Business & Money | Tuesday 23 June, 2015 2:59 pm |

LinkedIn (NYSE:LNKD), the world’s largest professional network, has announced the findings of its 2015 Talent Trends survey into the experiences and perceptions of candidates as they search for jobs, and the factors that will make them consider a new role. Some of the key findings included the fact that, while not actively looking for a new role, 87 per cent of professionals in the KSA are open to relevant job opportunities, while 53 per cent of all candidates are using professional social networks as part of their search for their next role.

The study included responses from over 750 professionals in Saudi Arabia, and offer valuable insights to empower companies more effectively find the best talent in the Kingdom.

Ali Matar, Head of LinkedIn Talent Solutions, MENA, said: “World over, LinkedIn is working to better connect talent with opportunity, and these results offer meaningful insights for companies looking to better attract talent. Our data shows that there is a huge premium placed on the interview experience: first impressions count, and this can be a pivotal moment in the relationship between company and candidate.”

Rise of social media
Responses from the KSA show that today’s job-search is moving online. Fifty-three per cent of respondents use professional social networks to identify the next opportunity, the most popular online destination for job seekers. The good news for employers looking for the right candidate is that 87 per cent of respondents in the KSA are open to being contacted with the right opportunity. This is higher than a global average of 78 per cent.

Professional priorities
For professionals in the KSA, money talks. Fifty-one per cent of respondents base their career decisions on the salary package offered, more than professional development (29 per cent) and a better work culture (25 per cent).

First impressions count
The vast majority of professionals (83 per cent) would be put off a potential employer by a poor interview experience, even with a company they like. Conversely, a positive interview experience would change the minds of 87 per cent of professionals who previously weren’t interested in the company.

A full 53 per cent of professionals surveyed said that they saw the first meeting with their prospective manager as the most important interaction during the interview process. A conversation with leadership is also appreciated by nearly half of the respondents.

Follow-up gap
There are some simple ways for companies to improve the overall process for candidates. A follow-up after the interview process is a priority as for 94 per cent of the respondents, whereas only 41 per cent said that they have experienced this from companies they’ve interviewed. Interestingly, 77 per cent of professionals prefer to receive good news on the phone, and 65 per cent of them would rather receive bad news via email.

Matar continued, “It’s clear from this data that there are some simple changes companies can make to their interview process that will not only help them attract the best talent, but also ensure unsuccessful candidates leave with a great impression of the company. With the growing importance of employer branding to employers worldwide, this is an easy win for companies looking to improve their reputation among talent in the region.”

There were some housekeeping tips for today’s ‘always-on businesses’ as well – candidates don’t appreciate being contacted outside working hours (typically after 6pm) or on weekends.

LinkedIn gives employers access to both active and passive candidates; those not actively looking for a new job but who make up the majority of professionals. This greatly increases the number of potential candidates for companies, reducing the time and cost associated with acquiring the best talent.

LinkedIn has been available in Arabic since February 2015, offering a more relevant experience for professionals in the MENA region.