Takeaways from Bullhorn’s AU Talent Trends Report

Heading into 2023, talent remains a top priority and challenge for Australian recruitment agencies. What separates the agencies that deliver an incredible experience from those that leave candidates cold? Consistent engagement and smart use of technology, to start. Bullhorn surveyed 500 Australian temp workers on their experiences working with recruitment agencies. Here are the top findings.

Talent choose their agency based on opportunity and reputation

Why do candidates choose one agency over another? Roughly half cite the strength of opportunity, with 34 percent specifically mentioning access to specific contracts.

The other half cited positive associations with that specific agency, including those who had past positive experiences (20%) or picked an agency based on reputation (13%).

That said, close to half would not work with the same agency again – even if it can provide the right jobs. Agencies must prioritise a strong talent experience defined by consistent engagement and a streamlined process.

Communication matters…

Talent want recruiters to reach out more frequently and proactively with opportunities. Close to twothirds (64%) said they want to hear from recruiters at least once a week when looking for new opportunities, but less than half (47%) say their recruiter reaches out that frequently.

Email is the most preferred channel for communication (48%), but talent expects recruiters to use their medium of choice. When recruiters don’t reach out via the preferred communication channel, respondents were 67 percent more likely to say they wouldn’t work with that firm again. …

Throughout the entire lifecycle

The value of consistent engagement extends beyond the hiring process: workers who report responsiveness while on assignment are 3 times as likely to consider working with their firm again.

Beyond communication, every stage of the talent experience matters.

Workers who report a positive experience throughout the entire process — from first contact through redeployment — are 3 times more likely to work with that firm again.