What matters most to job seekers in 2024?

Shannon: Okay. And so I'm joined by Jess here today. As always, in our market reports and P2P posts, we look at what's important to job seekers, and that's changed pretty rapidly over the last few years. There's been a lot going on, so I'm really interested to see what matters most to job seekers this year. Can you help us out, Jess?

Jess: Yeah, sure. No problem. Thanks for having me, Shannon. According to the report, job seekers are increasingly focused on advancing their careers, seeking roles that offer clear paths for progression and growth. Hiring managers are saying that what matters most to job seekers in 2024 is career opportunities, sitting at 71%, surpassing management support and trust by just 1%. This is followed closely by the importance of training and development, which stands at 69%, indicating that employees are eager to enhance their skills and stay competitive in their fields. Additionally, there's been a notable emphasis on financial compensation. Salary and bonuses have seen a significant increase in importance of over 5% from 2023, now sitting at 57%. These trends underscore the evolving landscape of employee retention, where development opportunities and financial rewards are key drivers in attracting and retaining talent.

Shannon: Yeah, and that's not really a big surprise. We tried to keep it light today, but we are still living through a cost of living crisis. So, of course, salaries are going to be important to job seekers. That's not going to change much year on year. But it was really interesting to see that they've put the focus back on their careers and those long-term prospects and development, which kind of took a bit of a backseat in earlier years. What are you finding with your candidates in the accounting and finance space?

Jess: I think there's definitely still a little bit of a desire for flexibility, but like the report says, the number one thing is being able to develop and grow within your position, even if it's not necessarily a growth upwards but something lateral. That's the number one thing that candidates are looking for at the moment.

Shannon: Yeah, good to see. And as always, we'd love to hear from our viewers and hear your experiences and what's important to you. So feel free to put in the comments and add what's important to you. We'd love to hear from you. Of course, if you are on the lookout for a new opportunity, particularly within the accounting and finance space, please get in touch with Jess, who can give you some great advice.