Did you know that 97% of software engineers are likely to read online reviews about a company before accepting a job offer? Or that 52% would accept lower compensation if they could work at a company with a cool rep and culture? Glassdoor recently surveyed 1,400 male and female engineers to find out what it takes to recruit this highly sought after talent pool.

1. How to Recruit
Software Engineers
How to Recruit
Software Engineers
Software engineers are some of the toughest jobs to fill. Here is a look
at what software engineers had to say about their job search plans and
what resonates most with them when it comes to being recruited.
Effective Recruitment Tactics
Most Common Sources Software Engineers
Learn About Job Opportunities
Social Media
Nearly 40% of female software
engineers say they hear about new
job opportunities via social media
compared to 34% of males.
Knowledgeable about
my experience
Not pushy
Works as hard for me as
they do employers
Solid communication skills
Someone with a strong
technical background
Large network
Aggressive
63%
Recruiter Attributes Software Engineers Value
Feedback from
Software Engineers to Recruiters
“Understand my skills and
background and fit the job to me, rather
than the other way around.”
“Tell me about the good and bad of
your company. Why do I want to work
there over some other company?”
“Omit the salary package. How am
I supposed to know whether the job
is worth considering?”
“Be transparent about work
culture and company values.”
“Send a generic mass-email.
It goes right to the trash”
“Ask for me to contact my friends
if I’m not personally interested
in a position…it feels like you are
asking me to do your job for you.”
Retention Challenge Insights
Influences on Job Decisions
When software engineers are making job decisions
they trust the following sources for more information:
Top Reasons Software Engineers Would Leave their Jobs
78% 58% 53% 41%
12%20%23%25%27%32%
97%
Money Isn’t Everything
52%
51%
of software engineers are likely
to accept less money to work at
a company with a great culture.
Friends 76%
Previous work colleagues 68% Current work colleagues 64%
Online forums 50% Online news sources & blogs 50%
of software engineers are likely
to accept less money to work at
a company with an attractive
product or service.
of software engineers read
online reviews about a company
before accepting a job offer
Learn how to recruit software engineers with Glassdoor: www.glassdoor.com/employers
For complete survey methodology, contact pr@glassdoor.com
Plan to look for
a job in the next
3 months:
26% 17%
Male Female
1 year
11%
3 years
22%
3 months
25%
6 months
15%
Job Search Activity Expected this Year
Software Engineers plan
to look for a job within…
Time with current employer…
Most likely to leave
their current job in
the next 3 months
less than 1 year
1-2 years
3-4 years
5-7 years
8-10 years
10+ years
15%
26%
30%
30%
38%
24%
20% of male
software engineers
hear about new job
opportunities from
a current co-worker
compared to 17%
of females.
Current
Co-Workers
Recruiters
75% of female software
engineers say they hear about
new job opportunities via recruiters,
compared to 70% of males.
Transparent about the pros &
cons of different companies 81%
53%
50%
44%
42%
19%
5%
Online job sites 71%
Former co-workers 37%
Networking events 16%
Recruiters 70%
Social media 34%
Conferences 5%
Friends 40%
Current co-workers 20%
Family 4%
DOs DONTs
37%
Salary & Comp Career Growth
Opportunities
Type of Work
Company
Culture
Location &
Commute
Relationships
with Managers
Senior
Leadership
Relationship
with Peers
Company Mission
& Values
Company
Reputation
Amount of
Work
Frequency of
Required Travel
76%
Find out more about what it takes to recruit software engineers:
http://www.glassdoor.com/employers/blog/recruiting-software-engineers
48% of female software engineers are very likely to apply to a
company that a friend recommends compared to 38% of males