The 4 Most Important Things Candidates Consider When Changing Jobs

A survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that people held, on average, about 12 jobs in their lifetime. This statistic has a double meaning for hiring managers. It means that people are likely to switch to the positions you offer if the conditions are right and change out of those jobs if they are wrong. By understanding the main factors that candidates consider when changing jobs, as a hiring manager, you can attract the candidates you want and prevent your valuable players from leaving.

#1 Salary

Unsurprisingly, salary is a candidate's primary consideration when changing jobs. However, Savvy candidates understand there's more to compensation than just the take-home figure. Hiring managers who want to attract and keep such candidates should know how to break down salary figures.

Candidates aren’t just looking at the base salary, retirement fund benefits, and health packages. A good hiring manager should realize that days off aren't just a bonus: they factor directly into a candidate's impression of their salary by changing their per-hour take-home amount.

Candidates will take all of this into account when they consider changing jobs. It accounts for well over three-quarters of the number of job changes, so hiring managers must keep it in mind.

#2 Environment

Several aspects of the work environment will influence a candidate’s decision to change jobs, although not all are under the hiring manager’s control.

The first is the location of the job relative to their home. Moving to a different city for better living arrangements or a better commute is not a decision a hiring manager can control, but it influences many job changes.

One thing that can be controlled is the work culture. The comfort level versus efficiency of the workplace will attract or deter certain kinds of candidates. By knowing who they’re hiring, a hiring manager can influence a change in the environment to attract or keep better candidates.

#3 Prospects

Offering employees financial prospects goes a long way to keeping them. This includes both their ability to advance in the company and its financial stability in the foreseeable future.

Instead of looking for a higher salary elsewhere, great hiring managers want employees to feel they can raise their pay without changing jobs. These opportunities are a huge factor in which companies retain their workers.

#4 Personal

Some of a candidate’s considerations can drift into personal preference. For instance, they may choose benefits over a higher take-home figure. These could include maternity and marriage leave, bonuses, subsidies, memberships, and other perks.

The manager’s working style may also be a factor. A manager’s style can make a job more or less enjoyable, and candidates will often ask hiring managers and other workers about the boss's leadership skills, expectations, and demeanor.

The Takeaway

Salary is the number one reason a candidate will switch jobs. However, the take-home figure is not the last word on their decision: they will also look at the benefits and working environment to determine which job is worth it.

Personal preferences like a shorter commute or a different working style may not be as controllable, but they are factors that hiring managers should consider. Being prepared to answer specific questions about the boss’s leadership style, the local area, the benefits offered, and the possibility of advancement can go a long way to making a candidate feel more comfortable accepting (and keeping) their job in your company.

About Us

Connexis Search Group is a permanent placement recruiting firm that places a wide range of candidates in the following industries: Molecular Diagnostics, Life Science,  CLIA Lab, and Medical Devices. We have been in business for two decades and have helped numerous candidates find rewarding careers. Please let us know if we can assist you.