LinkedIn employers – are you a leader?

LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network with more than 332 million members worldwide, today reveals its third annual ranking of the most attractive employers among its 17 million members in the UK.

British retailers and US consumer technology firms continue to dominate the top of the rankings, which is based on member activity across the LinkedIn network. Google is the most in-demand company for UK members for the third successive year, while John Lewis has toppled Apple to take second spot. The BBC climbed two places to make its first appearance in the top five, Burberry entered the top ten for the first time, and Harrods made its debut in the top 20. For the second successive year, more than half of the top ten are UK-based companies, with the UK home to 13 of the top 20 in total.

Top 20 most in-demand employers among UK LinkedIn members

1. Google (-)
2. John Lewis (+3)
3. Apple (-1)
4. BP (-1)
5. BBC (+2)
6. Shell (-2)
7. Microsoft (-1)
8. Unilever (+1)
9. Marks and Spencer (+1)
10. Burberry (+2)
11. ITV (-)
12. com (+1)
13. Amazon (+5)
14. AMEC (+6)
15. BAE Systems (+1)
16. Harrods (NE)
17. Carillion (+2)
18. Rolls-Royce (NE)
19. Goldman Sachs (-2)
20. British Airways (-6)

[Brackets, ( ), indicate change in position since 2013; (NE) signifies a new entry]

To view a full list of all the top 50 UK companies included in the LinkedIn InDemand rankings, please visit: www.linkedin-ei.com/indemand/uk/2014

The InDemand rankings were calculated based on an analysis of the 35 billion interactions between the four million companies on LinkedIn and the professional network’s 332 million global members. The analysis included weighted member actions such as viewing employee profiles, visiting company pages, and following companies. LinkedIn was excluded from the rankings for objectivity.

Emerging UK trends –

• High-end at the top-end: while consumers may increasingly be turning to the likes of Lidl and Aldi for their weekly grocery shop, it is high-end and luxury retailers that dominate the InDemand rankings. John Lewis climbed three places to take second spot in the UK rankings from Apple, while Marks and Spencer (9^th, up one place), Burberry (12^th, up two places), and Harrods (16^th, new entry in the top 20) were all also climbers
• Building on success: construction services firm Carillion (17^th, up two places) and natural resources and engineering consultancy AMEC (14^th, up six places) both improved on 2013’s debut appearances in the top 20, pointing to growing confidence in the sector
• Ratings war thaw: the BBC (5^th, up two places) moved into the top five for the first time, while ITV (11^th, non-mover) saw its progress up the rankings abruptly halted after climbing seven places to close the gap on its broadcasting rival in 2013

Commenting on the rankings, Pierre Berlin, senior director of LinkedIn Talent Solutions EMEA, said: “The latest InDemand rankings feature a good deal of movement, with interest in the retail and construction and engineering industries in particular on the up. The competition for UK talent, both domestically and overseas, has never been fiercer, and it is no surprise that those brands investing in their employer brand are reaping the rewards.”