(Hired Image)

Microsoft’s brand reputation is looking pretty healthy when it comes to what tech workers regard as desirable places to work. The findings are part of the “2019 Global Brand Health Report” released Tuesday by Hired, the job search marketplace.

The survey of 3,600 software developers, product managers, designers, data scientists and more provides insight into what tech workers are looking for if they want to jump ship, and what companies can do to better compete with the top brands in the world.

Among public companies, Microsoft ranked fifth on a list of top 15 employer brands, trailing Google, Netflix and Apple, as well as LinkedIn, which it acquired in 2016. After Slack at No. 6, Amazon took the seventh spot as the only other Seattle-area company on a list dominated by Silicon Valley tech giants.

Airbnb was No. 1 among the top 15 private companies. The rankings were based on Hired’s Brand Positivity Index (BPI). The more candidates interested in working for a company, the higher that company’s BPI.

(Hired Graphic)

Among brands specific to the Seattle area, after Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft at the top, a couple real estate tech companies — Redfin and Zillow — muscled into the top three. Amazon is at No. 4, and REI (No. 9) and Costco (No. 10) made the list for the first time.

Hired reported that 46 percent of Seattle respondents consider company culture one of the most important factors when job searching. That’s close to the overall figure of 42 percent. Compensation is still the top driver when it comes to accepting an offer.

(Hired Graphic)

Among other findings in the Hired report:

  • When it comes to the top factor that turned job seekers away, 49 percent said lack of interest in company’s product.
  • Getting the salary range upfront was the top motivator for 71 percent of tech workers when asked what persuades them to engage with a recruiter.
  • Higher base salary attracts 75 percent of employees to leave a job, compared to 56 percent who cited “new challenges and problems to solve.”
  • A better location and commute was enough reason to leave a job for 42 percent of workers, and 65 percent said they’d be open to working remotely full time.

While Microsoft may be outpacing Amazon in the mentions above, the leaders of those two tech giants are together in chasing Elon Musk of Tesla, who ranks as the most inspiring leader in tech. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is No. 2 and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is ranked third.

(Hired Graphic)
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