We’ve recently asked jobseekers using reed.co.uk to tell us about their top three priorities when looking for a job.
Whilst perhaps unsurprisingly the most popular selections were “money” (60% rated it among their top three), “personal interest” (50%) and “progression prospects” (47%), our survey revealed some interesting results lower down the scale.
As few as 8% of respondents identified “employer brand” as one of the three most important factors for them when seeking a new job. Given the amount of money spent by companies to raise awareness about their brands and to be seen as employers of choice, perhaps they'd be better off diverting more of these funds towards paying higher salaries if they want to secure the best talent?
Ethical considerations, such as whether a company is Carbon Neutral or makes charitable donations, appear to be of little importance to jobseekers: only 21% of respondents considered “working for an ethical or socially responsible company” as one of their top three priorities when looking for their next job.
Similarly, work life balance, another topical feature of apparently progressive employers, seems to be low down the list of priorities for most. Only 17% selected “flexible working” as being a top three priority.
The bottom line appears to be that jobseekers will, at heart, respond more readily to the basic temptations of more money and personal interest than anything else that a company may offer or represent.
If you have any thoughts on these findings then please feel free to post a comment below.
