# Techie turn-offs: Top 7 things that put talent off applying for tech roles
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2021-07-26
Category: BUSINESS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business
Meta Title: How to Attract Top Tech Talent in the UK: Insights from
Meta Description: Discover the top reasons why tech applicants are put off by job ads, including lack of salary info, difficulty in applying, unhelpful descriptions, irrelevant
URL: https://financedigest.com/techie-turn-offs-top-7-things-that-put-talent-off-applying-for-tech-roleshtml

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According to research from LinkedIn, 150 million new technology jobs will be created in the next five years; however, a 2020 [report by the World Economic Forum](http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_2020.pdf) found that 39% of the UK didn’t have the digital skills required to match this demand.

So how can companies attract the talent with the digital skills required to apply for zxthese positions?

A recent survey by [Haystack](https://haystackapp.io/), a tech careers marketplace, discovered the top things that are most likely to put off techie applicants from applying for a role.

**1.  Lack of salary information**

Something that seems to be a bug-bear across industries when it comes to job ads is the lack of transparency around the salary being offered, and in the tech industry this is no different. 73% of respondents noted that the lack of salary on job ads was their biggest turn off when it came to applying for jobs.

Professionals don’t want to waste their time applying for a [role only to discover later that the salary does not match or exceed](https://www.financedigest.com/amazon-ceo-says-job-cuts-to-exceed-18000-roles.html "Amazon CEO says job cuts to exceed 18,000 roles") their expectations. By including the salary in the ad, [employers appear more transparency focused](https://www.financedigest.com/positive-group-sees-huge-increase-in-focus-from-employers-on-staff-psychological-health.html "Positive Group Sees Huge Increase In Focus From Employers On Staff Psychological Health"). Haystack’s proprietary [data also found that ads with salary disclosed get 65% more applications](https://www.financedigest.com/from-sec-edgar-to-business-applications-exploring-an-alternative-to-manual-data-extraction.html "From SEC EDGAR to Business Applications: Exploring an Alternative to Manual Data Extraction") than those without.

**2\. Too difficult to apply**

Over half (52%) stated that when a role is too difficult to apply for they are immediately put off trying.

Many job seekers are already in employment when searching for another role, meaning they often [don’t have heaps of time](https://www.financedigest.com/over-half-of-financial-smbs-say-they-dont-have-time-to-understand-cybersecurity.html "Over half of Financial SMBs say they don’t have time to understand cybersecurity") to be jumping through hoops or filling in a lengthy application. Only the most important information should be required in the first instance, supported by a CV.

Any [additional details can be gathered during or after the first interview when the applicant has progressed further in the application process and likely more willing to commit some of their time](https://www.financedigest.com/the-psd2-deadline-extension-why-you-need-it-and-how-best-to-use-your-additional-time.html "The PSD2 deadline extension: why you need it and how best to use your additional time").

**3.Unhelpful job description**

Half of the survey participants were put off by unhelpful job descriptions. Many employers are guilty of sacrificing detail for flowery language in an effort to stand out. Unfortunately, applicants need to [know the ins and outs of the role they are applying](https://www.financedigest.com/home-equity-made-simple-things-to-know-before-applying-for-loans.html "Home Equity Made Simple – Things to Know Before Applying for Loans") for, including:

**-Working hours**

**-Salary**

**-Required tech skills**

**-Typical duties**

**-Benefits**

All of these should be included in the first instance. Any additional information is a bonus and likely to be appreciated.

**4.Irrelevant tests**

Similar to “too difficult to apply”, 38% won’t apply for a role if there are irrelevant tests involved. [Time is precious and it is likely applicants](https://www.financedigest.com/the-tall-group-leads-uk-launch-of-innovative-chain-of-custody-real-time-authentication-platform-for-financial-applications.html "The Tall Group Leads UK Launch Of Innovative Chain Of Custody & Real Time Authentication Platform For Financial Applications") won’t be applying for just the one role, if role A involves a lengthy test and role B is a simple form and CV submission, role B will win. Keep things simple.

**5.Too one-sided**

Just as with conversations, one-sided [job descriptions cause nothing but frustration for over a quarter](https://www.financedigest.com/lacklustre-spelling-attitude-could-be-crossing-a-quarter-of-adults-off-job-shortlists.html "Lacklustre spelling attitude could be crossing a quarter of adults off job shortlists") (27%) of potential candidates.

Too many employers are guilty of including only what they are looking for and what is required from the successful applicant, forgetting that it is a two-way street and applicants [need to know](https://www.financedigest.com/4-things-you-need-to-know-about-mortgages.html "4 Things you Need to Know About Mortgages") what they can expect in return.

**6.Poor** [mobile experience](https://www.financedigest.com/improving-customer-experience-through-broadening-your-mobile-offering.html "Improving customer experience through broadening your mobile offering")

It isn’t just [Google that is mobile](https://www.financedigest.com/las-vegas-monorail-unveils-mobile-ticketing-with-google-pay.html "Las Vegas Monorail Unveils Mobile Ticketing With Google Pay") first. 22% of survey respondents said they would be put off applying for a [role because of a poor mobile experience](https://www.financedigest.com/ais-role-in-the-finance-industrys-customer-experience.html "AI’s role in the finance industry’s customer experience").

Whether it is because they can browse jobs on their private mobile devices or want to do so on the go, techies prefer companies that offer a good mobile [experience and without one could mean that certain businesses](https://www.financedigest.com/lockdown-unlocked-testimonials-of-hospitality-businesses-reinventing-the-service-experience.html "Lockdown Unlocked:  Testimonials of hospitality businesses reinventing the service experience") are overlooked by talent.

**7.Inflexible**

A [year of working from home for many has caused a shift in priorities](https://www.financedigest.com/2017-cfo-outlook-top-priorities-as-new-year-gets-underway.html "2017 CFO Outlook: Top Priorities as New Year Gets Underway"). People are no longer satisfied with the 9 to 5 in the office. This is why 15% of techies [consider a lack of flexibility a turn-off when it comes](https://www.financedigest.com/the-rise-of-the-paraplanner-why-consider-a-career-in-this-up-and-coming-role.html "The rise of the paraplanner: why consider a career in this up and coming role") to searching for a job.

**Mike Davies, COO and co-founder of Haystack, said:**“Finding the right [talent with the desired skills is difficult enough with the digital](https://www.financedigest.com/why-data-is-the-best-weapon-in-the-war-for-digital-talent.html "Why data is the best weapon in the war for digital talent") skill deficit the UK is facing, without the job descriptions putting those with the requirements off applying.

“Companies should ensure that they make their job descriptions as transparent as possible, taking note of the turn-offs and ensuring they do what they can to [avoid making those mistakes](https://www.financedigest.com/top-ten-biggest-mistakes-by-novice-investors-and-how-to-avoid-them.html "TOP TEN BIGGEST MISTAKES BY NOVICE INVESTORS – AND HOW TO AVOID THEM").

“Our survey also found that the [top three things techies are looking for in a company](https://www.financedigest.com/anyone-can-write-assignment-need-people-able-apply-new-skills-workplace-says-top-investment-management-company.html "“Anyone can write an assignment, but we need people to be able to apply their new skills to the workplace,” says top investment management company") is opportunities to upskill and progress (72.8%), positive working culture (71.7%) and flexible working (69.6%), showing the types of qualities this talent is searching for within a job description, and therefore companies should ensure are included.”


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