reesmarx europe, a European recruitment firm for technology companies, has announced further findings from a survey of 687 personnel working in the technology sector across Europe. The survey asked a range of questions relating to employment and recruitment experiences, revealing how respondents have found the best roles and the tools and routes they have used to find new positions. The research shows that 33% have used social networks to find a job – LinkedIn being the most popular, with 27% of respondents stating that they’ve secured a job via the network:
Have you ever secured a job via LinkedIn or another social network?
Yes, via LinkedIn 27%
Yes, via another social network 6%
No 67%
“Social networking has become extremely popular for recruitment purposes,” said Glyn Rees, managing partner at reesmarx europe. “Clearly the majority of roles aren’t filled by using social media channels alone, but we’re seeing increasing levels of interest in our own LinkedIn group, as it provides an excellent forum to pair technology firms with the most suitable candidates. By taking care to populate your LinkedIn profile with as much detail as possible, and by keeping it regularly updated with relevant experience, it really helps you to stand out in a forum that is increasingly becoming one of the first places for employers to look when hiring.”
The survey also asked technology personnel questions relating to the job benefits that attract them and the sources for the best roles.
What benefit is most important to you?
Salary 61%
Team 17%
Other 13%
Bonus 6%
Holiday 1%
Pension 1%
Healthcare 1%
Do you find that the best roles are usually available direct, via recruitment firms or through personal contacts?
The best roles are usually available direct 16%
Via recruitment firms 34%
Through personal contacts 50%
“Although half of the respondents find the best roles available to them through their own contacts, in the absence of relevant opportunities through industry connections, recruitment firms are able to provide personnel with the best positions,” continued Rees. “It’s also interesting to see just how important a good team of co-workers is – ahead of bonus, holiday and pension and second only to salary – clearly tech sector personnel see ‘fit’ as a key aspect of their roles.”
Finally, the research revealed that 66% had recruited a former colleague to join them at a new company and headhunting remains commonplace.
Have you ever been head-hunted or used head-hunters to fill a role in the past?
I have been headhunted 79%
I have used headhunters 50%
I have never been headhunted 7%
I have never used headhunters 12%
What would be the most likely factor in you taking a head-hunted role?
More career opportunities 47%
Higher salary 23%
New role is substantially different 10%
Dislike current role 8%
Other 6%
Better location 5%
Better working hours 1%
“It appears employees can still be tempted away for the right opportunity or a higher salary, but interestingly working hours is not a key factor for those headhunted,” concluded Rees.
