Recruiting, Talent

Talent Engagement Critical to Combating the Skills Shortage

A new survey provides insight into the factors that professionals consider when making career decisions.


The Execu|Search Group, a provider of recruitment, temporary staffing, and workforce solutions, surveyed job seekers, working professionals, and hiring decisions makers in order to help employers navigate an evolving employer-employee relationship.

Key Findings

Key findings from the survey include:

  • Hiring is becoming increasingly difficult.
    • 69 percent of employers plan on hiring new staff in 2018—a 13 percent year-over-year increase.
  • Companies must offer more professional development.
    • Working professionals rank professional development as the most important element of company culture, yet employers don’t perceive it to be a high priority for employees.
    • 46 percent of employees do not think their leadership skills are being developed.
  • Collaboration + transparency are key to retention.
    • “Lack of advancement opportunities” is one of the top reasons employees would leave a company.
  • Professionals aren’t happy with their work-life balance.
    • 45 percent of professionals feel that their company does not promote a healthy work-life balance.
    • 54 percent of professionals’ career choices are motivated by seeking a healthy work-life balance.

Other Findings

Other findings of note include:

  • Tenure with company is shorter.
    • 65 percent of working professionals plan to stay with their employer for five years or less.
  • A counteroffer may not be an effective retention strategy.
    • 65 percent of employers say they would extend a counteroffer in order to keep their best employees; however, 60 percent of employees say they would reject a counteroffer from their current employer.
  • Job seekers have options.
    • 55 percent of professionals were interviewing for 2+ other roles while they were interviewing for their current position.
  • Employers need to invest in training.
    • One in four employers has not made any effort to address the skills shortage at their company.
  • Temporary employees, contractors, and consultants can fill open positions.
    • 62 percent of professionals are open to freelance or contract work.

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