Perks? Flexibility? What do candidates really want?

According to an article by Greg Lewis , Content Marketer on Linkedin, based on the 2023 Future of Recruiting report, recruiters are getting it wrong about what candidates want. So, let’s see how we are wrong:

1. Recruiters underestimate the importance of employee happiness. 28% of respondents say happiness is a top priority when considering a new job while only 15 % of recruiters think it is a top priority – Key takeaway – People want to work where they are happy. I don’t think recruiters underestimate this. It seems logical to me that people want to be happy at work. We spend most of our lives at work – happiness there is critical.

2. Recruiters overestimate the importance of flexible work arrangements (I am guilty of this one) – 43% of candidates say it is a top priority while 71% of us think it is. That’s a big gap – however, if you read on it is the #3 priority after compensation & work-life balance of most respondents. So maybe we are overestimating but it’s still a hot-button issue. And in fact, the report itself, states that the #1 fastest-growing priority YoY #1 is Flexible working arrangements.

3. 34% of candidates consider skill development to be a top priority whereas 60% of recruiters think it is career advancement. Lewis suggests, as I normally do, that we look at them as going hand in hand. The chance to learn new skills often comes with some type of advancement and can lead to even more advancement long term. However sometimes lateral moves are very important too because you can learn new skills, about new industries and working with new & different people always offers up life lessons.

Lewis’ advice to us is to showcase how employees at our clients feel happy – make the candidate feel they will be truly happy at company X versus company Y and so while “they might not remember all the details of your offer — but if you make them feel that they’ll truly be happy working at your company, that’s an impression they won’t soon forget.” I must disagree with this statement – I have never seen a candidate “willing to forget” the details of an offer because they felt happy during the interview process. Happiness counts and excitement at joining a great team goes a long way in enlisting great candidates, but so do the numbers, perks, and other benefits. They may be happy & excited to join your team but if your offer doesn’t meet their basic requirements they won’t “forget these details.”

According to the report itself, the top 5 priorities for candidates overall are:

1. Compensation

2. Work-life balance

3. Flexible working arrangements

4. Advancement

5. Skill development

So, what are recruiters missing? What are your top 5?

Lewis also writes: "Being straightforward and showing you truly care speaks to the most human aspects of being a great recruiter: connecting with candidates through empathy." This is how we always work- we want the best for both our clients and our candidate.