todays job seeker report

Today’s Job Seeker Report | 2010 Edition (U.S.) Part 1: General Insights into Today’s Job Seeker | 1

www.simplyhired.com

2010 EDITION (U.S.)

Today’s Job Seeker Report A survey of job seeker behaviors and motivations

Today’s Job Seeker Report | 2010 Edition (U.S.) Contents | 1

PART 1: The Job Search Process

Actively Seeking Work

Job Search Goes Online

Social Networking and Referrals

PART 2: Job Seeker Requirements

Passion for Work

Workplace Preferences

Working Close to Home

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p. 3

p. 4

p. 5

p. 6

p. 7

p. 8

p. 9

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p. 11

p. 12

p. 13

p. 14

p. 15

p. 16

p. 17

p. 18

p. 19

p. 20

PART 3: Changes in the Job Market

Seeking Seasonal Work

Going Green

Transferring Skills to New Careers

The Dream of Self-Employment

PART 4: Job Seeker Groups

Mothers

New Graduates

Workers Over 55

ABOUT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CONTENTS

Today’s Job Seeker Report

Due to the rising popularity of online job search sites,

social networks and personalized search tools, today’s

job seeker is active and selective in the recovering

job market. The current recession has created a new

group of varied candidates —distinctive in their job

search methods and what they want from their career.

Together, these job seekers are proving that the search

is always on for the next great job.

SELECTIVE & PASSIONATE JOB SEEKERS

According to recent polls conducted by Simply Hired,

the ways in which job seekers find their next posi-

tions and their views on what “work” means is varied.

Job seekers are looking to personalized job sites and

social networks to discover jobs, and they want to feel

passionate about the work they do, whether it is by

working at green businesses, doing meaningful work,

or being self-employed.

TECH-SAVVY & SOCIAL JOB SEEKERS

The results of our 2009-2010 polls show that the

Internet is the number one channel for job search,

with 86% of job seekers looking for jobs online. Social

media is also a vital tool for today’s job seeker—32%

find jobs through networking which is moving online,

with LinkedIn (45%) and Facebook (24%) considered

the most effective social networks for job search.

These sites are converging with online job sites to

bring traditional networking online.

ATTRACTING TODAY’S JOB SEEKER

Today’s job seekers are tech-savvy candidates who

hold strong convictions and are not afraid to try

something new. Standard job search tools and a single

method of recruitment are not enough. If employers

adjust their recruitment efforts by connecting with

candidates on popular social networking sites, offering

personalized work benefits and providing flexible

work hours for families, they can reach more eligible

candidates and retain their star employees.

TODAY’S JOB SEEKERS ARE SELECTIVE AND PASSIONATE...

of job seekers will accept summer work to help

support their family

would consider a career change

of older workers state the recession has delayed

their retirement

Executive Summary | 2Today’s Job Seeker Report | 2010 Edition (U.S.)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Today’s Job Seeker ReportToday’s job seeker is part of a selective, independent and passionate group actively searching for work through social networking and personalized online job sites

of job seekers would rather have a job they love

than a job that pays well

said that healthcare/insurance is non-negotiable

would prefer to work for green-certified companies

would rather work from home doing

contract jobs for various companies than work

full-time in an office for one company (41%)

of mothers would want a job with better family

benefits or schedule flexibility while 44% of

fathers would rather be a stay-at-home dad

88%

65%

57%

...BUT SOME MAY HAVE TO SETTLE

83%

46%

52%59%

38%

Part 1: The Job Search Process | 3Today’s Job Seeker Report | 2010 Edition (U.S.)

Part 1: The Job Search Process

Today’s Job Seeker Report | 2010 Edition (U.S.) Part 1: The Job Search Process | 4

While some of the currently-employed remain on the lookout for new job opportuni-

ties, many of those seeking work are in dire need of it, with 69% of job seekers on

SimplyHired.com being unemployed. Most have been laid off from their previous

positions and have been out of work for more than six months.

WHY ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A JOB? HOW LONG DO YOU SPEND SEARCHING FOR A JOB EACH WEEK?

With the national unemployment rate close to 10%, more people than ever are look-

ing for jobs in this tough economy: the average job seeker sends up to 10 resumes

per week, 20% spend 36 hours or more per week job searching and 53% spend all

day, every day, seeking work.

ACTIVELY SEEKING WORK

Laid off

Fired

Career change

Returning to workforce

Relocating

Better opportunity

Supplemental income

Less than 5 hours

6–15 hours

16–25 hours

26–35 hours

11%

26%

22%

21%

20%36 hoursor more

45%

8%

6%

8%

7%

20%

6%


The days of face-to-face applications and newspaper ads are dwindling: 86% of job

seekers search online using various job boards (36%), company career sites (27%)

and social networking websites (19%). For tech-savvy new grads, that number is

higher; 88% of recent graduates plan to search for their first job out of college on

online job search sites.

WHERE DO YOU PREFER TO FIND JOB LISTINGS?

JOB SEARCH GOES ONLINE

Networking

RecruiterCompany

career site

19%

36%

7%

27%

11% Staffing agency

86%

Job board

The online job search has become increasingly personalized and social in nature.

Job seekers today leverage both professional and social networks to find

previously unknown connections at companies of interest.

– Gautam Godhwani, Co-founder and CEO of Simply Hired

WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR JOBS?

Internet

Networking

Newspaper

Outplacement agency

Staffing agency

Recruiter

Professional organizations

College career center

10%

32%

29%

39%

23%

19%

9%


In today’s job market, it’s all about who you know, with over half of workers having

been hired through a friend’s referral at some point. In fact, 37% of job seekers

landed their last position through someone they know, whether it be through

networking on sites like LinkedIn (45%) and Facebook (24%), or attending

WHICH SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES DO YOU USE IN YOUR JOB SEARCH? HOW DID YOU GET YOUR LAST JOB?

networking events. Job search is no longer an individual process, with almost one out

of three job seekers preferring to find new jobs through networking. In fact, 58% of job

seekers tell everyone they know that they are looking for a new job with the hope that

someone can help out.

SOCIAL NETWORKING AND REFERRALS

20%

13%

15%

37%

15%

Job board

Recruiter

Company career site

Staffing agency

Networking

I don’t use social networks

Twitter

MySpace

LinkedIn

Plaxo

Facebook

Other

24%

8%

3%

11%

45%

36%

7%

Part 2: Job Seeker Requirements | 7Today’s Job Seeker Report | 2010 Edition (U.S.)

Part 2: Job Seeker Requirements

Today’s Job Seeker Report | 2010 Edition (U.S.) Part 2: Job Seeker Requirements | 8

Get a raise

Get a promotion

Find a job I love

Challenge myself

None

While salary and benefits are important, today’s job seeker is looking for more than

a career—they want a labor of love. Although jobs are currently hard to come by, the

main career goal in 2010 for 83% of job seekers was to find a job they love and not

“just a job.” And it’s the work itself that makes job seekers love their job. A recent

WHAT WOULD MAKE A JOB, A JOB YOU LOVE? WOULD YOU RATHER...

Find a job you love for lower pay? 83% 17%Find a job that

pays well thatyou don’t like?

WHAT CAREER GOAL DO YOU HAVE FOR 2010?

poll found that 38% say doing something meaningful is the biggest motivation at

work, and when faced with the choice between finding a job they love or one that

pays well, an overwhelming 5 out of 6 job seekers stated they’d rather have a job

they love than bring in the big bucks.

PASSION FOR WORK

The people

The location

The pay

The benefits

8%

37%

20%

6%

29%

4%

3%

83%

8%

2%

The work


Despite the high unemployment rate, many job seekers aren’t willing to budge on

what they want from their job. Whether it’s mobility, flexibility, a short commute or

benefits, job seekers won’t settle for an opportunity that doesn’t fit their lifestyle:

46% of job seekers said that healthcare/insurance is non-negotiable, 46% said work-

ing close to home is important and 60% said they would prefer to telecommute.

HOW IMPORTANT IS LOCATION IN YOUR SEARCH?

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERENCE TOWARDS GREEN COMPANIES?

WHAT WORK-RELATED BENEFIT OR AMENITY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE FOR YOU?

Beyond the standard benefits, job seekers are stating new requirements, such as the

demand for green jobs, with 52% preferring green companies and opportunities for

learning and career growth (40%). However, they are willing to give up benefits they

don’t find important—21% of job seekers would give up their office to keep a job and

14% would give up their vacation days.

WORKPLACE PREFERENCES

I need to work close to home

It depends on the job

I’ll go where the jobs are

I prefer them

I avoid them

Not sure

30%

52%

19%

29%

24%

46%

Stock options

401(k)/Retirement

options

Healthcare/Insurance

Salary

Commute/Transportation

25%

2%

8%

46%

7%

12%

Length of vacation time


Job seekers have spoken: they want to work as close to home as possible. While

some would consider relocating for a job depending on the opportunity, more

than half of job seekers would prefer to telecommute than work in an office and

most would turn down a job that they felt to be too far away. With 71% of workers

HOW FAR FROM HOME ARE YOU WILLING TO WORK? WOULD YOU RELOCATE FOR A JOB?

driving themselves to work—as opposed to taking public transportation (20%) and

carpooling with others (3%)—user polls found that 43% of job seekers will consider

working 30 minutes to an hour from home, while 38% want to work less than 30

minutes away.

WORKING CLOSE TO HOME

19%

22%

4%

18%

37%

No way

Absolutely

It depends on the company

It depends on the job offer

It depends on the location

90 minutes to 2 hours

More than 2 hours

An hour to 90 minutes

Less than 30 minutes

38%

12%

43%

4%

3%

30 minutes to an hour

Part 3: Changes in the Job Market | 11Today’s Job Seeker Report | 2010 Edition (U.S.)

Part 3: Changes in the Job Market

Today’s Job Seeker Report | 2010 Edition (U.S.) Part 3: Changes in the Job Market | 12

More than half of job seekers did not plan to take a vacation this summer because

most were actively looking for work. Poll findings state that over half of job seekers

were looking for summer work to help support their family. On average, job seekers

find jobs online and 65% are looking for full-time summer work. The most popular

seasonal work is in the tourism industry, followed by retail and office work.

WHY ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SUMMER JOB?

DO YOU PLAN TO TAKE A VACATION THIS SUMMER?

HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY FIND A SUMMER JOB?

SEEKING SEASONAL WORK

Extra spending money

Yes, can’t wait!

Pay for school

Maybe - if I can afford it

Gain work experience

Maybe - if I can get time off

Help support my family

No, no plans

17%

14%

18%

51%

15%

26%

3%

56%

8%

19%

6%

58%

9%

Taking a part-time or temporary position during the summer or holiday season

can be a way to get a foot-in-the-door at any company, and could lead to full-

time employment in the future or referrals to other jobs.


Friends or family

Newspaper

Other

Through an existing job or activity Search

online


In December 2009, President Obama signed into law the 2010 Consolidated

Appropriations Act, which features the first ever report that will measure

“green-collar” jobs to identify green economic activity, according to the U.S. Bureau

of Labor Statistics. This is evidence that going green in the workplace is not just a

trend—it may become a standard.

WHICH GREEN FIELD WILL BE IN MOST NEED IN UPCOMING YEARS? WHICH ECO-FRIENDLY INITIATIVE DO YOU LOOK FOR AT POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS?

In fact, for many job seekers, it already is: 52% of people would prefer to work

at green-certified companies. And many believe alternative energy production is the

hot green field for the upcoming years, followed by green construction and retrofit-

ting. The most sought out eco-initiative at potential companies is recycling, followed

by reduced energy use and paper usage.

GOING GREEN

20%

58%

36%

36%

22%

Carpooling/Rideshares

Recycling

Using less paper

Purchasing green products

Reducing energy use

13%

60%18%

9%

Alternative energy

production

Eco-friendly products

Natural resource

conservation

Green building construction &

retrofitting


As opportunities in certain industries decrease and new industries appear, many job

seekers are now looking to transfer their job skills to new careers. More than half of

job seekers would consider a career change, either because they can’t find a job in

their industry (37%) or they are unhappy with their current career (28%). Another

23% would consider a career change depending on the opportunity.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER A CAREER CHANGE? IS YOUR CURRENT CAREER RELEVANT TO YOUR COLLEGE MAJOR?

To break into a new career, job seekers are willing to start at the bottom: 35% of job

seekers would return to school for a career change, 10% would take an unpaid intern-

ship and another 42% would consider an internship depending on the experience or

company. The number of career hoppers isn’t surprising when you consider this: 53%

of workers are already in a career that’s not even relevant to their college major.

TRANSFERRING SKILLS TO NEW CAREERS

Yes

Somewhat

Not even close

26%

21%

53%

28%

37%

7%

23%

5%

Yes, unhappy with current career

Yes, can’t find a job in current career

No, I love what I do

No, too late to learn something new

Maybe, depends on the opportunity


The days of working “nine-to-five” are becoming less common, as some profes-

sionals are choosing the self-employment route. Recent polls found that if given the

choice, 59% of job seekers would prefer to work from home doing contract jobs for

various companies rather than working full-time in an office for one company (41%).

WOULD YOU EVER START YOUR OWN COMPANY? WHY MIGHT YOU CONSIDER WORKING AS A CONTRACTOR?

Benefits such as being able to work from home (31%) and setting your own hours

(25%) are alluring, especially for parents. But the biggest attraction is being able

to choose work that you like (34%), and job seekers want to be in charge: 28% of

workers would start their own company and another 36% would consider it.

THE DREAM OF SELF-EMPLOYMENT

10%

34%

25%

31%

I can work from home

I can set my own rate

I can set my own hours

I can choose the work I like

Definitely

No way Already have

Possibly, I’d consider it

28%

18% 18%

36%

Today’s Job Seeker Report | 2010 Edition (U.S.) Part 4: Job Seeker Groups | 16

Part 4: Job Seeker Groups


After standard maternity leave (three months off to care for children after birth or

adoption) mothers are returning to the workforce in large numbers, preferring part-

time (33%) and full-time (34%) work to being a stay-at-home mom (33%). Two out

of five mothers are looking for jobs at employers that support working mothers.

WHICH KIND OF WORKING MOTHER PROGRAM IS MOST IMPORTANT? AS A WORKING MOM, ARE YOU INTERESTED IN CHANGING JOBS?

Mothers state their biggest concern is their work/life balance: they need flexible

schedules most of all, as well as childcare services and the option to telecommute.

More than half of mothers polled would consider changing jobs to receive a better

pay, and 38% would want a job with better family benefits or schedule flexibility.

MOTHERS

Yes, for better family benefits/flexibility

Yes, for more pay/better opportunity

No

38%

51%

11%

43%

18%

14%

4%

3%

18%Telecommuting

Flextime schedules

Job-sharing

Compressed workweeks

Child care services

Parental leave (e.g. child sick days)


Recent graduates may have the benefit of a fresh perspective, high energy and a

quality education, but only one out of five graduates is employed at the time of

graduation. Most new grads are seeking associate/assistant titles in their first job

out of college and the most important quality of a first job for new grads is the

opportunity to learn and develop their career; second is salary.

DID YOU HAVE A JOB LINED UP WHEN YOU GRADUATED? WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT IN YOUR FIRST JOB?

NEW GRADUATES

Salary & benefits

Opportunities to learn & develop career

Challenging work

Testing possible career paths

Growing your professional network

Work/life balance

Finding a great mentor

25%

5%

40%

3%

4%

17%

6%

Hiring organizations are very interested in bringing on young professionals because

of their energy and willingness to get the job done, even if that means early morn-

ings and late nights. They also come at a lower cost than seasoned professionals.


Yes, all set

No, took a while No, found one soon after

No, still looking

20%

22% 15%

43%


The recession has delayed retirement for more than half of job seekers who, on

average, expect to retire after age 70. Not only are older people working full-time

later into life, but 44% also expect to work part-time even when retired. According to

a 2009 report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, concerns about financial

security is the main reason workers are postponing retirement altogether (89%).

HAS THE RECESSION AFFECTED YOUR RETIREMENT PLANS?

WHEN DO YOU PLAN TO RETIRE?

DO YOU PLAN TO WORK REDUCED HOURS WHILE IN RETIREMENT?

Mature workers, although valued for their level of experience and outstanding work

ethic, say that online job search favors younger workers, and believe that technical

skills requirements put them at a disadvantage. However, seasoned workers are

growing their presence online: the age category of 55+ on Facebook has increased

by an overwhelming 922% since 2009, according to iStrategyLabs.

WORKERS OVER 55

Yes

No

Not sure

44%

28%

28%Before 55

Yes, delayed my retirement

56–60

Yes, forced me to retire early

61–65

Somewhat, had to re-evaluate

66–70

Not at all

After 70

57%

9%

21%

13%

7%

11%

24%

27%

31%

About | 20Today’s Job Seeker Report | 2010 Edition (U.S.)

ABOUT THESE POLLS USING THIS DATA ABOUT SIMPLY HIRED

Stay Connectedwww.simplyhired.com

www.twitter.com/simplyhired

www.facebook.com/simplyhired

Simply Hired, Inc.

2513 Charleston Rd., Suite 200

Mountain View, CA 94043

+1 650.930.1000© 2010 Simply Hired, Inc.

Simply Hired, Inc. conducted over 75 user polls on its

SimplyHired.com property from August 2009 through

August 2010. Each poll ran for more than two weeks

and received at least 500 votes and 1.5 million impres-

sions on average. Not all poll results included in this

report are displayed visually.

PRESS CONTACTAllison Bedard

Schwartz Communications

ph: +1 415.512.0770

[email protected]

Simply Hired, Inc. grants permission to freely copy,

publish and repurpose the data included in this report

for media, education, research and the promotion of

this work, provided that no changes or alterations are

made to excerpts. Full attribution of authorship must

be made to “SimplyHired.com” and include a link to

our homepage, http://www.simplyhired.com. Any

images directly from this report must be shown with

the following copyright notice below the graphic:

“© 2010 Simply Hired, Inc.”

With more than seven million job listings worldwide,

Simply Hired (www.simplyhired.com) is the world’s

largest job search engine and recruitment advertising

network. The company powers jobs on over 10,000

network partner sites, and operates global sites in 21

countries and ten languages on six continents. Simply

Hired has raised $22.3 million in funding from venture

and individual investors including Foundation Capital,

IDG Ventures and News Corporation. The company is

privately held and is based in Mountain View, California.

todays job seeker report

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