What do jobseekers actually want?

We get it, hiring is ever evolving. The recruitment market changes rapidly and it’s difficult to keep up to date with what jobseekers want from their future employer.

That’s where we come in. We speak to jobseekers every single day, so we thought we’d give you the inside scoop on what jobseekers are actually looking for in their next role…

Career progression

More and more people want to work for employers who positively uplift and encourage them to progress in their careers. We recently carried out a poll on LinkedIn asking our followers: ‘What’s most important to you when searching for a new role?’ and over half of respondents voted for career progression.

According to Zavvy, employees who feel as though they are progressing in their careers are 20% more likely to stay with their company over time. Want to be an employer of choice whilst retaining the talent you currently have? It’s simple, shout about the career progression paths that you offer!

Workplace flexibility

If you want the best suited people working for you, and working for you happily, grasping the needs of flexible working is critical.

Everyone wants to feel valued, right? Workplace flexibility highlights how much you value your employee’s well-being. Whether that’s being able to step out of the office for a few hours for the school pick-up or offering work-from-home opportunities.

Demand for flexible working is rising. This year 8.7 million full-time workers say they want to work flexibly, according to Equality Human Rights. To echo that point, in a recent salary survey we carried out, over half of respondents stated they would turn down a job offer if it didn’t offer a minimum of one day per week remote working.

The stats really do speak for themselves.

Cultural fit

Have you come across the term “cultural fit” when it comes to hiring? It’s all about finding employees who share the same values, beliefs, and behaviours as you and your company. Having the right employee fit is vital for a company’s overall success. And finding the right company for a jobseeker is equally as important in order to thrive. No one wants to hate going to work every day, right?

According to OnHires, 84% of recruiters state that cultural fit is now becoming one of the key factors when recruiting. More and more candidates are looking for roles that they see themselves in long term and want to work for a business whose values align with their own.

The best way to showcase your company’s culture is through your employer brand. Consciously decide what you want the culture of your organisation to be, take action, and ensure that culture becomes your genuine employment narrative. Take charge of showcasing this culture and the values your employees can expect across all your platforms, from social media to your website, as well as your job descriptions. According to LinkedIn, 75% of job seekers consider an employer’s brand before even applying for a job. So, don’t forget the importance of shouting about yours.

Work-life balance

The definition of work-life balance has changed dramatically throughout the years, with the passing of strict 9-5 hours and an increase in remote work.

We know that flexible schedules are a major part of how workers define work-life balance. Increasingly, employees say the idea includes a healthy work environment that allows for an open dialogue between employees and employers. Enabling employees to feel confident talking about their personal lives in the context of their careers, to create the life they want.

So much so, that research from Reed reveals over half of Brits (53%) would prioritise a company with a great work-life balance over location. But it’s important to note that work-life balance is broader and deeper than walking away at 17:00, it’s no longer a one-size-fits-all all.

At Konker we’re here to assist you in finding the perfect match for your company. If you feel that you’d like some further support or even a chat around the above points, get in touch with us today – we’d love to chat!