What Top Talent Wants From Employers
Pay and benefits get the most attention because they are easiest to compare. The best candidates are asking a different question: can I see myself growing here?
Top talent wants more than a job. They want to know they are growing toward something: regular conversations about their goals, the skills they want to build and the next opportunity they are working toward, plus leaders who support that growth instead of trying to fence them in. A visible future drives both retention and higher contribution.
Growth opportunities are scarce. Gallup found only 32% of U.S. employees say they had opportunities to learn and grow at work in the past year. Employers that offer real growth stand out.
Top employees expect more than a job. They want to know they are growing toward something.
What top talent looks for
- A visible future. Where this role can lead.
- Growth conversations. About their goals.
- Skills they want. Not only skills you need.
- A next opportunity. Something to work toward.
- Leaders who believe in them. Out loud.
- Launch pads, not fences. Support, not restriction.
Show people a future
Candidates weigh whether they can picture themselves growing with you in two years. Talk about real paths people have taken, not only the job description.
Talk about goals regularly
Hold regular conversations about each person’s goals, the skills they want to build and the opportunity they want next. See How to Have a Career Conversation With an Employee.
Support growth instead of restricting it
Leaders who build launch pads rather than fences keep their best people longer, and get more from them while they stay. See Do Retention Bonuses Work?
I shared this in Forbes: Employee Expectations and Attracting Top Talent. Building a culture people want to grow in is the focus of You Are Capable of a Better Culture.
Top talent wants a visible future: regular conversations about their goals, skills and next opportunity, and leaders who support their growth instead of fencing them in.
Frequently asked questions
What does top talent want from employers?
Is pay the most important factor for top candidates?
How do you attract top talent without paying more?
How do you keep top talent?
You Are Capable of More
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All Hiring and Retention Articles · In Forbes: Employee Expectations and Attracting Top Talent · In Inc.: Stop Building Fences to Keep Your Employees
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