Survey pinpoints characteristics that attract job-seekers

RP news wires, Noria Corporation
Employers that offer interesting work, regular recognition and rewards, and opportunities for quick advancement are the most popular targets for job seekers, according to the findings of a global recruitment survey released August 28 by Accenture.

Another key finding: Job seekers don't place as much value on such increasingly popular programs as corporate citizenship and diversity as they do on traditional benefits such as robust rewards programs and personal growth opportunities.

The purpose of the survey, which queried more than 4,100 job-seekers in 21 countries in North and South America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region, was to identify the most-valued career goals of both entry-level and experienced job seekers.

The findings indicate that challenging and interesting work is the most important characteristic that job seekers look for in prospective employers, selected by 60 percent of all respondents. The potential for recognition and reward for their accomplishments was a close second selected by 58 percent of respondents.

Rounding out the top five characteristics of greatest interest to job-seekers were: opportunities for fast career growth (44 percent); indications that the employer is well-established and is likely to have long-term prosperity (42 percent); and indications that a company has a particular focus on its people (42 percent).

"Interestingly, we found that what is considered important to potential recruits was remarkably consistent across geographies," said John Campagnino, Accenture's global director of recruitment. "Also notable was the fact that while we know from our own employees that corporate social responsibility and diversity are important employer characteristics - things our employees demand and place high value in - the research also validated what many of us intuitively know: namely, that more tangible benefits such as rewards and recognition are most important from an external recruit's perspective."

  Key survey findings:

           Employer Characteristic             % of Respondents Selecting
          Priorities of Job Seekers         Employer Characteristic Priority

  1.  Challenging and interesting work                      60%
  2.  Recognizes and rewards
      accomplishments                                       58%
  3.  Provides an opportunity for fast
      career growth and advancement                         44%
  4.  Financially strong/will prosper
      in the long run                                       42%
  5.  People-oriented                                       42%
  6.  Offers flexible work arrangements                     41%
  7.  Innovative                                            33%
  8.  Approachable                                          27%
  9.  Team-oriented environment                             27%
  10. Global company                                        26%
  11. Offers a variety of work                              26%
  12. Smart                                                 21%
  13. Collaborative environment                             17%
  14. Committed to the community/corporate
      citizenship                                           16%
  15. Diverse workforce                                     16%
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