_Media Release
Wednesday, 12 March, 2008
More Than Half of Kiwi Workers on the Look-Out for a New Job
- Companies who correctly invest in attracting and retaining staff are at a distinct advantage
- Research confirms significant gaps between what job seekers want and what’s offered
- Employers selling themselves short; job ads leaving candidates cold
Research released by Hudson today shows more than one in two New Zealand workers [eds: 55%] are either thinking about or
ready to change jobs. In addition, research confirms major gaps between what job seekers want from prospective employers
and what organisations are actually delivering.
The 20:20 Series report, Candidate Buying Behaviour: An Exploration into the Key Motivators of Today's Job Seeker, which
included 2,100 professionals from a range of industries across New Zealand and Australia, shows that many employers are
ignoring job seekers’ needs and wants. This is despite many employers seeking to attribute problems in attracting and
retaining staff to low unemployment, the current skills shortage, an ageing population, and the drain of talent
overseas.
The report explores what triggers someone to change or consider changing jobs, preferred ways to look for a job, job ad
effectiveness, how job seekers compare prospective employers, and what drives candidates in the job searching process.
Roman Rogers, general manager, Hudson New Zealand, said the research outlines major problems in the job search process
and highlights that those employers who get the recruitment process right have a distinct business advantage.
"Finding new staff, as well as keeping existing ones, isn’t getting any easier. However, the research clearly shows the
information being presented by employers to entice candidates is not as relevant and specific as it could be. In some
cases, it simply turns workers off. For example, workers want to see the company name and salary in the job
advertisement and also believe that job advertisements can oversell roles.
“Companies which correctly invest in the attraction and retention of staff will automatically have an edge over their
competitors when looking for the right staff in a skills short market.”
The research found that job seekers also want companies to work harder at helping them get a better understanding of the
work environment. They wanted an opportunity to get honest answers to their questions during interviews, to talk with
their potential colleagues and even see the desk where they would work
"During the final stage of the job search process, candidates tend to focus on the ‘what’s in it for me?’ question
rather than the big picture. Emotional benefits such as the company’s culture are more important than, say, company size
or its direction," said Mr Rogers.
ENDS
For copies of the Hudson 20:20 Series report Candidate Buying Behaviour: An Exploration into the Key Motivators of
Today's Job Seeker visit the market insights section at www.nz.hudson.com