Hiring Process Hurdles
Survey: Attracting Applicants, Setting the Right Salary Are Key Recruiting Challenges for Creative Executives
MENLO PARK, Calif., Sept. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- What's the hardest part of the hiring process? According to research by staffing firm The Creative Group, generating interest from qualified candidates is the biggest obstacle for 31 percent of advertising and marketing executives. Another 28 percent said developing compensation packages and negotiating salaries is their greatest challenge.
Presenting a competitive job offer is crucial for sealing the deal with top applicants. When asked to name the most common reason candidates decide not to join their company, 27 percent of executives surveyed said it's because their compensation and benefits are lower than expected.
View an infographic of the survey findings.
"Hiring creative talent is getting increasingly harder as demand remains strong and unemployment rates in the industry continue to trend below the average," said Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group. "Since it's a candidate's market, employers must step up their recruitment efforts in order to secure the talent they seek."
Advertising and marketing executives were asked, "Which one of the following aspects of the hiring process do you find the most difficult?" Their responses:
| Generating interest from qualified candidates |
31% |
| Developing compensation packages and negotiating salaries |
28% |
| Reviewing application materials |
14% |
| Creating job descriptions |
13% |
| Asking the right interview questions |
10% |
| Don't know |
3% |
| 99%* |
Executives were also asked, "Which one of the following is the most common reason candidates turn down a job offer from your company?" Their responses:
| Accepted another job offer or counteroffer |
35% |
| Compensation and benefits are lower than expected |
27% |
| Limited opportunities for career growth or advancement |
17% |
| Poor fit with the job description |
9% |
| Limited employee perks |
7% |
| Poor fit with the corporate culture |
3% |
| Not applicable |
1% |
| 99%* |
| *Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding. |
According to the newly released Salary Guide from The Creative Group, starting compensation for creative professionals is expected to increase 3.6 percent in 2017. In-demand positions, such as user experience and mobile designers, are likely to see even bigger gains. "Salary may not be the only consideration for job seekers, but companies that aren't paying competitively stand little chance of attracting -- much less landing -- highly skilled candidates," Domeyer added.
More information about the hiring process and compensation trends, including salary data for more than 120 positions in the creative field, can be found in The Creative Group 2017 Salary Guide, available at roberthalf.com/creativegroup/salary-center.
About the Research
The survey was developed by The Creative Group and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from 400 U.S. advertising and marketing executives.
About The Creative Group
The Creative Group (TCG) specializes in connecting interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations talent with the best companies on a project, contract-to-hire and full-time basis. For more information, including job-hunting services and candidate portfolios, visit roberthalf.com/creativegroup. Follow TCG's blog at roberthalf.com/creativegroup/blog for career and management advice.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160928/412903-INFO
SOURCE The Creative Group
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