What Causes People to Change Jobs?

by Ben Hess, Managing Director, ThirdPool Recruiting

In 2005, Derek Chapman and several of his colleagues from the University of Calgary published the results of research they’d been working on for the past few years.

The topic of the project was recruiting, and the purpose of the research was to uncover insightful connections among 71 recruiting-related research studies published over the previous five decades.

While conducting this type of research may sound mind-numbing to most of us, the results should energize anyone who is trying to be successful at hiring agents.

After analyzing 667 different coefficients effecting the recruiting process,  the research revealed the six most important factors effecting recruiting outcomes:

  1. Position Characteristics:  Is this job something I want to do?
  1. Recruiter Characteristics: Do I like the recruiter/hiring manager?
  1. Perception of the Recruiting Process:  How long/difficult is the recruiting process?
  1. Perceived Alternatives: What other options are available?
  1. Hiring Expectations:  What are the chances of me getting/being successful in this job?
  1. Perception of Fit:  Is this job something that fits my personal needs, values, strengths, and hopes for the future?

We’ll discuss these issues more in future Insights, but do a quick inventory of the interactions with your recruiting prospects.

Are these the topics you’re addressing during your recruiting process?   They’re likely the issues your candidates are considering.

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