AgHires recently conducted a survey of over 1,200 job seekers in the agriculture industry. We examined how often candidates are searching for jobs, their preferences during the hiring process, job search frustrations, and more.
With the goal of helping agriculture employers like you remain competitive and attract the best talent, as part of our survey, we analyzed what candidates are prioritizing when considering a new job.
For this part of the survey, participants ranked 11 factors in order of importance when considering a new job offer. The 11 options included: a positive experience throughout the hiring process, compensation, benefits, company culture, company branding, company mission, rapport with hiring manager/recruiter, job security, advancement opportunities, continued learning opportunities, and work-life balance/schedule flexibility.
The results showed that when considering a new job offer, the top three most important factors to agriculture industry job seekers were:
In a competitive labor market, it's not surprising that candidates value compensation most when evaluating a new job opportunity. As the cost of living continues to rise and workers have more access to salary information than ever before, candidates want to ensure they are being fairly compensated for their skills and experience.
Offering competitive pay is essential for attracting qualified candidates and remaining competitive with other employers. Employers that fall behind market rates may struggle to attract applicants and risk losing top candidates to competing opportunities.
To stay competitive, employers should regularly review compensation benchmarks, evaluate internal pay structures, and understand what similar positions are paying within their industry and region.
Transparency around compensation can also help attract talent and build trust. Consider adding pay ranges in your job postings and discuss pay expectations with candidates early in the interview process.
Compensation is often the first factor candidates use to determine whether a job is worth pursuing. If your pay does not align with market expectations, candidates may never take the time to learn about the other advantages your company offers.
Learn more about how to achieve competitive compensation across your farm or ag business with our ultimate guide.
While compensation is the top factor candidates consider when it comes to a new job, it takes more than just competitive pay to secure them. Candidates are looking at the overall experience during the hiring process, not just the opportunity and package you’re offering.
To create a more a positive experience for candidates, employers should:
The hiring process often gives candidates their first real impression of what it may be like to work for your organization. Every interaction, from communication and interview scheduling to follow-up and feedback, provides insight into how your company operates, treats employees, and values its people. When communication is inconsistent or lacking, they may assume similar challenges exist within the workplace. A positive, organized hiring process not only helps secure top talent but also reinforces your employer brand and company culture.
Think of the hiring experience as an extension of your job offer. The way candidates are treated throughout the process can be just as influential as the compensation and benefits package when it comes to accepting a position.
Learn more of our tips to improve the candidate experience.
While salary remains the top factor candidates consider when evaluating a new opportunity, benefits continue to play a major role in attracting and retaining talent. Today's job seekers are looking beyond their paycheck and evaluating the total package to determine whether a position aligns with their personal and professional needs.
Benefits that can help employers stand out include:
Strong candidates often compare multiple opportunities at once, and a strong benefits package can be the deciding factor between accepting or declining an offer. For some candidates, a strong benefits package can offset a slightly lower salary, especially when it provides meaningful long-term value.
When promoting open positions, make sure an overview of your benefits and perks is easy for candidates to find and understand. Highlighting these offerings in job postings, career pages, and interviews can help attract more qualified candidates and increase offer acceptance rates.
Employers should regularly review their benefits offerings and update them as needed. Benefits are more than just perks, they reflect how an organization invests in and supports its employees.
Compensation, benefits, and a positive hiring experience all play a critical role in attracting today's agriculture talent. Employers who understand what candidates value and adapt their hiring strategies accordingly will be better positioned to compete for top talent and improve hiring outcomes.
At AgHires, we stay closely connected to the agriculture job market through our recruiting work, industry research, and conversations with candidates every day. If you're looking to attract and hire top talent, our team can help you build a hiring strategy that aligns with today's candidate expectations. Learn more about how we can help.
Discover more key insights to improve your hiring process and attract top talent with the full survey report.