12 months on, has the candidate market actually changed?

Last year, our Talent & Engagement Survey gave us a clear picture of what candidates thought about their careers: 62% were considering a move within six months, 65% expected a pay increase, 75% said company values and culture were key factors, and 60% wanted hybrid work.

12 months on, the more interesting question isn’t what candidates said they wanted, but what we’re actually seeing in the market. Some expectations have held firm. Others have shifted, and candidates who were open to a move are now taking a far more considered approach.

Pay still matters, but not at any cost

Candidates still expect a pay increase when they move. What’s changed is their willingness to give something up to get it. With more employers tightening office attendance, many are wary of roles that offer more money but less flexibility.

“Candidates have built up trust and flexibility with their current employer, and that’s hard to give up,” says Managing Director Sam Nutbean. “When a new role brings uncertainty about expectations and culture, a pay rise alone often isn’t enough, and many choose to stay where they are.”

Culture is now what wins the offer

Values and culture remain a key consideration. When smaller pay rises are on offer, how clearly an organisation articulates its culture, flexibility, and career path increasingly determines whether a candidate accepts.