Everyone can probably agree that one of the most frustrating experiences on the planet is dealing with the notorious used car salesman. It’s the guy who takes one look at you and is determined to get you out the door with any old set of car keys and a significantly lighter wallet. He tries too hard to be smooth and charismatic and ends up coming off as pushy, sleazy and crooked.
You’re cringing as you imagine that, aren’t you? So are we.
However, in the staffing world, we’ve heard many comparisons between terrible recruiters and used car salesmen. Just take a look at these Google autosuggest options for the search phrase “recruiters are.”
Ouch. That cuts deep, Google. But we’re committed to turning this stereotype on its head by getting inside head. We surveyed our networks to find out what professionals like you are really looking for in the job search and what their experiences and hopes are in the job market.
Turns out, this is profound information that we wanted to share with every professional out there who is considering a career change in 2019.
Let’s dive in.
If you’re thinking about possibly making a job change this year, you are certainly not alone. A massive majority (78.2%) of people are open to new opportunities, whether or not they are actively searching.
In most industries, especially in fields like technology and engineering, demand for top talent is through the roof while the unemployment rate has never been closer to zero. As a result, you’ve likely heard many companies and thought leaders talking about the “candidate market,” in which jobseekers have the upper hand.
However, while many employers are seeing fewer qualified resumes in their inbox, the massive number of professionals open to new positions makes it clear that if those employers know where to look and network, there seems to be plenty of talent to fill those empty positions.
What does this mean for you? Well, if you were hoping for that upper hand in the job search, inspired by the romantic notion of employers falling at candidates’ feet, the reality is you may need to step up your game to stand out from the competition. Now more than ever is the time to brush up on your skills, tidy up your resume, build your networks, and get your name out there.
If you needed more evidence that the “candidate market” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, almost one in three of our survey respondents said that a good position is difficult to find. Another 40% acknowledged that they would have to really search to find the right opportunity. Only one in four think it would be a relatively fast process to find a good role.
That said, when asked to evaluate how optimistic they were about their job prospects in 2019 versus last year, over 45% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with an optimistic outlook. Another 40% were simply neutral, while only 13% leaned to a pessimistic outlook.
From our perspective, while it’s true that demand in most industries is high and many employers have openings, there is simultaneously high competition between professionals in landing these jobs.
So why are people looking for new jobs in the first place? It’s clear from our survey – as well as many other studies out there – that professionals view career development as the most pressing concern in the next stage of their careers. As a result, one in four people cite “lack of career growth” as their main reason for leaving a job.
Thus, if you’re feeling stagnant in your current position, but you’re unsure whether a career change could solve the problem, you may want to reconsider. With employers competing for top talent in a high-demand market, many are willing to go the extra mile to ensure you achieve career growth with their company.
Other top concerns as people consider the next stage in their careers are the opportunity to learn new skills and technologies as well as the team environment and management style at any potential opportunity. This was confirmed when we asked why they would leave a job: a toxic culture and poor management were the second and third reasons for leaving.
What about compensation? It’s the fourth on the list of most important considerations in a new career is the fourth reason why people would leave a position. The lesson? That while money is important, it isn’t everything. When you’re spending 40+ hours a week in the same place around the same people doing the same work, there are factors much more pressing than the paycheck you get at the end of the week.
What do you value most in your career? Are you assessing potential opportunities accordingly? Or are you getting distracted by dollar signs or other perks that may prove to be of lesser value in the long term?
If you’re searching for a new opportunity via CareerBuilder, Indeed, Dice, or any other job board, you’re far from the only one. Almost 40% of survey respondents choose online job boards when it’s time to search for a new job. The result, however, is less than satisfactory. Crowded job boards create resume black holes, making it rare that you hear back from even a fraction of the companies you apply to.
The second most popular method to search for a new job is partnering with a recruiter in your industry. This approach will likely be more fruitful. The right recruiter will make a commitment to understanding your goals and motivations as well as your skills and experience. Their networks are deep, and they have access to job openings that never get advertised publicly. Thus, they’re well-positioned to find you the perfect role. If you need help finding the best recruiter for you, just check out Great Recruiters reviews for insights from professionals like you.
A close second to recruiters are social media networks, especially LinkedIn. If you use it right, LinkedIn can be a powerful tool to connect you with leaders and peers in your industry. Staying active and engaged on the platform will ensure you stay top-of-mind with these connections when it comes time to find a new position.
You might be up against more competition in the job search than you anticipated, but does that mean you should be waiting around for employers to reply to your application? The general consensus appears to be that waiting longer than two weeks for a company to follow up isn’t worth it. A mere 12% of survey respondents are willing to wait 3+ weeks. The majority (34%) give up on a company after only one week; some (22%) only wait 3-5 days; and a few more (30%) go a full two weeks.
Why does it matter? Generally, for a company that’s on top of their hiring process and is truly motivated to hire, they’re going to call, or at the very least email, qualified candidates fairly soon after they apply. Companies know that great talent is in demand and a slow process does them no favors. If they’re slow to respond, they’re either not in a rush to hire or their hiring process is disorganized and burdensome. There exceptions, of course, but it’s a good rule of thumb to keep in mind as you’re assessing your options.
Can relocating help you gain an edge on the competition? There’s no cut-and-dry answer, but it’s helpful to understand how other professionals feel about the topic. Almost a third of people want to stay where they are, comfortable in their current homes and communities. However, just over a third of people are willing to move if they’re presented with a competitive relocation package.
Relocating is a big decision to make and naturally comes with a lot of change. But if you currently live in a highly competitive region, it may benefit you to spread your wings and find other locales in need of your skills. On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re currently located in a region with few opportunities, seeking a position in an area of higher demand is likewise beneficial.
With almost 80% of professionals open to making a job change this year, it’s likely you’re going to be up against strong competition in the job search. We hope this survey data helps provide some insight into where you stand in the market and how to make the right decision.
As mentioned above, partnering up with a recruiter in your industry is a popular choice for many jobseekers – and for good reason. At Brightwing, we’re committed to becoming your career advisor, getting to know you on a deeper level so we can match you up with the perfect opportunity.
Save these insights straight to your desktop by downloading the PDF.
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