UK Tech Talent Now Values Development Over Pay, Lorien Report Finds
A new report from Lorien, What Tech Candidates Want, reveals a major shift in the priorities of UK tech professionals, with career advancement and skill development now outweighing salary as the primary motivators for job changes. This change challenges employers to rethink their talent strategies to attract and retain top talent.
Tech Talent Shifts Focus to Long-Term Career Growth
The study found that 24% of tech professionals prioritise learning new skills, while 16% focus on career progression both ranking higher than salary, which only 9% consider their top reason for switching jobs. Furthermore, 35% of candidates now view career advancement as their number one priority, compared to just 18% who prioritise salary.
Darren Topping, Director of Enterprise Solutions Insights & Partnerships at Lorien, commented: Tech professionals are shifting their focus towards long-term careers rather than just jobs. Leading employers are adapting by offering clear career progression, investing in training, and providing access to emerging technologies while those who fail to do so risk falling behind.
The report also highlights that 63% of permanent tech professionals intend to seek new job opportunities within the next six months, reinforcing the urgency for businesses to adapt to evolving employee expectations.
Slow Hiring Processes Costing Employers Top Talent
Another key finding is that hiring speed plays a critical role in securing tech talent. Over 90% of professionals expect a hiring process to be completed within four weeks. However, recruitment timelines have increased by an average of 10 days over the past year, causing 35% of candidates to drop out before an offer is even made.
“The demand for tech talent hasn’t gone away, and neither has their expectation for fast, engaging hiring experiences,” said Topping. “Employers dragging out recruitment processes are losing skilled professionals before they even reach the offer stage.”
Hybrid Work Still the Preferred Model
Despite increasing calls for a return to office-based work, tech professionals overwhelmingly prefer flexibility in their working arrangements. According to the report:
- 55% favour hybrid work
- 23% prefer fully remote roles
- 23% are on-site full-time
While some companies are pushing for in-office attendance, the report shows only a slight increase in on-site work compared to previous years. This suggests that most tech professionals remain firm in their demand for flexible working conditions.
Job Hunting Trends Are Changing
The way tech professionals search for jobs is evolving rapidly, with traditional job boards losing traction:
- Job board usage has dropped from 62% in 2024 to 48%.
- Social media recruitment is on the rise (27%, up from 24% in 2024).
- Direct applications through company websites have nearly halved (12%, down from 24% in 2024).
Topping highlighted the importance of employer branding in response to these trends: “A strong employer brand, visible on the right digital platforms, is now essential for attracting top talent.”
Employers Must Adapt to Stay Competitive
With demand for cybersecurity and AI professionals growing by 20% year-over-year, the competition for skilled workers remains intense. Businesses looking to attract and retain top talent must act now by offering clear career progression, streamlining hiring processes, and enhancing their employer brand.
