Global Candidate Preferences Research

The world is facing a growing talent shortage. Employers are struggling to attract and retain candidates, threatening productivity, efficiency and future growth.

ManpowerGroup knows candidates. Through our ongoing Candidate Preferences Research, we explore an array of candidate behaviors and motivators aimed at helping organizations optimize their talent strategies.

About the Methodology

Talent Solutions RPO uncovered what impacts the candidate experience during a job search, including candidate behaviors and motivators when looking for employment. The results revealed important trends impacting retention and recruitment, including what drives candidates to job search, the tools they use, the challenges they face and the extent to which companies play a role in their hiring decisions.

2018 Candidate Research

ManpowerGroup dove deep into the following three topics:

  • Recruiting Technology Adoption
  • Candidates as Consumers
  • Balancing Your Workforce Mix: Planning, Talent Availability & Candidate Preferences

Leveraging the Data

Organizations around the world have incoporated the Candidate Preferences Research into their talent strategies.

Strengthened employer branding to attract the best talent

Responded to candidate demand for flexibility, helping to create a stronger value proposition

Created candidate-facing social media pages on channels that have historically been directed toward consumers

Engaged candidates through interactive content and multi-meda platforms

What Does Success Look Like?

Learn how ManpowerGroup has helped organizations from around the world leverage candidate preferences to optimize their talent strategies.

Global: Consumer Products Market Knowledge

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Global: Expanding Duracell's Geographic Reach

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Global: Exclusive Volume Recruitment

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Global: Helping Improve Our Clients Logistics

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Additional Candidate Insights

  • U.S. | April 2019

    New Marching Orders: What Employers Need to Know About Veteran Candidate Preferences

    Veterans are a highly skilled and motivated candidate pool that employers cannot afford to overlook in today’s tight talent market

    Learn More
  • Global | January 2019

    How We Want to Work

    What Employers Need to Know About Candidate Work Model Preferences

    Learn More
  • Global | October 2018

    Add to Cart: Candidates are Consumers, Too

    The Impact of Candidate Experience on Buying Behaviors

    Learn More
  • Global | July 2018

    Siri, Find Me a New Job: Why Employers Should Adopt a High-Touch/High-Tech Approach to the Job Search

    Qualified candidates are harder than ever to find and employers have attempted to address this challenge by investing in a range of technology tools designed to help them prospect, screen and engage candidates.

  • U.S. | December 2017

    U.S. Finance Services Job Preferences Report

    Inside the Head of Job Seekers: U.S. Finance Candidate Preferences

    New research from Talent Solutions RPO explores career motivators and job search preferences for U.S. financial services candidates, which can help HR and talent acquisition leaders prepare for a potential talent shortage.

    Learn More
  • Global | November 2017

    Swipe Right Report Cover Image

    Swipe Right: Candidate Technology Preferences During the Job Search

    Technology is embedded in everything we do and it has affected most (or nearly all) aspects of the hiring cycle. Candidates use technology to search and apply for jobs. Employers use technology to engage candidates, build talent communities and interview prospects.

    Learn More
  • U.S. | October 2017

    Retail-Report-Thumbnail

    Inside the Head of Job Seekers: U.S. Retail Candidate Preferences Report

    A report from Talent Solutions RPO and the Retail Industry Leaders Association explores how retailers can satisfy the needs and wants of U.S. retail candidates, who rank workplace flexibility as a top priority.

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  • Global | July 2017

    Work, for Me Understanding Candidate Demand for Flexibility

    Workplace flexibility as a talent management policy is no longer an option; it is an essential practice that enables organizations to attract and develop skilled talent. The practice is rapidly becoming a win-win: reflective of employee and employer needs.

    Learn More
  • U.S. | June 2017

    Inside the Head of Job Seekers: U.S. IT Candidate Preferences

    In the ManpowerGroup 2016-17 U.S. Talent Shortage Survey, IT staff ranked second globally among the top 10 hardest jobs to fill. A report from Talent Solutions RPO, based on candidate research, offers insights into U.S. IT candidates preferences as well engagement and recruitment strategies.

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  • Global | April 2017

    The Rise of the Well-Informed Candidate

    This report highlights what matters most to today’s candidates and suggests new strategies and tactics to effectively compete for in-demand talent in this new global marketplace.

  • U.S. | March 2017

    Inside the Heads of Job Seekers

    U.S. - 2017

    Our research revealed that healthcare candidates are unique among job seekers. In order to attract and retain healthcare candidates, employers need to understand their motivations and preferences.

    Learn More
  • Global | November 2016

    Clocking Back In: Boomerang Workers

    This report explores one of the biggest career advancement challenges global candidates face: ageism.

  • Global | August 2016

    Always Looking: The Rise Of Continuous Candidates

    This report reveals how employers can better understand the Continuous Candidate mindset and enhance their efforts to attract and retain the best and brightest employees.

  • Global | May 2016

    Brand Detectives: The New Generation of Global Candidates

    The second report explores one of the most important — yet least understood — new dynamics of candidate preferences: branding and employer-employee trust.

  • Global | March 2016

    Below The Surface: Emerging Global Motivators & Job Search Preferences

    This first report explores the trends that employers need to keep top of mind and highlights a number of universal motivators among candidates around the world.

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What Do You Think?

What is most important to employees when it comes to flexible work arrangements?

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Let's Discuss Your Talent Strategy

An organization’s unique challenge around attracting and retaining candidates requires a personalized approach. As workforce experts, ManpowerGroup finds work for millions of people every year across 80 countries, helping hundreds of thousands of companies attract, assess, develop, and retain skilled workers.

Find out how we can help your organization find and retain the best talent in this era of talent shortage.