UK workers reveal their top job turn-offs

job turn offs

New research has found that over three quarters of UK workers are not willing to compromise on certain areas when looking for a job, with 18.2 per cent revealing that a low advertised salary would put them off a role entirely.

The research found that candidates are growing increasingly impatient with their job hunt, with many refusing to settle for anything less than the best opportunities. In fact, according to those surveyed, the following aspects would most likely put them off a job altogether:

  • One fifth would be put off by unclear job descriptions
  • One in 10  said that long recruitment processes would be a turn-off
  • …and 7.8 per cent revealed that poor communication throughout the recruitment process would drive them away from a company

Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library, comments: “Getting the recruitment process right is highly important for SMEs, and businesses should make sure to finesse every part of that journey. From ensuring that job adverts accurately portray the role in question, to making certain that recruitment teams (whether they’re internal or external) communicate well with potential candidates, listening to what job hunters want is the only way to stay ahead.

“The good news is that some organisations are recognising that they must adapt to workers’ needs. Just recently KPMG revealed that they had shortened their recruitment process to accommodate future working generations, and more businesses should follow suit. Having a lengthy recruitment process is becoming less and less acceptable, and often means that SMEs miss out on the best talent because they have already been snapped up by their savvier competitors. Keeping up to date with recruitment trends and changes is extremely important for businesses of all sizes.”

According to the research, other key factors deterring candidates away from companies are poor traits about the businesses themselves, including a bad reputation , a high staff turnover  and poor management.

Biggins continues: “Candidates can glean a first impression of a company within minutes and there are a range of platforms out there which job hunters can use to find out exactly what it’s like to work in a certain organisation. This can make or break an SME: social media is a great branding tool for showing off what it’s like to work within a company, but can also be a platform for individuals to speak negatively about their experiences. Avoiding this by ensuring you have a strong, positive, employer brand, which is reflected throughout the recruitment process, is vital if you want to stay ahead in the hiring game.”

Least important to candidates was long working hours, unfriendly colleagues, lack of flexible work opportunities and poor brand awareness, suggesting that the real challenge is keeping candidates happy throughout the recruitment process.