Executive search consultants now have a new competitor for top talent - work-life balance, according to a survey by the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC).

It found that 85% of recruiters have had candidates reject an executive job offer in deference to work-life balance.

The survey also revealed that companies are increasingly creating individualised plans to meet the work-life balance needs of top candidates.

Two-thirds of the surveyed executive search consultants say they work with client companies that will create programs, but on a case-by-case basis, to meet the work-life balance demands of top job candidates.

The survey found that only 8% have client companies with formalised programs; 26% say their client companies refuse to meet the work-life demands of top candidates. Telecommuting, flexible work schedules and limited travel are the most common options to help achieve a better work-life balance.

AESC president, Peter Felix, says: “Executive search consultants now say that candidates will discuss work-life balance very early in the talks about a potential job. In a candidate’s market, it’s something that search consultants and their client companies can no longer ignore.”