COMP NEWS – A new study that polled over 1,000 U.S. candidates found that workers value higher compensation and richer benefits more than work-from-home flexibility.

Here are some of the results:

• The overwhelming majority of candidates (76%) are looking to change careers/industries.
• When asked what the top two non-negotiables are when considering a new job, salary/benefits (57%) and career advancement/upskilling opportunities (32%) were ranked highest followed by work from home opportunities (29%), stronger leadership (18%) and DEI programs (16%).
• Faster response time from recruiters was ranked as the top way for companies to improve the candidate experience, cited by 80% of respondents.
• Slow response time from recruiters is the top reason candidates quit applying for a job. Only 19% of candidates report hearing back from recruiters within 24 hours of applying to a job.
• 27% of candidates said the job search/application process has become more complicated.

The study found surprising differences across gender lines, with women having a higher rate of non-negotiable stances on salary and benefits. Men, however, were more picky about the quality of leadership in roles they accepted.

• 60% of respondents who identify as female said better salary/benefits was a non-negotiable for their next role versus 52% of males saying the same.
• 33% of respondents who identify as female said work-from-home opportunities are non-negotiable for their next role versus 25% of males saying the same (respondents who identify as male were more likely to say strong leadership is non-negotiable than those who identify as female).
• Respondents who identify as male were more likely to have removed themselves from consideration due to too many interviews – 20% mentioned this versus 14% of those who identify as female saying the same.

To read more about the survey, click here.

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