What do Swiss recruiters and employees think of lateral entrants?

The economy and the education sector in particular are increasingly looking for career changers to counteract the shortage of skilled workers and bring new perspectives to companies. But how do companies and employees in Switzerland really view lateral entry?

Recruiters see lateral hires as a potential remedy for companies

One thing is certain for companies: doors are always open to career changers. For more than half of the HR managers surveyed, career changers have the same opportunities as applicants with a linear career path (58 %). Six percent of recruiters even give preferential treatment to lateral entrants, although 30 percent of those surveyed stated that lateral entrants are given lower priority in the application process.

83 percent of the recruiters surveyed agree somewhat to completely that lateral hires promote diversity in the company. They believe that they bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the company (86 %). Their different experiences also contribute to innovation (84 %). 81 percent agree somewhat to completely with the statement that career changers could solve the skills shortage.

Longer training period necessary and job fit questionable

On the one hand, recruiters see career changers as an exciting target group, but at the same time there are concerns about their job fit in everyday working life. This is because the success of lateral entry clearly depends on whether the new industry requires entry barriers such as qualifications or certain degrees. 82 percent of recruiters believe that career changers need longer training periods to find their feet in their new role. 69 percent fear that they may not fit in well with the corporate culture or team dynamics. 73 percent are also of the opinion that career changers lack industry-specific experience that cannot be learned quickly. The statement that companies have had bad experiences with lateral hires because they lack the necessary specialist knowledge received the lowest level of agreement (60 %).

"It is surprising that almost a third of recruiters do not take career changers into account when hiring new employees. This is because career changers can enrich companies with fresh perspectives and unconventional approaches. They often bring valuable experience from other industries, which promotes innovation and flexibility - two key success factors in a constantly changing world of work," says Sandra Bascha, Head of Communications at Xing Switzerland and New Work expert. "In times when companies are desperately looking for good employees, it makes sense to have lateral entrants on the radar for new appointments."

More money and better job security

And what do employees think about changing jobs? The survey of 500 employees in German-speaking Switzerland shows that 33% have not yet thought about leaving their job for another sector. 42 percent have already toyed with the idea - but have not acted on it. Only 26 percent have actually taken the plunge and started a new career in a new sector.

Of those who made the switch, 40 percent stated that financial benefits were the decisive factor. For 29 percent, it was better job security that attracted them to a new industry, and 27 percent changed jobs because they felt it was more meaningful. A further 27 percent made a lateral move because they gained additional or previously unused skills and knowledge or acquired the necessary qualifications.

Those employees who stated in the survey that they had not changed jobs did so for the following reasons: 35 percent said it was due to lower pay. 34 percent stated that there was less job security. Due to a lack of specialist knowledge, a lack of necessary qualifications or longer training periods, 26 percent of respondents did not switch jobs.

Source: www.xing.ch