Being a recruiter in the current career climate with lots of remote job opportunities for job-seekers is tough.
Finding the best talent while looking attractive to prospective employees can be overwhelming with the fierce rivalry among businesses. One key to attracting the best talent is having access to job search statistics.
Some job search statistics say 30% of the global workforce is actively searching for jobs, while the remaining 70% is passive. Online platforms are the top source of searching for job leads. Compensation, career development, and a good life/work balance are the most important incentives to offer.
This article will give you useful statistics regarding job searches and why they’re essential for employers.
Table of Contents
- Employment Statistics
- Informative Job Search Statistics
- Most Demanded Skills by Recruiters
- Job Seeker Expectations
- Most Demanded Jobs by Young Applicants
- Where Job Seekers Find Employers
- Most Popular Lead Sources for Recruiters
- What Do Job Seekers Look for in Job Ads?
- Candidate Experience
- Final Thoughts
Employment Statistics
The employment scene took a major hit after the pandemic, leading to 20.6 million jobs lost. But according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate decreased to 6% in March 2021, down from 15% in 2020.
These changes come from resumed economic activity after early signs that the pandemic has been controlled.
The rise in remote jobs seems to be slowing down after businesses have started to reopen. In February 2021, 22.7% of employees worked from home because of the pandemic, but this number edged down to 21% in the next month.
Informative Job Search Statistics
According to LinkedIn, only 30% of the global workforce is actively looking for jobs, and the rest is passive about this task. But of this 70% passive workforce, 87% is open to finding better job opportunities. What makes them accept a new job position is an opportunity to go up the corporate ladder.
And what makes a candidate accept a position is payment and compensation (49%), a chance to achieve professional development (33%), and improve their work/life balance (29%).
The observed rise in flexible employment options, specifically about part-time jobs, caters to individuals seeking work-life balance or supplementary income.
On the other hand, inconvenient working hours, long commute, inflexible hours, and no promotion potential are among the most important reasons people turn down job offers.
These factors can help you become a more attractive recruiter to find and retain top talent.
Most Demanded Skills by Recruiters
The move towards an online business world has changed the skills employers look for in new hires. In addition to hard skills, which have always been crucial, employers now expect soft skills.
According to Forbes, these are the top skills that you should look for in your applicants:
- A growth mindset. Recruiters look for people who are eager to learn and adapt to the changing workplace conditions by constantly honing their skills.
- Critical thinking.The post-pandemic world requires employees that can improve resilience and face challenges. They need to have high problem-solving skills and be able to think clearly in the face of difficulties.
- Dedication. Companies are looking for employees dedicated enough to stick with their employers in difficult times, such as the pandemic. They want people who show up to work despite having reasons not to.
- Working in a virtual workplace. With the rise of remote working, job seekers should prove their skills to stay visible and work in a virtual environment. Being a team player, responsive, and tech-savvy are key skills needed here.
Job Seeker Expectations
People want to work in places where they feel appreciated as a part of the company. They look for workplaces that share their values, get paid fairly, and see equality.
According to Glassdoor, the pay gap is one of the most important things that repel applicants. 58% of the interviewed job applicants said a company with a pay gap isn’t their preference for application.
Although employees may think benefits play a big role in employee satisfaction, they only account for 12%. Culture and values and having strong leadership is more important for employees when it comes to their satisfaction with their workplace and job.
Plus, 73% of applicants only apply to a company that has similar values to them. That means if, for example, your company doesn’t have a good organizational culture, candidates aren’t likely to apply for a job in your company even if you offer better pay.
Most Demanded Jobs by Young Applicants
The face of the job-seeking market is changing with the oldest members of Generation Z entering the market. Although you may not see them in senior jobs, they will quickly replace the millennials with new job talents and interests.
The most in-demand job among Gen Z job seekers is software engineer, followed by a software developer in second place. Sales associates, mechanical engineers, data analysts, and business analysts are in the next positions.
The most popular companies among this generation are in the tech industry, finance, business services, and retail.
Where Job Seekers Find Employers
Gen Z and millennials apply for jobs using their mobile devices. They include entry-level, mid-career, blue-collar, and more.
Job applicants need to have access to information about the company, such as culture and pay, on websites. So, recruiters can make their offers more attractive by providing the needed information.
Plus, applicants feel frustrated when they have to spend a long time filling online forms. On the other hand, an easy-to-fill online form can increase the application rate by 2.3%.
Make sure your application is mobile-friendly to attract more applicants by 11.6%.
Most Popular Lead Sources for Recruiters
With most job seekers looking for jobs online, recruiters should also go where top talent is.
According to Statista, LinkedIn is the most popular channel for seeking employment. The U.S. has one of the highest audience reach (65%) in this professional social network, making it an effective talent pool.
It’s projected to have more than 64 million active users in the U.S. in 2021.
Other popular job-seeking platforms are Indeed.com and Glassdoor.com, with the latter providing overviews and ratings of companies. So, as an employer, you may want to consider featuring on these websites to raise your company’s visibility.
What Do Job Seekers Look for in Job Ads?
As the most important recruitment marketing tool, job ads are more than mere lists of job descriptions and requirements. In addition to what you look for in your prospective employees, you should also tell them what you have to offer.
According to Glassdoor, 67% of job seekers believe ads should contain information about salaries, benefits, location, commute time, and employee reviews.
Candidate Experience
The candidate’s job search journey and what they experience throughout this quest can determine your recruiting strategy. You can recruit top talent by attracting them faster than other companies.
According to LinkedIn, 89% of applicants say if the recruiter contacts them, they will accept the position faster.
Plus, 94% will accept the job if their future manager contacts them. And even if you’re not interested in hiring them, giving them constructive feedback makes them consider your company for future application.
While 94% of applicants prefer to receive this feedback, only 41% have. So, communication is key in attracting talent.
Final Thoughts
If you want to appeal to top talent, you need to know what they look for in a job. While payment is one of the most important factors, it’s not everything.
Job seekers search for many different criteria, such as the company culture and reputation and how your position will help them achieve career development.