What Exactly Are Candidates Looking for in Employers?
In the ever-evolving landscape of employment, job seekers are no longer solely focused on traditional perks like salary and benefits. Instead, they are seeking out employers who can offer them something more: a fulfilling, growth-oriented work environment that aligns with their values and aspirations. In a recent Glassdoor survey, 56% of respondents said company culture is more important than salary as it relates to job satisfaction.
At Velocity Resource Group, we understand the critical importance of finding the perfect fit between employers and job candidates. Our Client Management and Talent Acquisition Team work tirelessly every day to bridge this gap, ensuring that our clients are connected with the best-fit candidates who will drive their organizations forward.
In our pursuit of excellence in recruitment, we have gained valuable insights into what qualities job candidates seek the most in their prospective employers or roles. These insights gathered from our interactions with both clients and candidates, shed light on the evolving landscape of employment preferences.
So, what exactly are these qualities that job candidates seek the most in their prospective employers or roles?
Table of Contents
1. Challenges and Learning
The prospect of tackling new challenges and learning new skills excites job candidates. They are drawn to roles that offer intellectual stimulation and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Whether it’s mastering a new programming language, developing proficiency in data analysis tools, or gaining expertise in project management methodologies, candidates crave environments that foster continuous learning and skill enhancement.
How to: During interviews, employers can explicitly outline potential career progression paths within the organization. By discussing how employees have advanced from similar roles to more senior positions, candidates gain insight into the company’s commitment to fostering professional growth. Also, employers can enrich their website with testimonials from current employees who have benefited from mentorship programs or professional development opportunities. By sharing real-life experiences of career growth and skill enhancement, they provide tangible evidence of their commitment to investing in their employees’ futures.
2. Recognition and Visibility
Feeling “seen” by leadership is crucial for job satisfaction. Candidates seek employers who recognize their contributions and provide opportunities for advancement based on merit. Being acknowledged for their hard work and dedication boosts morale and motivation.
How to: Employers can implement programs such as “Employee of the Month” awards, peer-to-peer recognition platforms, or regular performance reviews that acknowledge and celebrate employees’ achievements and contributions. By highlighting these initiatives on their company website’s career page, potential candidates gain insight into the organization’s commitment to recognizing and valuing its employees. Additionally, showcasing success stories on LinkedIn of employees who have been recognized for their contributions can provide tangible evidence of the company’s culture of appreciation and visibility.
3. Impactful Work
Job seekers want to feel that their work makes a difference. They are attracted to roles where they can have a tangible impact, whether it’s on the company’s bottom line, the community, or the world at large. For example, candidates are drawn to employers who prioritize corporate social responsibility initiatives, such as sustainability efforts, community outreach programs, or partnerships with nonprofit organizations, allowing them to contribute to meaningful causes through their work.
How to: Employers can highlight these initiatives on their LinkedIn page through regular updates and posts showcasing their involvement in impactful projects. By sharing stories, photos, and testimonials from employees involved in these initiatives, employers demonstrate their commitment to making a positive difference in the world. This would help attract job seekers who are passionate about contributing to meaningful causes and want to align themselves with employers who share their values and goals.
4. Investment in Professional Development
Employers who prioritize the growth and development of their employees are highly sought after. Job candidates value companies that offer resources and support for their continuous learning and skill enhancement. This could include access to training programs, mentorship opportunities, or tuition reimbursement for further education. Beyond the typical onboarding process, you can provide specialized training programs tailored to their roles, industry certifications, workshops, or access to online learning platforms like Udemy or LinkedIn Learning. They also seek roles that offer a wider scope of responsibilities, allowing them to continuously develop their skills and expertise.
How to: Employers can showcase these opportunities on their company website’s career page, highlighting specific programs available for employees to enhance their skills and knowledge. Additionally, during interviews, employers can discuss clear paths for career progression within the organization. By outlining opportunities to move up the corporate ladder, take on leadership roles, or transition into different departments or functions, employers demonstrate their commitment to fostering professional growth and development. This transparent communication helps attract job seekers who are eager to invest in their careers and seek employers who support their continuous learning journey.
5. Positive and Inclusive Culture
A positive work culture that fosters inclusivity, diversity, and collaboration is essential for job seekers. They want to work in environments where they feel valued, respected, and supported by their colleagues and leadership. To align with these values, companies can foster a strong company culture through various initiatives, such as team-building activities, open communication channels, recognition programs, collaborative projects, and flexible scheduling options.
How to: Employers can highlight their positive and inclusive culture by showcasing team events, community involvement, and employee testimonials on their company website and social media platforms. Sharing photos and stories from team-building activities, volunteer events, and celebrations of diversity can provide insight into the company’s values and the sense of camaraderie among employees.
Explore our blog post on ‘9 Practices to Foster a Strong Company Culture‘ for valuable insights and strategies!
6. Work-Life Balance
In today’s fast-paced world, work-life balance is increasingly important to job seekers. They seek employers who offer flexibility in work schedules and understand the importance of maintaining a healthy equilibrium between work and personal life. Employers can offer flexible work arrangements such as remote work options, compressed workweeks, or flexible scheduling to accommodate employees’ personal needs and promote a healthy work-life balance.
How to:cDuring the hiring process, employers can discuss work-life balance policies and initiatives during interviews, emphasizing the company’s commitment to supporting employees’ personal well-being. Additionally, on the company website’s career page, employers can share testimonials from current employees who have benefited from these flexible work arrangements. By showcasing real-life experiences of employees successfully balancing work and personal life, employers provide tangible evidence of their commitment to supporting their employees’ well-being.
Bringing it All Together
In conclusion, job candidates are looking for more than just a paycheck – they want fulfilling, growth-oriented roles in environments that prioritize their development, recognize their contributions, and foster a positive work culture. Employers who can offer these qualities are more likely to attract and retain top talent in today’s competitive job market.
With over 22+ years of industry experience, we’ve gathered invaluable insights into candidate preferences and market trends. Serving clients across various industries and locations, we excel not only in filling open roles but also in delivering comprehensive market research. Should you encounter challenges in filling positions or require deeper market understanding, our expertise is at your disposal. Reach out, and let us guide you towards successful recruitment outcomes!
Explore our blog post ‘12 Steps to Ensure a Stellar Candidate Experience‘ to delve deeper into enhancing your recruitment process and fostering lasting connections with prospective employees.
Velocity Resource Group assists recruiters in the identification of qualified, available, and interested candidates. We source talent across multiple platforms, review resumes, screen candidates, and place them for you. We have over ten years of experience in attracting the best talent in the healthcare, hospitality, retail, technology, manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain sectors.
Call 813-586-1700 or email info@velocityresourcegroup.com to schedule a free demo.