Recruiting trends: What do candidates really want?

The most important factor when considering a new role was work-life balance, according to research by Hays UK. The Salary and Recruiting Trends 2017 report surveyed 6,531 employers and 10,055 employees from across the UK. It analysed common trends in recruitment, highlighting the similarities and differences between what employers think and what candidates want.

What do employers think?

Employers believe that career development (26%) is the most important factor when trying to attract talent. This is followed by:

  • A benefits package (16%)
  • A challenging role (15%)
  • Work-life balance (13%)
  • Job security (12%)

“With a growing multi-generational workforce it is important that employers offer benefits packages that are tailored to encompass different generational groups.”

What do candidates want?

The research found that the top five reasons for an employee wanting to leave was their salary and/or benefits package (27%), lack of future opportunities (27%), the work itself (14%), location (11%), and concerns about job security (11%).

It is apparent that employers need to consider the benefits packages that they offer and in many cases, they aren’t currently doing so. The report looked at establishing priorities and understanding what candidates think is most important when considering a new role. The list of their priorities was as follows:

  • Work-life balance (24%)
  • Career development (22%)
  • Location (15%)
  • Job security (13%)
  • Challenging role (10%)

Generational differences

When this was broken down into generations, more than a quarter (29%) of baby boomer respondents stated work-life balance as the most important factor. 27% of generation X, 17% of generation Y, and 14% of generation Z said the same.

According to Employee Benefits, Barney Ely, director at Hays Human Resources, said: “The demographics of the workforce have changed; people are living longer and therefore exceeding what would have been the normal retirement age.

“Skills and capability irrespective of age should be the most important factor for any organisation when recruiting, which is why employers should seek to attract and retain the best people for the job across all generations.

“With a growing multi-generational workforce it is important that employers offer benefits packages that are tailored to encompass different generational groups. Those employers who are currently offering a combination of flexible benefits are best placed to suit the wants and needs of the entire workforce.”

For top tips on engagement or employee happiness, subscribe to our brand new magazine; WorkLife.

Click here and find out more about how DPG and Perkbox can help your organisation increase employee engagement

- Blog posted originally by Sonia Rach, editor and employee happiness evangelist at Perkbox.

The most important factor when considering a new role was work-life balance, according to research by Hays UK.

The Salary and Recruiting Trends 2017 report surveyed 6,531 employers and 10,055 employees from across the UK. It analysed common trends in recruitment, highlighting the similarities and differences between what employers think and what candidates want.

What do employers think?

Employers believe that career development (26%) is the most important factor when trying to attract talent. This is followed by:

  • A benefits package (16%)
  • A challenging role (15%)
  • Work-life balance (13%)
  • Job security (12%)

“With a growing multi-generational workforce it is important that employers offer benefits packages that are tailored to encompass different generational groups.”

recruiting trends

What do candidates want?

The research found that the top five reasons for an employee wanting to leave was their salary and/or benefits package (27%), lack of future opportunities (27%), the work itself (14%), location (11%), and concerns about job security (11%).

It is apparent that employers need to consider the benefits packages that they offer and in many cases, they aren’t currently doing so. The report looked at establishing priorities and understanding what candidates think is most important when considering a new role. The list of their priorities was as follows:

  • Work-life balance (24%)
  • Career development (22%)
  • Location (15%)
  • Job security (13%)
  • Challenging role (10%)

Generational differences

When this was broken down into generations, more than a quarter (29%) of baby boomer respondents stated work-life balance as the most important factor. 27% of generation X, 17% of generation Y, and 14% of generation Z said the same.

According to Employee Benefits, Barney Ely, director at Hays Human Resources, said: “The demographics of the workforce have changed; people are living longer and therefore exceeding what would have been the normal retirement age.

“Skills and capability irrespective of age should be the most important factor for any organisation when recruiting, which is why employers should seek to attract and retain the best people for the job across all generations.

“With a growing multi-generational workforce it is important that employers offer benefits packages that are tailored to encompass different generational groups. Those employers who are currently offering a combination of flexible benefits are best placed to suit the wants and needs of the entire workforce.”

For top tips on engagement or employee happiness, subscribe to our brand new magazine; WorkLife.

- By Sonia Rach, editor and employee happiness evangelist at Perkbox.

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