Three Reasons to be Thankful

The holidays are a time to be thankful, and with unemployment rates decreasing, job seekers especially have much to be thankful for this time of the year. The job search is always challenging, but with more companies focused on meeting the needs of employees and recruiting qualified applicants, your search can leave you thankful for the improvements to the job market.

1. Employee-Focused Efforts

Employers are more focused on giving employees what they need to be successful, productive and profitable, according to the 2015 LinkedIn survey "Why and How People Change Jobs." Applicants are seeking companies who have similar beliefs, opportunities to advance and the ability for employees to make an impact. Companies are catching on and investing in their company culture, especially when seeking to attract new graduates entering the workforce.

Younger job seekers have vastly different priorities than the older generation during the job search. Companies have recognized this fact and have focused their efforts on providing what employees and potential candidates desire, leaving new graduates with something to be thankful for when searching for a job.

2. Employer Brands

Businesses routinely focus on their brand to market products and services to consumers. A renewed focus on their brands as employers has gained popularity. According to the 2015 Jobvite Recruiter Nation survey, 46 percent of responding companies reported they plan to spend more money building and improving their brands as employers. Candidates immersed in the job search have much to be thankful due to these efforts. As a result, job seekers will no longer have to spend countless hours researching companies.

Employers who establish a brand have information about the company culture, employee benefits and community involvement readily available on social media platforms, websites, blogs and within professional organizations, not to mention wor- of-mouth from current employees. The job search is simplified when businesses promote what they have to offer qualified candidates.

3. Salary Increases

Employers are also recognizing that qualified candidates deserve higher pay. Retention efforts have led many companies to support an increase in minimum wage, according to a September 2015 survey by CareerBuilder. Pay increases may not be dramatic, but businesses that support the financial gain of employees can attract qualified candidates grateful for the push to provide better working environments and future opportunities.

The push to pay employees more should serve as an incentive for job seekers to improve their job search efforts. Focus on potential employers who value their employees, promote a positive culture and invest in professional development opportunities. Salary is a crucial element of a professional position, but the benefits of working for a company that values your input is often invaluable.

Seek out businesses willing to invest in their employer brands and provide professional and personal opportunities for employees. Your job search doesn't have to be challenging when the right opportunities are increasing.

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