Home / News, Views and Opinion / Employers don’t know what engineers want from a job offer

Employers don’t know what engineers want from a job offer

Despite 89% of the industry’s employers claiming to know what professionals find most attractive in a job offer, new data reveals that two-fifths (40.4%) actually get it wrong. 

That’s according to the latest survey from CV-Library, the UK independent job site.

The survey asked job hunters across the engineering industry what they believe to be the most important aspects of a job offer. 

It also asked employers they believe professionals deem to be the most important.

When comparing the responses, the data reveals some discrepancies. While 84.1% of engineering professionals voted salary as the most important factor, only 59.6% of employers thought this would be the case. 

Other key findings include:

  • Employers believe location to be the least important part of a job offer (5.6%), while engineering professionals vote this as their second most important factor (63.8%)
  • What’s more, over a third (37.7%) of professionals in the industry placed working hours as the third most important part of a job offer
  • Flexible working is crucial to one in five engineers (18%), yet only 13.6% of employers believed this to be a priority
  • Finally, 21.1% of employers said benefits and workplace perks are an attractive factor, compared with 28% of professionals

Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, comments:“With so much uncertainty across the job market right now, it’s crucial that businesses in the industry are doing all they can to attract talented new recruits.

“Misjudging what candidates are looking for in a job offer can have harmful repercussions for an employer. As such, employers need to have a clear understanding of what engineering professionals want from a job, so they can ensure they’re investing in the right areas and offering competitive packages.”

What’s more, engineering professionals were asked to reveal what they look for when scanning a job description, with 92.2% saying they look for set criteria. 

Interestingly, 35.4% even said they wouldn’t apply to a job if the description didn’t contain the following:

  • Salary – 87
  • Location – 83.1%
  • Job title – 43.1%
  • Working hours – 30.8%
  • Flexible working – 15.5%

Biggins concludes: “Professionals in the engineering sector know what they want from a job offer and those that are aware of the current climate also know that they can afford to be picky with their choices. With many nervous to switch roles amidst ongoing uncertainty, it’s going to take a competitive package to encourage them to leave their current position. 

“For this reason, your job descriptions need to clearly show the salary, location, job title and working hours, otherwise you risk losing out on applications. Make this information easy to find and don’t forget to shout about the great perks you have on offer as well!” 

Check Also

Tiny, micropower Hall-effect switches deliver compatibility with low-voltage chipsets

Diodes Incorporated introduces three new Hall-effect switches, the AH1899A/B/S, which operate from a low supply …

How can car manufacturers alleviate EV resistance?

The headlines around electric vehicles (EVs) have been less than optimistic recently. While the news …

Evolving blockchain technology can transform diverse oil and gas applications

Blockchain is emerging as a technology that demands attention within the oil and gas sector. …