What do Today’s Job Seekers Look for in an Employer?

Since the onset of the pandemic, the way job seekers think about work and life, in general, has changed. Moreover, today’s job seekers live in an era of extraordinary accessibility, with complete information on practically every organization at their fingertips.

According to studies, instead of relying on what candidates hear from a friend of a friend who used to work for you, job seekers can apply for job online by conducting a quick internet search and learn everything they need to know about your company, from the salaries and benefits you offer to how you treat employees and your future plans. Job searchers are relying on these resources, which offers them unparalleled influence.

Fortunately, since you know this research is occurring, you can take steps to make sure your story is told in a way that will attract the most talented and productive potential employees. Another option that you can leverage is to make it easy for them to find the information they need so they don’t feel like you’re wasting their time.

Informed applicants are aware of this and use it to their advantage. That’s why, when looking for a job, individuals use websites to analyze various criteria. Such applicants are also the best ones. That’s because they take the time to learn about your company and comprehend the role before applying. This in turn makes the hiring process smoother, faster, and less expensive for you.

In this article, you’ll learn what today’s job seekers actually want in their new professional homes, as well as what you can do to differentiate yourself, match expectations, and attract and hire competent individuals.

1. Company image

This is a basic and essential requirement for practically every job seeker looking to find the right fit. Indeed, in a survey of 500 U.S. workers, 95% of workers stated knowing a company’s reputation would be crucial if they were considering a new job opportunity.

An online employment site is favored by around half of employees for discovering a relevant new job opportunity.

candidates also refer to the following sources to extract reliable company information:

• Review websites
• Word of mouth
• Company website
• Personal networking

2. Flexibility

Flexibility in working hours is an effective strategy for attracting and retaining top personnel. A flexible schedule enables employees to work outside of typical hours, when it is most convenient for them or when they believe they are most productive.

Employee productivity often improves when they are not plagued by rush hour traffic or compelled to work at times of day when they are less productive.

Many employees struggle to balance the responsibilities of their jobs with time for family, friends, interests, and self-care. This frequently leads to increased stress and puts employees at risk of burnout.

3. Work Environment

Culture is more than a catchphrase. Potential candidates want to know if they will fit in with your firm and its ideals.

While you want to show why your company is a fantastic place to work, you must also present an honest picture of what it is like to work there so that you can hire workers who are a good fit. You can accomplish this by displaying behind-the-scenes glimpses into office life and the team, or by offering information on your website.

Moreover, the phrases you choose in your job descriptions to convey corporate culture reflect how a candidate perceives your firm’s culture before they ever walk in the door. And knowing how to best define your company culture may just push your job posting over the top for a prospective candidate.

4. Perks & Benefits

When contemplating a job offer, candidates want to tick off as many boxes as possible. They want to know that the company they’re applying to cares about their well-being.

The following are the most popular employee benefits:

• Affordable Health Insurance
• Retirement Saving Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Time-Off
• Life Insurance
• Company Equity

Employees are more attracted to work perks that make their lives easier. As previously noted, flexible work hours allow employees to work when it best fits their schedule rather than having to come into an office every day.

Other perks include,

• Employee Rewards/Bonuses
• Career Development Training
• Mental Health Services

5. Job Security

Today’s job seekers are more likely to request job security assurances. Because it is a human tendency to be afraid of the unknown, employers should be open about their financial situation, long-term sustainability outlook, and readiness to withstand the effects of the pandemic.

Being open and honest with job seekers might set you apart from the crowd. Early on, you can cultivate trusting relationships. 

And sharing this information with employees can help to assuage their concerns, which can boost productivity, operational efficiency, and staff retention.

6. Top Management 

Job seekers are also highly interested in knowing who your leaders are and what management principles they adhere to. Different leadership styles suit different personalities. Hence candidates often try to extract information about the company leaders through their website or existing employees to better understand their working style and beliefs.

7. Your Clients

Lastly, if you have significant clients and aren’t constrained by legal or informal confidentiality agreements, it’s a great idea to let people know what kinds of companies you work with and the number of industries you serve. This may increase your reputation in the eyes of job seekers while also providing them with further information about your culture.

At Relig Staffing, work as a family and for us, work is our religion. The culture promotes creativity, personal growth, and leadership. One of our strongest cultural elements is internal promotions and fresher hiring to encourage new ideas and perspectives while also retaining them for the long run. Relig Staffing motto is straightforward-hire-train-retain!

We hope that by following the above suggestions, you make sure your story is told in a way that helps you find employees who will fit well with your business, and, hopefully, build long, productive, and happy careers with you.