Ask the expert: Ali Foroshani

What motivates a candidate to move from one employer to another is far more complicated than the salary that is on offer – although, of course, that does play a part. And, what held true in the boom years is certainly very, very different now.

We have recently conducted some research among nearly 8000 workers as well as job seekers, in a bid to find out exactly what attributes attract people to join a particular organisation. The results may surprise you.

Long-term job security is actually the most important factor in choosing to work for a specific company in 2012, followed by financial health. An attractive salary and benefits package only came in at third place.

Clearly, the brutal start to the recession in 2008 is continuing to cast a long shadow and a company’s stability is worth its weight in gold.

When we drilled down further, however, we found a distinct gender split. While every job hunt is far too individual to make sweeping statements, we did discover that men more often prefer financially sound companies with strong management that offer career prospects.

Women, on the other hand and very generally speaking, look more for flexible working, accessibility, atmosphere and interesting job content.

Ali Foroshani
Senior consultant, Randstad Financial & Professional’s insurance division