Aerotek, a leading workplace solutions provider in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance, announced today its latest survey of job seekers shows Americans are prioritizing pay, job security and engagement as they endure longer job hunts in an uncertain economy.

The survey collected feedback from 1,433 job seekers representing various industries, shedding light on their evolving priorities and workforce challenges.

Job Seekers Are Becoming More Motivated by Job Security as the Prolonged Period of Economic Uncertainty Continues
While workers continue to prioritize pay in their job search, job security is on their minds as well. When asked to choose from a list of eight motivators, the number of workers reporting job security as the most important increased by 5% compared to spring 2023, and the number of workers reporting pay as most important increased by 4%.

Despite rising wages, workers have a mostly negative feeling about their financial situation. That includes workers who responded to Aerotek’s survey saying they received a raise in the past year — a sign that inflation and economic uncertainty may be negating wage gains.

A staggering 81.2% of respondents feel the same or worse about their financial situation compared to this time in 2023. Of 486 respondents who received a raise in the last year, 71% still feel the same or worse about their financial situation.

Workers Are More Likely to Stay If They Can Create Social Connections in the Workplace 
According to a recent Gallup survey, employee engagement in the U.S. has dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade.

Aerotek’s survey findings reflect that engagement is a priority for job seekers, as 73.2% report that engaging with coworkers improves their feelings about a job, and 69.2% said they are more likely to stay at a job that promotes social connections.

Based on these insights, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment can help managers boost employee retention and increase overall job satisfaction.

Despite Job Search Challenges, Workers Maintain Optimism in Finding Quality Employment Amid Economic Concerns
While the number of available jobs remains relatively high, workers looking for new opportunities are filling out more applications and waiting longer to hear back from employers:

Employers may be adopting a more cautious approach, waiting longer to find the right hire. Unsurprisingly, 56% of job seekers identify the economy as their primary challenge in the job search. Despite this economic apprehension, 58% of respondents remain optimistic about securing quality employment.

For more detailed findings and insights, view the report here. To learn more about Aerotek and its staffing and services solutions, please visit Aerotek.com.