>>By the Numbers: February 23, 2018

By the Numbers: February 23, 2018

SourceCon February 26-28, 2018

We’ll be heading to viva Las Vegas next week for SourceCon! When we’re not rubbing elbows and swapping interesting stats and stories with other pros in talent acquisition, we’ll be hanging with…the purple squirrel.  Ah yes, the elusive purple squirrel in hiring – that perfect candidate with all the skills you need, the charming personality you want, and much more! Many say they don’t exist, but we have proven otherwise!

Attending the conference? Follow our purple squirrel to the Innovation Lab in the Red Rock ballroom:

Tuesday: 2:00-5:00PM

Wednesday: 10:30AM-12:30PM

Follow the clues and collect special treats to guide you on your journey toward your perfect candidate! See you there!

BountyJobs Bites

PTO and Culture High on the List for Candidates

Per a new Accountemps survey, 26% of respondents stated that PTO and 24% stated that culture were high on the list when considering going to work for a new employer.

Highly-Skilled Independent Workers In Demand

A report by MBO Partners found that competition for skilled independent workers (defined as a person who offers a service, rather than a product, to businesses) is the same for skilled permanent employees.  The report states that the amount of independent workers has grown 62% since 2011 and many have skills that are tough to find.

Employers Hush-Hush on AI Concerns Employees

A recent survey by The Workforce Institute states that four in five employees have a positive outlook on artificial intelligence, but the silence from their employers causes anxiety. The survey, Engaging Opportunity: Working Smarter with AI, finds that “58% of organizations internationally haven’t discussed AI’s impact on the workforce with employees.” 82% of employee survey respondents hope AI will positively impact their roles while 34% are fearful that AI will replace them. (42% of those were Gen Z employees)

Fortune Releases ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ List

Salesforce comes in on top of this coveted list, with Wegmans Food Markets, Ultimate Software, The Boston Consulting Group, and Edward Jones following. More than 315K workers participated in the feedback for the chosen companies. Some examples:

“I feel good about the ways we contribute to the community”; “I am given the resources and equipment to do my job”; “We have special and unique benefits here”; “Management is honest and ethical in its business practices”; “Management trusts people to do a good job without watching over their shoulders”; and “People celebrate special events around here.”

This List of Interview Snafus May Shock You

According to CareerBuilder, about 49% of employers can tell within five minutes of an interview if a candidate is suitable for a role. Some of the unusual things interviewers have witnessed:

  • Candidate did not have the skills to do the job and stated, “fake it until you make it” as his personal philosophy.
  • Candidate asked interviewer if she was qualified to be doing her job.
  • Candidate asked for a cocktail.
  • Candidate asked to taste the interviewer’s coffee.
  • Candidate called a government job “something government-y.”
  • Candidate came to interview wearing slippers.
  • Candidate wore a Darth Vader outfit to the interview.

Jobless Claims Average Falls, Initial Claims are at 45-Year Low

“The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance fell to 226,000 last week, down 2,250 from the previous week’s revised average, the US Department of Labor reported. The previous week’s average was revised downward by 250.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended Feb. 17 fell to 222,000, down 7,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised downward by 1,000.”

IT Hiring Needs Increasing as Supply Decreases

The IT Staffing Growth Assessment: 2018 Update states that “IT employment growth has outpaced that of the overall economy for the last 15 years, and the IT staffing segment has a relatively high temporary agency penetration rate in the U.S. About half of IT staffing revenue is derived from the US, where SIA forecasts revenue will maintain a 4% growth trajectory in 2018 to $30.9 billion, which would represent the eighth consecutive year of growth for the market and a new all-time high.”

Upskilling Continues to be a Challenge

The Conference Board Chief Economist Gad Levanon and Associate Economist Frank Steemers blogged that “in late 2017, it took an average of 25% more days to fill a vacancy compared with 2007” and points to upskilling as part of the challenge making hiring more difficult.

By |2018-02-23T02:35:55+00:00February 23rd, 2018|Categories: Talent Acquisition Trends|Comments Off on By the Numbers: February 23, 2018

About the Author:

Erin Geiger is a seasoned Content, Editorial, and Product Engagement professional with two decades of experience creating content as well as overall content direction and strategy. Her background stems from a variety of online verticals ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations.