LinkedIn released the findings of its report, “Inside the Mind of Today’s Candidates” that provides insights into the behaviors, motivations, and preferences of professionals looking for jobs in India.

LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network on the internet today, released the findings of its report, “Inside the Mind of Today’s Candidates” that provides insights into the behaviors, motivations, and preferences of professionals looking for jobs in India. Moreover, the report empowers employers with data-driven insights on how talent is approaching opportunities and the various stages of the job switching journey.

Key findings from the report include:

Most Indian professionals want to hear about new job opportunities - Ninety-one percent (91%) of Indian professionals are interested in hearing about job opportunities, and 46% ‘feel flattered’ when they hear from recruiters. This trend continues from last year wherein 90% Indian professionals expressed that they are interested in hearing about new jobs.  Based on this sentiment, LinkedIn rolled out ‘Open Candidates’ feature in India in March 2017 that enables professionals to privately signal to recruiters that they are open to hearing from them by flicking a switch on their profile.

Compensation remains the main reason why people switch job - Higher compensation (45%) remains the top reason why people are likely to change their jobs. Additionally, 37% showed interest in knowing the salary range during the interview process. Intrinsic motivators also remain important, with 40% of professionals stating that better skills and interest fit, and 32% of professionals stating that better growth opportunities, will make them switch jobs.

Indian professionals are motivated by a sense of purpose - Fifty five percent (55%) of Indian professionals are motivated to pursue opportunities that match both their personal and professional interests. Further, 52% are interested in learning about the perks and benefits that come with the role and 45% want to work for a company they have always admired.

A high percentage of professionals use social media and digital platforms to look up job opportunities - Company websites (48%) and professional networks such as LinkedIn (44%) are the most preferred platforms for Indian professionals to research new opportunities before applying. While preparing for an interview, 49% of candidates visit company websites, 47% use search engines, and 35% use professional networks such as LinkedIn to learn about the company and its employees, and the position being offered. Social media is used by 63% of professionals to follow companies and stay aware of jobs.

Candidates prefer a more ‘personalised’ approach in the recruitment process - Candidates want to have more dialogue with companies.  For 45% of the professionals, a conversation with the company’s leadership team during the interview process led to a positive experience. The respondents also showed a preference for a visit to the workplace for the interview (54%) and conversations with the company’s present employees (41%) to get a ‘feel’ of the company culture and to decide whether they fit in.

Professionals likely to stay at firms that offer growth, recognition and value work-life balance - Growth prospects and opportunities are key motivators for Indian professionals to continue working at an organisation. The top three reasons why they would like to continue working with a company were: Opportunities to challenge oneself and up skill (62%), good work-life balance (42%), and an optimistic future for the company (37%).

“Candidates today want the same recruiting experience from companies that they get from brands” said Irfan Abdulla, Director – Talent Solutions & Learning Solutions, LinkedIn India and South Asia. “Personalised service in the way they are treated, insight into the company’s purpose and better value in the form of salary and career growth are important considerations when making a job switch. Employers need to ensure that they are authentic in building their employer brand and are amplifying their story on their social and digital channels”, he added.