The Top Five Motives That Make Job Seekers More Likely to Apply
What are the factors that job seekers are looking for in their next job?
You would probably have an idea — better benefits, a better salary and job title, more work/life balance, or more opportunities — and if got any of those accurately, you are probably right.
A new clearly defined survey conducted by Glassdoor recruiting website shows very specific results regarding the Top Five Workplace Motives Job Seekers Look for While Searching for Job.
No Surprise: 67 Percent of Job Seekers Say Salary Is Their Top Motive
Glassdoor issued a press release discussing the results of the survey. It is not a surprise what the top two factors are as they state:
“Spoiler alert, salary is the №1 key piece of info 67 percent of workers and job seekers say they look for in a job ad, followed closely by 63 percent saying benefits and perks most catch their attention. These breakouts also differ between men and women — women prioritize flexible work hours and office location more than men when deciding to apply to a job.”
What is even more remarkable is that they broke down those motives to the Top 5 factors that job seekers search for in a job ad, and the top factors that make job seekers more likely to apply. Following is the breakdown:
Top Factors Job Seekers Look For in Job Ads
1. Salaries — 67 percent
2. Benefits — 63 percent
3. Job Location — 59 percent
4. Commute time — 43 percent
5. Employee reviews — 32 percent
Top Factors That Make Job Seekers More Likely to Apply
1. Attractive benefits, and perks — 48 percent
2. Convenient, easy commute — 47 percent
3. High salaries — 46 percent
4. Good work/life balance — 43 percent
5. Work from home flexibility — 41 percent
It is interesting to note that the second list of Top Factors That Make Job Seekers More Likely to Apply shows that what derives a candidate to actually consider the job application gives an understanding on what people consider important when taking decisions related to finding a job.
Gender Differences
Gender has an effect on job seeker’s preferences when it comes to the factors. Glassdoor results states the following:
“Just as it’s important for those in HR and recruitment to understand what information is important to job seekers and how job seekers are making decisions about a company, they must also consider how audiences may differ in how they research jobs and what is important to them.”
There are different areas where males and females differ. For instance, 35 percent of male workers/job seekers tend to prefer having the flexibility to work from home. Whereas 49 percent of female workers/job seekers say that working from home would make them more likely to apply for a job.
Gender differences in reasons to apply for a job significantly in the survey results. This reflects back on the different values that females and males carry to the workplace. Of course, different preferences means different values.
Transparency on Pay
Furthermore, it is also very clear that job seekers are hunger for transparency with regards to their salaries. Three of the five motives in the second list are fostered around life quality issues. This gives an in depth insight regarding the applicant mind.
Glassdoor survey shows that around 44 percent of employees and job seekers asses their potential long-term relationship with an employer based on the firm’s transparency on pay and benefits. In fact, it is one of the key factors to make them apply for a job.
However, 37 percent reported that their potential long-term relationship is identified with the company’s track record for promoting.
In addition, more than 39 percent of workers/job seekers say that an explanation from employers regarding growing opportunities within the company embodies their potential long-term career relationship.
Julie Coucoules — Glassdoor global head of talent acquisition — said in a press release about the survey:
“Job seekers crave transparency on pay, not only to make an initial judgement about whether to consider applying for a job, but also to assess if an employer holds long-term potential for them,”
She added:
“Quality candidates are typically well-researched and go beyond job ads and look for a richer set of background data that includes benefits and employee reviews, among other specific traits about an employer. This means that employers should make information available to job candidates proactively, or they risk missing out on quality candidates applying.”
It is always beneficial to dig into surveys such as this one as it will give an insight that changes your perspective regarding such issues.
Glassdoor’s online survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Glassdoor in May 2018 among over 1,151 U.S. adults ages 18+ who are employed full-time/part-time/self-employed, or not employed but looking for work.