In the Singaporean job market, there is too much focus on the skills and qualities employers look for in employees – that’s a fact. However, not much is said on what the job seekers look for in an employer, or better yet, what motivates them to join a particular company. Don’t you think this should be as important?

Think about this; you are an employer looking to fill a certain position, and there is a top credentialed job seeker out there, who not only has a thriving work ethic and great communication skills but also has great potential for growth and leadership, wouldn’t you want your organization to attract such a talent? If so, the million-dollar question now begs; how can you accomplish that? Or better still, can you satisfy his or her professional ambitions? Well, it depends. See, there are certain factors every employer considers and looks for in the company they are applying for. They include;

Career development & potential for growth – job seekers are always after a company where they can learn, grow and also develop, not only as an individual but also as a professional. So then, career development is one of the greatest motivators why an employee would commit to an employer. Employees want to work for a company that will invest in them, allowing them to grow. The growth potential always motivates them to succeed, aiming to achieve the long-term goals of the company and themselves as individuals. When you offer career development opportunities to employees, you are not only giving them purpose, but a vision as well – job seekers want both.

Work-life balance – there is so much more to life other than being in the office, and every job seeker out there is looking for an employer who knows that and is able to facilitate it. Having meaningful lives outside the office could as well translate into more productivity in the office. Let’s face it, when you overload your employees with work, literary cluttering their days and nights, they will easily burn out, and that could easily be a recipe for catastrophe for your business. So, it very crucial that you ensure that there is a balance between their individual life and their work life. You have to recognize that they have significant responsibilities, roles, and relationships, all of which they have to attend to. The same way you are offering them room for success in the workplace, you have to provide them room for success in their personal lives. This is something that attracts job seekers to a company and can repel them against your company in equal measure if you don’t provide the balance.

Organization’s culture & workplace environment – even with the most attractive packages and/or company incentives, the company’s culture and work environment is very crucial as it determines whether or not the employee will fit in. Also, it is the work environment that determines whether, or not, the employee is satisfied. So, with regards to this, you need to ask yourself, does your company provide a positive, healthy and encouraging environment for the employees? Do you value success and recognition? See, with a positive work environment, you are not only attracting qualified job seekers, but you will also ensure that they stick with your company for the long haul.

To sum it up, keep in mind that the recruitment process is a two-way street. Just as you are only looking for qualified candidates to fill a particular position, so, too, are the job seekers looking for a company that will allow them to grow and prosper, as a professional and as an individual. Be that company for them!