What’s Turning Job Seekers Away? Survey Highlights Top Deterrents

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Job Postings: What’s Missing the Mark?

A recent survey conducted by  StandOut CV has shed light on the biggest frustrations faced by job seekers. From subpar benefits to poor interview practices, the results highlight several ways employers may inadvertently discourage top talent from applying.

Bare Minimum Leave Policies
The number one red flag for applicants? Positions offering only the legal minimum for annual leave. A significant 65.5% of respondents said this would make them think twice about applying, signalling the importance of offering standout perks in today’s competitive market.

Social Media Expectations
Another major turnoff involves requiring employees to promote the company on platforms like LinkedIn. This mandate didn’t sit well with 64.6% of participants, who preferred to keep their personal and professional lives separate.

Clarity is Key: Transparency in Job Ads

Salary Disclosure
One of the most common frustrations identified in the survey was the lack of salary information. Over 63% of job seekers said they would skip applying altogether if this key detail was missing.

Detailed Job Descriptions
Job seekers also emphasized the importance of clarity in advertisements, with 61.7% stating that clear qualification requirements were a must-have, followed closely by working hours (60.5%) and benefits information (56.1%).

Buzzwords That Backfire

Certain phrases often used in job ads are doing more harm than good. Terms like “winner’s mindset” (36.7%), “hustle” (36.3%), and “work hard, play hard” (35.4%) were some of the least appealing. These phrases, often associated with a high-pressure work culture, seem to be driving candidates away rather than inspiring them to apply.

Interview Faux Pas: What Not to Do

In-Person Blunders
The survey revealed that poor personal hygiene during interviews is a top dealbreaker, with 75% of respondents listing it as a major turnoff. Group interviews, which require multiple candidates to compete simultaneously, were disliked by 70.2% of participants. Even minor mistakes, such as mispronouncing a candidate’s name or shortening it without permission, left a bad impression for 68.1% and 63.3% of applicants, respectively.

Virtual Interview Mistakes
Remote interviews are not exempt from pitfalls. Over half of job seekers were put off by interviewers talking to someone off-camera (50.7%) or failing to turn on their camera (48.1%). Background distractions, like family members appearing on screen, also ranked high on the list of frustrations.

Too Many Rounds
The survey found that lengthy hiring processes can be a dealbreaker. More than half of respondents (53.2%) said they’d pull their application after being subjected to three or more interview rounds.

What Do Candidates Really Want?

Priorities in Job Ads
When it comes to job postings, candidates are clear about their expectations. Most want to see:

  • Clear qualifications (61.7%)
  • Defined working hours (60.5%)
  • Transparent benefits (56.1%)
  • Annual leave details (35.7%)

Andrew Fennell, Director of StandOut CV, emphasized the importance of going beyond the basics: “Employers need to do more than just meet the minimum legal requirements. To attract top talent, they must offer appealing benefits and craft thoughtful, transparent job advertisements.”

Takeaway for Employers

To stand out in a crowded job market, employers must prioritize transparency, offer attractive benefits, and create a respectful hiring process. Addressing these key concerns will make it easier to attract and retain exceptional candidates.

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