|
For Immediate Release
February 6, 2008
MORE THAN MONEY
Survey Finds Salary Is Top Draw for Job Candidates but Benefits Nearly
As Popular
MENLO PARK, CA -- A recent survey suggests
that successfully wooing job candidates takes more than salary alone.
While 37 percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) interviewed
said offering higher compensation than competitors is the most
effective incentive for attracting accounting professionals, nearly as
many (33 percent) felt the benefits package had the greatest
influence, up from just 2 percent five years ago.
The findings also suggest traditional incentives are a
higher priority today: While the popularity of benefits surged, the
number of financial executives who feel telecommuting and flexible work
schedules are the top draw fell 20 points, from 33 percent in
2003 to 13 percent in 2008.
The survey was developed by Robert Half International,
the world’s first and largest staffing services firm specializing in
accounting and finance, and conducted by an independent research firm.
It was based on telephone interviews with more than 1,400 CFOs across
the United States.
The survey results further suggest that rising medical
costs have increased the value workers place on healthcare benefits options, and employers need to respond accordingly.
“Companies that do not provide comprehensive employment packages,
including competitive compensation and insurance programs, risk losing
top job candidates to other opportunities,” said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half
International and author of Human Resources Kit For Dummies®,
2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.).
CFOs were asked, “In your opinion, which one of the
following incentives is most effective in attracting top accounting
candidates?” Their responses:
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2003
|
|
Higher salaries than competitors
|
|
37%
|
|
46%
|
|
Benefits package/insurance
|
|
33%
|
|
2%
|
|
Telecommuting and/or flexible work schedules
|
|
13%
|
|
33%
|
|
Signing bonuses
|
|
4%
|
|
5%
|
|
Extra vacation days
|
|
4%
|
|
3%
|
|
Other
|
|
1%
|
|
3%
|
|
None/not offering any
|
|
4%
|
|
0%
|
|
Don't know/no answer
|
|
4%
|
|
8%
|
|
|
|
100%
|
|
100%
|
Messmer added,
“Whether it’s higher salaries and enhanced healthcare coverage or
accelerated career-advancement opportunities, employers should
determine and effectively communicate what makes their company a great
place to work when speaking with prospective employees.”
About the Survey
The
national study was developed by Robert Half International, the world’s
first and largest staffing services firm specializing in accounting and
finance. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based
on more than 1,400 telephone interviews with CFOs from a random sample
of U.S.
companies with 20 or more employees. For the study to be statistically
representative and ensure that companies from all segments are
represented, the sample was stratified by geographic region and
employee size. The results were then weighted to reflect the proper
proportions of employee size within each region.
About Robert Half International
Robert
Half International has more than 360 staffing locations in North
America, South America, Europe and the
Asia-Pacific region, and offers online job search services at www.rhi.com.
|
