At Another Source, we spend a lot of time talking about how we recruit. But what often gets overlooked in that conversation is who we’re recruiting and what they really want.
To get clarity, we went straight to the source: a recent survey of over 70 higher education professionals actively looking for new roles. These are experienced individuals navigating today’s job market, and their responses were candid, telling, and full of insight.
If you’re a hiring manager or leader in higher ed (or beyond), here are 10 key takeaways that can sharpen your strategy and help you attract the right talent, faster.
1. Time is Not on Your Side
66.7% of candidates lose interest after 3+ weeks without feedback or a decision.
We get it, your calendar is packed, and recruitment isn’t your only responsibility. Between leading teams, managing budgets, and driving departmental goals, keeping up with candidate follow-up can fall down the list. But to the candidate? Silence often signals disinterest. In a competitive market, response time isn’t just polite, it’s a make-or-break factor.
2. Mission Still Matters
70.8% say alignment between the role and the organization’s mission is very important.
Candidates want more than a paycheck. They want a sense of purpose. For institutions with strong values, this is your opportunity to lead with mission and impact in your job posts and interviews.
3. Compensation Isn’t Optional
54.2% list competitive pay as a top motivator, and here’s the kicker: Only 4.1% are very likely to apply to a job without a salary range.
Failing to disclose compensation up front doesn’t just lower applicant volume, it can erode trust before you even say hello.
4. They’re Looking for What’s Next
73.6% of candidates say they’re looking for new roles that offer growth opportunities.
This doesn’t always mean climbing the ladder. For many, it’s about expanding their skill set, exploring new areas of work, or stepping into roles with greater visibility or impact. Your posting should help them see what they can become, not just what they’ll be doing.
5. Culture Over Perks
59.7% prioritize a positive company culture in their job decisions.
That means team dynamics, trust in leadership, and shared values matter more than free snacks and yoga Fridays.
6. The Power of Clarity
52.8% say detailed responsibilities and duties are what make a job posting stand out.
The more specific, the better. Candidates don’t just want to know what the job is, they want to know what success looks like.
7. What Gets Them to Click “Apply”?
Alongside role clarity, job seekers are looking for transparency around what life in the role actually feels like.
From work-life balance to team dynamics, and from role responsibilities to the real perks, things like tuition remission, generous time off, or convenient parking, candidates want to understand how the job supports both their work and their well-being.
8. Trends That Are Reshaping the Search
From job security to professional development, today’s talent is scanning the horizon.
These aren’t just buzzwords, they’re benchmarks for how candidates measure long-term fit and future growth.
9. They’re Starting on LinkedIn
81.9% of respondents turn to LinkedIn first when job hunting.
That means your LinkedIn presence isn’t just a brand play, it’s a recruiting tool. What does your team’s presence say about your culture, momentum, and leadership?
10. The Real Cost of Doing It Yourself
Here’s the hard truth: the hours you spend sourcing, screening, coordinating, and following up are hours you’re not spending on strategy, operations, or growth.
When you factor in the time investment vs. the risk of settling or having to restart the search altogether, the ROI of partnering with a recruitment firm becomes crystal clear.
The Bottom Line
These candidates aren’t just telling us what they want, they’re telling you.
And if you’re hiring in higher education, mission-driven organizations, or even scaling infrastructure teams in data centers, these insights can help you shift recruitment from reactive to strategic.
- Better conversations.
- Better outcomes.
- And maybe most importantly: your time back.
