Key Takeaways:
- AgHires surveyed over 700 agricultural professionals to understand job search trends.
- Salary information in job descriptions significantly increases application likelihood.
- Most respondents are open to considering new job opportunities if approached.
- Lack of communication from employers is a major frustration for job seekers.
- The report aims to help agricultural employers improve their hiring processes.
AgHires, a prominent recruitment and job advertising firm specializing in the agriculture, food production, and horticulture industries, recently conducted a comprehensive Job Seeker Survey. The survey aimed to gather insights into the job-searching and hiring processes from the perspective of candidates within the agricultural sector. The final report, titled “Strategic Hiring—Understanding Trends Among Agricultural Job Seekers,” provides valuable information for employers looking to attract top talent.
AgHires’ Survey Overview
AgHires collected data from over 700 individuals employed in various sectors and job types within the agriculture industry. Participants were asked about their job search methods, essential elements of a job description, desirable job qualities, common job search frustrations, perceptions of the hiring process, and the effectiveness of passive recruitment strategies.
Key Findings
Importance of Salary Information:
One of the most notable findings is that 70% of respondents are more likely to apply for a job if the salary information is included in the job description. Despite this, compensation did not rank among the top five most important factors when considering a new job offer. This suggests that while transparency in salary can attract applicants, other factors play a crucial role in their decision-making process.
Openness to New Opportunities:
94% of respondents indicated they would consider a new job opportunity if a company or recruiter contacted them. This highlights the potential effectiveness of proactive recruitment strategies in the agricultural sector.
Job Search Frustrations:
The survey revealed that 41% of candidates find not hearing back from employers after applying or interviewing to be the most frustrating aspect of their job search. This indicates a need for better communication and feedback mechanisms in the hiring process to enhance the candidate experience.
Expert Commentary
Lori Culler, owner, and founder of AgHires, emphasized the importance of understanding job seeker behavior in the current hiring market. She stated, “In the current hiring market, employers must understand job seeker behavior and make the right adjustments to their hiring process in order to stay competitive and attract top talent.”
Implications for Employers
The findings from the AgHires survey suggest several strategies that agricultural employers can implement to improve their hiring processes:
- Include Salary Information: Given the high likelihood of increased applications, employers should consider including salary details in job descriptions to attract more candidates.
- Proactive Recruitment: With many respondents open to new opportunities; companies should invest in passive recruitment strategies to reach potential candidates who are not actively job hunting.
- Improve Communication: Addressing the frustration of not hearing back from employers, companies should enhance their communication and feedback processes to keep candidates informed throughout the hiring process.
Read the complete survey here.
Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash
