overcoming challenges.

When asked about the most appealing “cinematic” career environments, respondents most frequently chose office settings (24%), followed by IT companies (18%) and manufacturing businesses (16%). Other notable environments include the investment sector (12%), sports teams (10%), small architecture studios (10%), and fashion magazine editorial offices (9%).
The study highlights notable differences in preferences between men and women. Among women, office environments lead by a significant margin (32%), followed by IT companies (18%) and fashion media (13%). Among men, manufacturing companies are the most attractive (23%), followed by IT (18%) and the investment sector (16%).

Finally, the survey examined what motivates people in their professional lives. The top factor is a strong team and engaging colleagues (21%), closely followed by opportunities for professional growth (20%). Other key motivators include achieving measurable results (16%), solving complex problems (13%), and the ability to combine creativity with business (13%).

The findings reflect a growing tendency to view careers not just as linear paths, but as dynamic narratives shaped by personal development, collaboration, and ambition.