The recent COVID-19 pandemic and technological advancements have shaped how we work, creating new challenges and solutions in talent acquisition. The rise of AI-powered hiring and the emergence of hybrid working models are some of the most recent trends. Remote work has also become a staple in the past few years and continues to dominate multiple industries. Recruitment professionals have to respond with new strategies to address these challenges.
To help you succeed in competing for the best talent in 2023, we look at some of the most critical trends in recruitment that you should be aware of.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic and technological advancements have shaped how we work, creating new challenges and solutions in talent acquisition. The rise of AI-powered hiring and the emergence of hybrid working models are some of the most recent trends. Remote work has also become a staple in the past few years and continues to dominate multiple industries. Recruitment professionals have to respond with new strategies to address these challenges.
To help you succeed in competing for the best talent in 2023, we look at some of the most critical trends in recruitment that you should be aware of.
AI-powered recruitment is on the rise
Recruitment professionals are already harnessing the power of AI in several ways. Going forward in 2023, talent acquisition professionals agree that AI analytics and other AI-powered tools will become staples that vastly improve their roles and enable more efficient recruitment.
Artificial intelligence has already shown great promise since it entered the world of HR. AI technology can select and screen candidates without imposing a personal bias, allowing for a better and more objective match between clients and candidates. To achieve this, however, we must ensure that robust machine learning is used to minimise potential bias.
AI has also become part of the candidate evaluation process. Automating resume screening, interview scheduling, pre-interview screening, and onboarding helps save a considerable amount of time and resources, thus improving efficiency and informing hiring decisions. One of the most impressive benefits of AI-aided candidate evaluation is seen in the technology industry, where accurate technical skill evaluation is essential.
Going forward, these technologies will continue to evolve and help create a better candidate experience while ensuring that companies can make more accurate hiring decisions. AI already saves ample time for talent acquisition businesses, reduces costs, decreases turnover, and contributes to a 4% increase in revenue per employee, indicating a bright future for using artificial intelligence in recruitment and workforce planning.
Social recruiting gains popularity
Based on 2022 trends and predictions, social recruiting is expected to gain even more popularity in 2023. In fact, since 2019, the various ways of using social networks to find and attract new hires have become one of the most popular and successful networks in talent acquisition.
Social media offers extensive and easy access to a large talent pool and allows one-to-one engagement, making the candidates feel valued thanks to the direct approach. The number of people moving to online platforms to look for jobs has increased immeasurably since the COVID-19 outbreak, making the talent pool even more extensive.
The effectiveness of social media recruitment has roots in several factors. Aside from the increased use of social media and its more expansive reach, social recruiting allows for better candidate targeting based on location, education, industry, and more. By eliminating the traditional hiring middleman, such as job boards, companies and their talent acquisition experts can eliminate additional fees and commissions, making hiring processes cost-efficient. Moreover, social recruiting enables greater candidate engagement with organisations making company culture and career-growth opportunities more transparent.
Social media platforms are a perfect opportunity for companies to engage and build relationships with future candidates while exposing them to their company values and mission. 94% of professional recruiters are online, posting job openings and networking with extensive communities such as Facebook and LinkedIn. As an organisation’s social media presence is one of the essential indicators that candidates look for when searching for a new position, in 2023, businesses must have an attractive and engaging social media profile.
Focus on internal mobility
An ever-growing trend in 2023 focuses on improving internal workforce movement within the organisation. Due to the uncertain job market and global talent shortages, such as in tech, it is in the best interest of employers and employees to improve opportunities within the company.
There are several benefits employers can gain by allowing their employees to make lateral moves within their organisation. Employers who invest in their current employees will see higher retention rates because their employees will feel valued and cared for. Internal mobility is a more cost-effective way to fill a position, saving money on hiring. Moreover, employees who think there are opportunities for growth and development are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work.
Another great benefit of internal mobility is knowledge transfer from existing employees who have been with the company for a while and have a deeper understanding of its processes, culture, and values. Encouraging internal mobility can also increase diversity in the workplace as it provides opportunities for underrepresented groups to move into leadership positions.
Employers should increase their internal talent mobility initiatives in the future by focusing more on the talent development of their current workforce. Moreover, companies’ talent acquisition and management teams should work together more closely to create a more efficient and successful workforce.
Candidate experience gains importance
Candidate experience is becoming an increasingly important component of the hiring process because it significantly impacts a company’s reputation and talent brand. Due to talent shortages in industries such as technology, high-value talents have a plethora of options, and they will not settle for a company that does not provide an excellent candidate experience.
A positive candidate experience benefits a company in many ways. It can lead to increased employee engagement and productivity, as well as increased employee referrals and a positive company reputation.
Negative experience, on the other hand, can harm a company’s public image, discouraging top talent from applying.
Since 97% of candidates with a positive experience are motivated to refer other candidates, organisations must avoid poor hiring practices that can lead to adverse outcomes and instead focus on meeting candidate expectations. Companies prioritising candidate experience are more likely to attract and retain top talent, making it an important goal for companies in 2023.
Hiring for soft skills
Hiring for soft skills has become a growing trend in recent years and is expected to continue in 2023. According to Deloitte, there is a worldwide shortage of soft skills across all industries, making it an ongoing recruiting trend for years to come.
Numerous new positions in the technology, communication, and services sectors depend increasingly on soft skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. As productivity largely depends on these skills in all industries, talent acquisition professionals must keep this aspect of recruitment in sight and ensure that they are hiring for teamwork, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and technical skills.
Hybrid work modelÂ
The hybrid work model is a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-site work. Employees have the option to work from home or other locations part of the time while also working in the office when needed. This model has become increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic and has resulted in a higher demand for flexible work arrangements post-pandemic, placing the hybrid work model at the top of 2023 hiring trends.
With the emergence of the hybrid work model, the unattainable ideal of work-life balance has become a reality. Instead of the traditional 9-to-5, many have opted for more fluid work arrangements. Being able to put in hours when it’s most convenient while taking care of personal responsibilities has become an expectation. This model offers employees the autonomy to work in a mixed arrangement that promotes productivity.
Companies that ignore the popularity of hybrid work will struggle to find top talent for hire and get top talent to apply. Many job seekers eliminate positions that require a full-time office presence during their job search. Thus, you are disadvantaged if you don’t offer hybrid work.
The emergence of employer branding
This emerging trend refers to the image and reputation of a company as an employer. It encompasses the company’s culture, values, work environment, and employee experience, aiming to attract and retain top talent by creating a positive reputation.
Employer branding is an emerging trend that is here to stay. A strong employer brand that successfully differentiates itself from its competitors will attract and retain top talent better, ultimately driving business success.
Companies that want to remain competitive in their industries can achieve this through a combination of external and internal marketing efforts, including promoting the company culture, values, and benefits to potential employees and showcasing the positive experiences of current employees.
Even though employer branding is new to many businesses, it must be addressed. A top candidate’s decision to apply for your position or accept a competitor’s job offer may frequently depend on it.
