- A vast majority of workers are open to new
career opportunities with Gen Z most active in seeking new
jobs in the tech sector
- Ongoing career development is a must for
engagement and retention
- Speed is critical as a vast majority of
candidates want a fast recruitment process
- Employers who meet the workforce's most valued needs will
win
LONDON, May 23, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- As many as 87% of all UK talent will actively seek
to find a new job in the next 12 months, and 90% of North American
Gen Z tech workers under 25 would consider new career
opportunities, new research released by global tech recruitment
firm Lorien has revealed. With so many eager to acquire the
right role, companies face a potential brain drain if they fail to
entice talent to stay.
This revelation comes from surveying conducted in the UK and
North America by Lorien, powered
by Impellam Group, in the first quarter of 2024, and it shows the
concerns and preferences of today's tech talent. These and other
findings are presented in the 'What Tech Candidates Want' 2024
report. In addition to findings of large majorities of candidates
wanting to make career changes, the report also examines their
dissatisfaction with current employers, preferred ways of working,
the employee value proposition most considered when switching, and
other critical insights employers should know.
David Gettins, managing director
of Lorien in the UK, advises "Even in an ever-changing labor
market, in-demand tech talent remains challenging to acquire and
retain. For many organizations seeking AI, cloud, cybersecurity,
and other sought-after talent, understanding what workers desire
and expect is instrumental to a successful workforce strategy. The
insights from this report provide hiring organizations with greater
clarity on how to build a powerful employee value proposition
critical to becoming a true employer of choice."
Gettins goes on to say, "And when talent scarcity begins to rise
again in the near future, due to structural deficiencies in the
market, we expect to see the pendulum swing the other way again. We
believe in empowering the future of tech, and this new report
provides important insights and transparency to clients and
candidates alike."
"Our data should be a wake-up call for tech employers because it
shows a concerning level of dissatisfaction among permanent and
contractor talent. Dramatic changes in the tech labor market during
the past two years have given workers whiplash in terms of
available job opportunities and rewards, so it's quite natural to
see this level of angst," said Ryan
McMahon, president of Lorien in North America.
The survey found that the youngest workers are the least
satisfied, with just 13% in North
America saying they are happy in their current role, while
35% of younger candidates in the UK are happy. These figures
improved with successively older generations of workers. The
disparity may be the result of younger workers having entered the
workforce at a time when digital transformation was culminating in
the global economy, and demand for scarce tech skills was peaking.
Those needs were further exacerbated during the pandemic as
companies accelerated their digital strategy. As a result, these
workers have yet to experience a difficult job market
previously.
Workers surveyed provided insights into their motivations for
job changes. In the UK, 24% prioritized learning new technology,
followed by 19% seeking career progression, and 10% desiring
flexible work arrangements. In North
America, 24% similarly valued learning new technologies,
with 17% highlighting career progression and 12% aiming to escape
negative company cultures.
When seeking new employment opportunities, the most important
priorities for North American workers were to look for a job that
offered career growth (21%), flexible working schedules (18%), and
a good salary (16%). The same three were also at the top of the
wish list for UK workers, with 29% seeking career growth, 20%
wanting flexible schedules, and 18% desiring more money.
Hybrid and remote work remain relevant
In the years since the start of the pandemic, remote and hybrid
schedules continue to be debated in offices everywhere, but most
tech specialists tend to enjoy at least a few days offsite weekly.
In the UK, 50% prefer 1-2 days in the office and 29% opt for fully
remote work, and more than half favor a hybrid schedule.
Conversely, half of workers in North America say they are
fully remote, aligning with the 51% who prefer this arrangement.
Just 7% of candidates in both markets want a fully onsite workweek.
Among those under 25, however, 15% in North America say they prefer in-person
arrangements, compared with 6% for older peers.
"How people want to work in the industry, and what employers are
offering, should align to drive a more positive talent experience.
This means being flexible to changing policies as needed,
considering alternative arrangements when it makes sense, and
surveying workers to ensure the most effective practices are always
in place," said Darren Topping,
director of solutions and insight for Lorien UK. "It's important
for organizations to sustain their values and employee value
proposition throughout various economic cycles so they remain
employers of choice."
In addition to work arrangement preferences, Lorien's research
also reveals what tech candidates want during the recruitment
continuum. They shared thoughts on acceptable practices on the time
to hire and other recruitment benchmarks, how they research
prospective employers, and other factors that influence their
employment choices. Along with their outlook on the impact of AI
and workforce diversity, equity and inclusion, the report offers
one of the most comprehensive looks into the mindset of tech
workers.
Pro tips for employers to consider as high-quality candidates
with specialized skills remain difficult to recruit:
- Align remote and hybrid work policies with prevailing market
practices to effectively compete for talent
- Create a compelling employee value proposition to attract and
retain talent
- Leverage a consistent and authentic culture to create an
attractive talent journey that resonates with candidates
- Maintain DE&I outreach to nurture a more diverse and
equitable workforce that candidates expect to find in their
organization
Access the full report for comprehensive insights into 'What
Tech Candidates Want' in both the UK here and North America here, respectively.
About Lorien
We are Lorien, a technology, transformation, and digital talent
company powered by Impellam Group, a connected group providing
global workforce and specialist recruitment solutions. We combine
tech expertise with the scope, depth, and breadth of large-scale
talent organizations. Driven by both clients and candidates,
covering the US and Europe, we
work with all sectors, sizes, and tech needs—from start-ups to
established tech companies and those who use tech to propel them
further. Our unique position in the market means we have the
insight to create tailored solutions, keeping our clients ahead of
the curve and giving them complete agility. From one-off placements
to scalable enterprise solutions, executive search to
next-generation tech skills, and time-sensitive projects to ongoing
digital journeys—we flex to fit the requirement.
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