Jobseeker Preferences & Trends 2016 - Jobs.ac.uk · Preferences & Trends 2016. To gain a greater insight into the key drivers and preferences of international academic jobseekers

Jobseeker Preferences & Trends 2016

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Welcome

How will higher education institutions and jobs.ac.uk benefit from this insight and research?

• It will help us tailor and improve the targeting of content on jobs.ac.uk and keep evolving to better meet the changing needs of recruiters and jobseekers

• It will help institutions worldwide gain a better understanding of some of the most important trends and challenges facing global academics

• It will help us to advise recruiters on how they should present, structure and write their job adverts to engage, motivate and inspire academic jobseekers to apply

• It will help universities to improve their recruitment process, build stronger relationships with jobseekers and deliver a competitive advantage at a time when competition has never been higher

About the survey

We surveyed a total of 17,105 jobseekers who visited our website between January and March 2016. The survey included 54 questions that focused on the demographics of our jobseekers and their job seeking habits and preferences. It took around 15 minutes to complete.

Welcome to our 4th Jobseeker Preferences & Trends 2016. To gain a greater insight into the key drivers and preferences of international academic jobseekers in 2016, we carried out an online survey of over 17,000 jobseekers who visited jobs.ac.uk.

Our survey set out to find the answers to some important questions. Which countries are academics most interested in relocating to? What are the key motivators that influence their decision-making when it comes to international relocation? What concerns might academics have regarding relocation? And what key bits of information do academics look for in international job adverts.

After analysing a large amount of demographic data from our survey respondents, we were able to develop a detailed profile of our jobseekers. We identified the age groups, countries, disciplines, expertise levels and job industries of our survey respondents.

We were also able to gain a better understanding of the usage and penetration of jobs.ac.uk across different groups of academics and professionals. All of this data has given us a greater insight into the preferences and job-search needs of our community of jobseekers.

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Key findings

• Other than the UK, the top three locations academics would consider moving to are Canada (91%), USA (90%) & Republic of Ireland (88%)

• The three most enticing reasons for accepting an academic opportunity abroad are - career progression, increased salary & research opportunities

• The three main factors that would prevent academics accepting an opportunity abroad are - safety & security, lower salary and a lack of research funding

jobs.ac.uk attracts a diverse, experienced and highly educated audience across all disciplines. 92% have a Degree, Masters or Doctorate while almost half have over 10 years’ work experience.

A large number of jobseekers within the jobs.ac.uk online community are international with 33% of respondents based outside of the UK. Many are also bilingual or multilingual. The top five languages spoken by our jobseekers (in addition to English) are French, Spanish, German, Italian and Hindu.

The opportunities and content on the jobs.ac.uk website attracts a relevant and qualified audience. Since 2015 there has been a 43% increase in the number of jobseekers from higher education/academic research. The majority of jobseekers are academics, researchers and administrators who work in higher education. However jobs.ac.uk also attracts a significant number of jobseekers from government and such sectors as healthcare, pharmaceuticals and telecoms.

Executive Summary

Two thirds of respondents visit jobs.ac.uk first before any other competitor.

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• Flexibility – Our survey points to ever-increasing flexibility from jobseekers. While nine out of ten respondents seek full-time employment, 56% are willing to consider temporary, interim, seasonal or contracted work

• Global aspirations - Jobseekers are becoming more global and mobile. Demand for international jobs in higher education is incredibly high with nine out of ten jobseekers interested or willing to consider a job abroad

• Attracting people to international opportunities - Career progression, increased salaries and research opportunities are all top factors in the decision process. However the primary concern for jobseekers is over safety and security measures

• Reputation – When applying for roles, the most important consideration for our respondents was the institution’s reputation as a great place to work. The lowest categorised consideration in terms of importance was that a university needed to be highly placed in global rankings

• Employer branding – Our findings about reputation demonstrate that jobseekers look beyond academic credit and want to know more about potential future employers. To attract the best talent, recruiters need to build compelling employer brands and use their recruitment advertising to tell the full story of their organisation

Trends

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Jobseeker Profile

Here we aim to better understand the basic demographic profile of the jobseekers who use jobs.ac.uk. How old are they? What are their qualifications and professions? What jobs do they have? Where do they live? How much do they currently earn? These questions were all part of our survey.

Age35.0 %

30.0 % 33%

28%

21%

9%

1%0.1% 0.4% 2%

5%

25.0 %

20.0 %

15.0 %

10.0 %

5.0 %

0.0 % Under 16

35 - 44

45 - 54

55 - 64

65 or above

16 - 18

19 - 21

22 - 24

25 - 34

Gender

55% 43%

2%

MaleFemale

Prefer not to say

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working status

59%

16%

Full-time (30 hours or more per week)

Not employed

Part-time (less than 30 hours per week)

Retired

Still studying - in my final year

Still studying - not in my final year

15%

1%

7%

2%

614,998

Doctorate (PhD, DPhil)

Masters (MBA MA MSc)

Degree (e.g BA BSc,

B Eng, B Ed, LLB)

Highest Qualification

466,219

20162015

347,646

304,586394,188433,845

Base: 1.5 million unique users per month – taken from the independent ABC audit in January 2015

Key findings• 92% of our jobseekers have a Degree (20%), Masters (31%) or Doctorate (41%)

• Our jobseekers are constantly growing and developing professionally with a 42% increase in jobseekers possessing a Doctorate compared to last year

7

30%

35.0%

30.0%

25.0%

20.0%

15.0%

10.0%

5.0%

0.0%

14%

8% 7%6% 5% 5%

4% 4% 4%2% 1%

Career progression / prospects

Change in location / better com

mute

Better compensation /

salary and benefits

Change in role

More challenging w

ork

I am looking for w

ork experience

Actively searching and applying for jobs

I have recently graduated

I have recently been made

unemployed/redundant

Better quality / more

innovative employer

Improved w

ork/life balance

Increased job security

Change in industry

Just browsing but may apply if they find something appealing

Active & Passive

Reasons for jobseeking

45%55%Active Passive

28

3%5%

9%

18% 18%

48%

11%6% 2%Internship / work experience

Paid research training (e.g. PhD job)

Voluntary

type of job sought

Years of work experience

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

None

Less than one year

1 - 2 Years

3-5 Years

6-10 years

More than 10 years

89%

30%

26%

Permanent

Temporary / interim / seasonal

Contract

This question was based on multiple answers across sectors

9

Have you worked or studied abroad before?

55% 45%Yes No

Whilst abroad, In which regions have you worked/studied?

Europe (EU)

UK

North America and Caribbean

asia

Africa

Australasia

Europe

Middle East

South America

Central America

52%

34%

23%

18%

9%

9%

7%

6%

4%

2%

210

number of CANDIDATES BY REGION

Region 2015 2016UK 959,321 1,017,655

Europe (EU and non-EU) 233,476 218,759

Asia 107,743 87,632North America & Caribbean 65,514 67,402Africa 52,550 50,207Australasia 19,635 29,517Middle East 22,216 22,253Central & South America 15,482 14,897

of our audience come from outside the UK

33%

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Key findings

• There has been an increase in candidates from the UK, North America and Middle East

• The number of jobs.ac.uk users in Australasia has grown by 9,882 since 2015


212

Key findings

• Since 2015 the most common salary group has moved upwards from £20k - £30k to £30 - £40k

SALARY1%

4%

6%

20%

11%

9%

8%

13%

5%

£100,000 and over

£60,000 and £99,999

£50,000 and £59,999

Top 15 international languages190,049

132,732

90,499

48,266

39,216

36,200

36,200

30,166

French

Spanish

Italian

Greek

portuguese

russian

arabic

urdu

108,599German

69,383Hindi

11%£40,000 and £49,999

£30,000 and £39,999

£25,000 and £29,999

£20,000 and £24,999

£15,000 and £19,999

Up to £14,999

Non Salaried (Volunteer)

Key findings

• The jobs.ac.uk audience is fluent in a variety of languages

• The majority of jobseekers state that they speak and/or read English to a near native standard


25,641

25,641

19,608

18,100

16,592

Mandarin

Dutch

bengali

polish

tamil

13

Industry Sector

Higher Education

Further Education

Health / Care

Primary / Secondary Education

Government

Research / Science

Charity / Voluntary

Retail

Telecommunications, Technology, Internet & Electronics

Advertising, Marketing, Design and Creative

Banking & Financial Services

Hospitality and catering

Law

Engineering

Food & Beverages

Entertainment & Leisure

Pharmaceuticals

Construction, Machinery and Homes

Manufacturing

Utilities, Energy, and Extraction

Agriculture

Housing / Regeneration / Environment

Business Support & Logistics

Accountancy

Recruitment and HR

Transport and Logistics

Defence

Travel

Automotive

Consumer goods

Airlines & Aerospace

Emergency services

Security

Insurance

14,188

10,641

10,641

10,198

9,311

8,867

8,867

7,981

6,651

5,320

5,320

5,320

4,877

4,877

4,434

3,990

3,990

3,990

3,547

3,547

3,104

2,660

2,217

2,217

1,773

1,330

67,086

59,412

41,677

39,017

32,809

31,923

22,612

Key findings

• There has been a significant growth in jobseekers from universities using jobs.ac.uk since 2015 with a significant 208,415 (52%) increase

• This shows that jobs.ac.uk is more relevant to its audience than it was in 2015

611,667


214

Current HE jobseeker roles

Key finding

The number of jobseekers from the academic sector on jobs.ac.uk has grown by 156,172 (43%) compared to our 2015 survey

Academic / academic research

ACADEMIC ROLE BREAKDOWN

research

Admin / secretarial

General / executive management

Scientific

IT

HR / training / Recruitment

Advertising, marketing and pr

Engineering

Accountancy / finance

Customer Service

Creative / artistic / design

social work / community work / public services

Legal

Consulting / Strategy

Sales

banking / financial services

manufacturing / production (including food / beverages)

Fundraising

Skilled trade (eg. plumber, electrician etc.)

Retail

Law enforcement

Construction / Civil engineer

catering

Healthcare (including allied healthcare) medical / Pharmaceutical

520,620

70,066

49,667

39,024

26,607

20,399

13,304

13,304

11,530

10,643

7,982

7,982

6,208

4,435

4,435

2,661

2,661

1,774

1,774

877

877

877

877

877

9,643


15

Academic role breakdown

59,962

53,759

44,454

36,701

26,879

26,363

25,846

24,812

23,778

21,710

12,406

11,372

10,855

10,855

7,754

5,169

2,585

1,551

1,034

517

PhD

Senior Lecturer

Research Fellow

Research Associate

Assistant Professor

Associate Professor

Teaching Fellow

Research Assistant

Professor

Tutor

Head of Department

Senior Research Fellow

Research Scientist

EFL / ESOL / ESP / EAP Teacher

Reader

Senior Research Scientist

Dean

Chair

Vice Chancellor

Pro Vice Chancellor

Lecturer 86,841


216

45,310

40,676

32,953

31,408

28,834

28,819

28,819

27,289

26,259

20,595

19,051

13,387

13,387

12,872

12,872

8,753

6,179

5,149

2,060

Biological Sciences

Social Sciences and Social Care

Business and Management Studies

Psychology

Physical and Environmental Sciences

Engineering and Technology

Education Studies (including TEFL)

Health and Medical

Politics and Goverment

Law

Creative Arts and Design

Economics

Computer Science

Media and Communications

Mathematics and Statistics

Architecture, Building and Planning

Agriculture, Food and Verterinary

Sport and Leisure

Information management and Libarianship

Main academic subject area

Languages, Literature and Culture 56,637

Historical and Philosophical Studies 54,063


17

1,372

29,995

12,133

7,527

3,707

1,217

761

378

306

306

228

150

78

Healthcare Sector Breakdown

Pharmaceutical Sector Breakdown

National healthcare e.g. NHS (UK)

Private sector / Independent healthcare

Local government

Not for profit / registered charity

Clinical Research

Biotech / R&D

Services

Healthcare

Veterinary

Manufacturing

Devices

OTC (over the counter)

Ethical


218

of academics would accept or consider an academic opportunity abroad

In this section of our survey, we aim to gain a better understanding of the jobs academics aspire to have and the key drivers and motivators that shape their mobility. We asked all kinds of questions. What jobs are our users looking for? What factors motivate or demotivate our jobseekers when searching or considering international job opportunities? Which countries do our jobseekers aspire to work in? What information do they find vital when considering a potential job?

Jobseeker Preferences

Key finding

Compared to 2015, there has been a 1% increase in those who might consider moving abroad

90%19%

10%

71%Yes

No

Maybe

19

We asked survey respondents to rate their interest in working in specific regions and countries (outside of their home country).

UK

Switzerland

Sweden

Republic of Ireland

Norway

Italy

Holland

Germany

Finland

Denmark

95% 4%

64% 24%

63% 25%

62% 27%

61% 24%

58% 28%

58% 28%

52% 30%

48% 30%

45% 32%

Europe

Yes Maybe

Which countries would academics work in?

Canada

USA

Australia

New Zealand

Japan

Singapore

Hong Kong

South Korea

Malaysia

China

India

Russia

Brunei

Kazakhstan

73%

71%

63%

59%

41%

37%

34%

25%

21%

20%

17%

14%

14%

14%

23%

27%

26%

28%

25%

25%

27%

24%

24%

21%

18%

18%

19%

22%

USA, Canada & Asia Pacific

Yes Maybe

Key finding

• Compared to 2015, there has been a 14% increase in jobseekers looking to work in Australia and New Zealand

• Compared to 2015, there has been a 9% increase in jobseekers looking to work in China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

220

United Arab Emirates

Qatar

Israel

Oman

Saudi Arabia

Kuwait

Morocco

Jordan

Bahrain

Lebanon

Egypt

Tunisia

Iran

Algeria

Yemen

Libya

Iraq

Yes Maybe

Middle East21%

17%

15%

11%

11%

11%

11%

9%

9%

8%

7%

7%

6%

5%

3%

2%

19%

17%

18%

15%

12%

14%

18%

16%

14%

15%

15%

15%

11%

12%

10%

8%

7%

Key finding

Compared to 2015, there has been a 3% increase in jobseekers looking to work in the UAE and Qatar

3%

21

79%

68%

What factors would attract you to accept a position abroad

Survey respondents were given a list of over 20 factors. We asked them to mark those that best described what would make accepting an international academic job more appealing and those that would dissuade them from considering an international opportunity.

65%

54%

52%

51%

49%

43%

35%

33%

21%

20%

17%

10%

6%

6%

Career progression

Increased salary

Research opportunities

To work with highly cited academics / prestigous

To experience a new culture

To enhance my global academic profile

Improved research funding

Better standard of research facilities

Improved climate

Greater flexibility to publish research

To move closer to family / friends

Work with more committed students

To live closer to site of research

To pursue a teaching only position

Freedom to practice religion

Being able to be open about sexuality

Key finding

In 2015 research opportunities were considered the most attractive factor for attracting academics to international opportunities In 2016 career progression was the most important factor.

222

Safety and security

Lower salary

Lack of research funding

Lack of support for research

Limitations / opposition to research

Political

Partner’s job prospects

Cost of living

Language

Limited career progression

Isolation from leading academics

Lack of research equipment / facilities

Leaving friends and family

Job stability / longevity

Disruption to the family

Lower academic standard of students

Lifestyle / culture

Ageing parents

Climate

Pension

Freedom to practice religion

Being able to be open about sexuality

60%

54%

46%

45%

43%

42%

41%

41%

38%

38%

36%

36%

35%

33%

31%

29%

29%

25%

20%

17%

14%

10%

What factors would prevent you accepting a position abroad

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86%

70%

54%

50%

48%

47%

46%

45%

44%

35%

32%

30%

28%

27%

22%

18%

Essential extra information when applying for academic jobs abroad

Core benefits e.g. salary, pension, annual leave etc

Location and facilities

Job security

Faculty/department/function

Country and its culture

Wider benefits; training, childcare, parking, flexible working, etc

Research output and success

Leading academics work in a faculty or department

Direction and future development

Partner’s career prospects

Academic standard of students

Statistics and ratings about the organisation (e.g. global ranking, research output etc)

Interviews of existing staff and how they have transitioned and found the move to their new employer

Images of facilities and locality

Child education facilities

Sports facilities and lifestyle in the locality

224

Apart from the title, salary and location what are the THREE things that are

most important in a job or PhD advert?

A clear job description

Qualifications required

link to a detailed job pack about the employer and position

link to a person specification

Career development and training information

Workplace information (people, environment, socialising)

Employer stability (last 12 months performance / results)

Ethical and environment information

Employer accreditations (e.g. Investor in People, BSA)

Employer / organisation information

Non-salary benefits

42%

82%

41%

38%

29%

26%

13%

13%

10%

6%

4%

Key finding

A clear job description remains the most important aspect of a job advert

Most important feature when deciding on which employer to join

A reputation as a great place to work

A reputation for great research,

products or services

Been ranked highly in global university

rankings

A reputation for being prestigious

A reputation for great people

53% 5%6%28% 8%

25

Which of the following recruitment websites is the FIRST place you go

to look for a job or PhD?

jobs.ac.uk

linkedin

guardian jobs

Find a phd

5%

66%

3%

3%

2%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

Key findings

• Two thirds of respondents visit jobs.ac.uk first• This means jobs.ac.uk reaches a significant

proportion of the best talent ahead of its competitors

higheredjobs

nature jobs

academic positions

euraxess jobs

times higher education

academia.edu

226

5 steps to successful recruitment advertisingTo help you improve your recruitment advertising and attract the best talent, here are some recommendations based on our analysis:

Whether you’re looking to recruit jobseekers from a specific part of the world or those with specific sector or discipline expertise, ensure that your chosen media targets the right audience. Use reports like this to help you compare the audiences of different job boards and allocate your recruitment advertising budget accordingly.

Ensure that your job advert contains a clear job description. Break up text using bullet points or sub-headings, use short paragraphs and avoid acronyms and technical jargon.

Make sure international academics know about all of the different benefits and ‘attraction factors’ your organisation offers. Think about career development, working with leaders, information about the climate & culture and more.

Consider the reasons why international academics don’t move abroad. These are usually more personal than professional. So reassure and stimulate interest by highlighting practical solutions such as university housing, family services and help to find careers for partners and schools for children.

The majority of global jobseekers agree that the most important factor when considering a new job is whether the prospective employer has a reputation as a great place to work. This underlines that it’s more important than ever to engage with jobseekers by sharing your vision, culture and values in your recruitment advertising.

Choose the right media

Optimise your job advert

Promote the ‘attraction factors’

Address jobseeker concerns

Promote your brand and reputation

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About jobs.ac.ukLaunched in 1998 by the University of Warwick, jobs.ac.uk is the leading global jobs board for careers in academic, research, science and related professions.

From academic, research and managerial roles to PhD programmes and studentships, jobs.ac.uk advertises opportunities for over 7,600 organisations worldwide including universities, research institutions, colleges, charities and commercial organisations.

• 1.5 million unique users per month (ABC audited January 2015)

• Used by 1,000+ universities in over 60 countries including 47 out of 50 top ranked global universities (QS World University Rankings 2015/16)

• 21,000+ job searches per day from UK, USA, Europe, Middle East & Asia Pacific

• 108,000+ jobseekers subscribe to our Jobs by Email service

• Over 10x more effective than other external media for academic and research posts

If you would like to advertise or speak to our team about putting together a targeted or bespoke recruitment campaign, we’d love to hear from you.

Our key statistics

Contact us on +44 (0)24 7657 4140 [email protected] www.jobs.ac.uk

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Jobseeker Preferences & Trends 2016 - Jobs.ac.uk · Preferences & Trends 2016. To gain a greater insight into the key drivers and preferences of international academic jobseekers