CareerBuilder recently surveyed hundreds of job seekers about what is most pressing and important to them right now. A few highlights include that nearly 84% were willing to take a role outside their most recent role or industry, and about 35% said they wouldn’t accept a job offer without a work from home option.
Below, we’re diving into three takeaways that should be part of your 2021 hiring strategy to prioritize candidate preferences.
1. Skills-based hiring continues to be a smart strategy
More than 75% of respondents said they’ve invested in their skills this year, specifically with the intent of finding a new job. This means that you have top talent on the market who are even more valuable and skilled than before the pandemic. While unemployment remains relatively high and somewhat uncertain, as the pandemic subsides, employers are going to be in a tight race for the best quality candidates. Millions of top-notch workers who were laid off are now even more qualified, whether they’re looking to switch industries or take the next step in their career path.
The best solution to find the right people for your teams is to consider the skills someone brings to the table, especially after this year. Job title and industry experience can give you an idea of background and how someone learned these skills, but they aren’t necessarily foolproof indicators of what a worker can do.
2. Flexible hours is the most in-demand benefit – by a long shot
After health insurance (which is pretty standard now), the option for flexibility in working hours is the top want, with almost half the respondents listing it as a strong preference. Other benefits like free Netflix, student loan payment, transit credits and gym memberships were ranked significantly lower.
Flexible work hours – include remote work – were gaining popularity pre-pandemic, and as about a quarter of the working population has been work from home this year, it’s no surprise that employees want to keep that option. Another study conducted over the summer also showed that flexibility in work hours can potentially retain workers with diverse backgrounds, especially among women of color. The ability to optimize the workday to personal preferences also appeared to lead to an increase in employee satisfaction.
- Read more: 11 benefits to offer remote workers -
3. People are still searching for a job, whether or not they’re unemployed
More than half of respondents were currently employed, from contract to part-time to full-time work. And 88% of total respondents were actively looking for a role. This means there is a sizable number of workers who are still looking to make moves to a new employer, despite record unemployment and a shaky economic recovery in certain industries. We saw this trend in the summer as well, and here are tips to make sure your team members aren’t the ones looking to leave:
- COVID-19: Stay connected to your remote workforce
- Tips to overcome the impact of coronavirus on hiring and talent acquisition
- Bolster your employer brand during COVID-19
- How to scale culture fit for (a lot of) new hires
