Improving your recruitment : Understanding what it is that employees value most

A "one size for everyone" method to recruitment may have benefits when it comes to consistency, but these day's with all the changing attitudes and priorities towards work, a more malleable approach is needed.

A 2015 Salary Guide research by Reed Global shows that over 50% of British workers would choose an alternative career journey if given a chance to do it all again, and that their priorities regarding work shift as they move along their career path. As a result, it's essential to be aware of these shifting objectives in order to attract the more suitable candidates for your vacancies.

It turns out that the most important priorities for potential candidates when looking for a new job is salary and benefits, an increase to their work-life balance and improved levels of job satisfaction – but not necessarily in this particular order…

Salary and Benefits

According to Reed Global’s research, workers that were aged 18-24 along with those that were 45-54 chose salary and benefits as their top priority. All other age ranges polled did not put this at the top which reveals that it's not always the ultimate influential element  in the executive recruitment process. Workers that were in earlier phases of a career were more inclined to be looking for some financial security and safety, whilst those who were later in their career may have been more concerned with supporting a family or putting money away for retirement. Either way, the research reveals some important considerations. It shows that the notion of placing the correct level of significance on salary and benefits in the overall rewards package can be essential in making the difference for people at different stages of their career – Reed have produced a separate article that looks at the significance of salary & benefits, it’s worth taking a look if you have a moment.

Job satisfaction

Job satisfaction scored as the most important priority for people (workers) who were aged 25-34 but also came joint first for those workers aged fifty five or over (55+). Where the simple attraction of more money might have faded after the early years of a career have passed, workers started to put more importance and value on enjoying the role they play at work, and its importance for workers of all ages shows that employers really have to think about how to communicate job satisfaction at their organisation. Reed have produced a great section of research devoted to this whole area so if you’re involved in the recruitment process where you work then take a look at how to attract relevant and potential candidates to your organisation in their article looking specifically at job satisfaction.

Work-life balance

The prominence of the work-life balance as an idea has been on the increase over the last few years, and in their research it was voted the primary and most important priority for workers who were aged 35-44. It also came joint first for those aged 55+. Contracting, part-time work and work from home have all increased significantly in the recruitment process, especially since the arrival of the recession. Employers really need to be conscious of the significance of a balanced lifestyle, especially  for a large proportion of workers in the UK.  Attitudes towards this whole area can really make a difference in whether or not talented candidates decide to remain with their employer, or choose to go and work somewhere that has a better lifestyle more suitable for them. Reed have also produced a separate article which has advice on how to promote your organisation as one that values employees' work-life balance.