Top 5 Recruiting Trends for 2024

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Are you keeping up with current recruiting trends? With rapid tech changes and evolving work environments, it's key for businesses to know the latest hiring techniques to attract the best talent. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down each trend, giving you the lowdown on how to adapt and thrive in the evolving recruiting landscape. We'll examine how each trend impacts hiring processes and the significant role recruiting firms play in navigating these changes. Whether you're a business leader, HR professional, or recruiter, staying ahead of these trends is key to ensuring your company's success in attracting and retaining top talent.

What Are The Top 5 Recruiting Trends for 2024?

2024 is set to be a pivotal year in recruitment, with several key trends emerging. These trends reflect a blend of technology-driven advancements and a shift toward more candidate-centric approaches. Here's a closer look at what’s defining recruitment this year:

  • AI and NLP in Recruitment: Advanced technologies for smarter candidate matching.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraging analytics to optimize recruitment.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Focusing on inclusive recruitment strategies.
  • Remote Hiring and Workplace Evolution: Adapting to the rise of remote work.
  • Pay Transparency and Skills-Based Hiring: Emphasizing skills and open salary discussions.

As we unpack these recruiting trends, you’ll see how each one brings something unique to the table. They offer fresh perspectives and solutions to the challenges of modern recruitment. By understanding and implementing these trends, you can enhance your hiring processes and attract top-tier talent. And with a recruiter by your side, navigating these trends becomes more intuitive and effective. Let’s dive deeper into the top 5 recruiting trends:

Recruiting Trend #1: AI and NLP

First on our list is the expanding use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) in recruitment. Imagine tools that can sift through resumes, pick up nuanced skills from candidate profiles, and even predict job fit – that’s what AI and NLP are bringing to the table. According to Forbes, AI tech is making candidate searches faster and more efficient. But AI in recruitment isn’t just about efficiency. AI and NLP offer a level of depth in candidate evaluation that goes beyond traditional methods. These tools provide deeper insights into candidate profiles, enabling recruiters to make more informed decisions and find the best fit for their organization.

However, integrating AI in recruitment also presents certain challenges. As highlighted by Indeed, while AI, including recruiting chatbots, accelerates certain processes, it may struggle with understanding the subtleties of human language and miss out on qualified candidates. Over-reliance on these tools can lead to a depersonalized recruitment experience, lacking the human touch necessary for gauging a candidate's personality and company culture fit. Therefore, striking a balance between AI efficiency and human judgment is crucial for hiring.

Recruiting Trend #2: Data-Driven Decision Making

Data-driven decision-making is another significant recruiting trend shaping hiring in 2024. This approach relies on analyzing various recruitment metrics to make informed decisions. Critical data points include metrics like candidate source effectiveness, time-to-fill, quality of hire, candidate experience feedback, and retention rates. These insights allow businesses to pinpoint exactly where the best candidates come from, how long it takes to hire them, and the effectiveness of their recruitment strategies. That's the power of data at work. As HR Daily Advisor notes, data-driven recruitment is leading to more efficient processes and better hiring outcomes. It's like having a recruitment roadmap, with data guiding every turn.

What's exciting about this trend is how it transforms recruitment from guesswork into a strategic operation. By adopting a data-driven approach, recruiters can identify the most effective strategies for attracting top talent. They can smartly allocate resources and concentrate efforts in areas most fruitful for high-quality candidate sourcing. This shift from intuition-based to data-driven decision-making is a game-changer in the recruitment industry. It allows companies to fine-tune their recruitment efforts, leading to faster, more effective hiring.

Recruiting Trend #3: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Undoubtedly, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are taking center stage in 2024's recruiting trends. As we progress, the focus on DEI in recruitment practices is becoming more pronounced, mirroring a deeper understanding of the benefits of a diverse workforce. A recent article by Datapeople emphasizes the importance of affirmative action and DEI hiring equity in 2024, highlighting the shift towards more inclusive recruitment strategies.

These strategies are about more than just checking boxes, they aim to foster a truly inclusive workplace. By adopting practices such as blind recruitment and leveraging unbiased AI tools, companies work towards removing biases from their recruitment processes. This focus on DEI not only bolsters a company's brand image but also taps into a wealth of diverse talents and perspectives. A workforce rich in diversity is a powerhouse of innovation, better decision-making, and often sees improved performance.

A visual guide detailing steps to implement DEI, a crucial recruiting trend, including creating safe spaces and promoting allyship.

Recruiting firms that specialize in DEI initiatives, like Blue Signal, are playing a key role in guiding businesses to build more diverse and inclusive teams. It's about creating a workplace that embraces varied experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, thereby enriching the organizational culture and propelling business success.

Learn about Blue Signal’s DEI recruiting practice!

Recruiting Trend #4: Remote Hiring and Workplace Evolution

Continuing our list of 2024's dominant recruiting trends, remote hiring takes a prominent spot. As Time magazine discusses, remote work is changing the dynamics of recruitment, with companies now able to tap into a global talent pool. This trend is driven by the changing preferences of the modern workforce, where flexibility and work-life balance are increasingly valued. The digital age has made remote work more feasible than ever, with advanced communication tools breaking down traditional office barriers. For companies, this means an opportunity to explore new markets and tap into diverse talents.

Adapting to remote hiring, however, requires a strategic shift in approach. Companies need to look beyond traditional hiring metrics and focus on traits essential for remote work. Skills like self-motivation, effective communication, and time management become paramount. This shift poses unique challenges in assessing these qualities accurately. It's not just about finding the right skills but also about ensuring candidates can thrive in a remote work environment. The transition to remote hiring also necessitates a reassessment of workplace policies and support systems to accommodate remote employees effectively.

Data report graphic showing the correlation between flexible work policies and company growth, a notable recruiting trend for 2024.

Facing these challenges, recruiting firms become invaluable partners in navigating the complexities of remote hiring. They excel at identifying candidates who are not just skilled, but also well-suited for remote work environments, using advanced evaluation tools and methods. Partnering with a recruiting firm eases the transition to a flexible, diverse workforce, helping to effectively navigate the unique challenges of remote hiring.

Recruiting Trend #5: Pay Transparency and Skills-Based Hiring

The rising trend of pay transparency and skills-based hiring is changing the recruitment landscape. According to Forbes, there's a shift towards more open discussions about compensation and an emphasis on skills over formal qualifications. This approach to transparency in discussing salaries builds trust and fosters a sense of equity within the workplace, aligning with a changing job market that values authenticity and ethical practices. Pay transparency not only enhances a company's reputation but also promotes a meritocratic workplace culture, where compensation is clearly aligned with roles, responsibilities, and skills.

A graph highlighting skills-based hiring as a prominent recruiting trend, with an upward trajectory indicating its rising importance in 2024.

Simultaneously, the rise of skills-based hiring is changing how companies approach evaluating potential candidates. This trend, highlighted in a Harvard Business Review article, is shifting the focus away from just formal qualifications to what really matters — practical abilities and real-world experiences. It's a transformative approach that opens new opportunities for individuals who have gained expertise through unique career paths, such as veterans, or self-directed learning. By prioritizing a diverse set of skills, businesses are not only enriching their workforce with a variety of perspectives and capabilities but also ensuring that job roles are filled with individuals who are genuinely equipped to meet their specific demands.

How To Implement 2024 Recruiting Trends into Your Hiring Practice

Looking to integrate these 2024 recruiting trends into your hiring practice? Adapting to these recruiting trends might seem daunting, but with a strategic approach, it can be seamlessly integrated. Start by embracing new technologies like AI and data analytics to enhance your recruitment process. Prioritize DEI to foster a more inclusive workplace, and adapt your hiring strategy to accommodate the increasing importance of remote work, opening up new talent pools. Additionally, focus on pay transparency and skills-based hiring to ensure clear compensation and value the diverse skills candidates bring. Implementing these trends can significantly improve your approach to attracting and retaining talent, positioning your company as a forward-thinking employer.

Why Should I Work with a Recruiter?

In the face of these evolving recruiting trends, working with a recruiter has become more important than ever. Recruiters bring essential knowledge and expertise, helping companies not just keep up but excel in the modern recruitment landscape. They stay updated with the latest technologies and market shifts, providing valuable insights and strategies for efficient talent acquisition. With every hiring decision being critical, a recruiter's expertise is key to securing top talent efficiently and effectively, ensuring your company stays ahead in a competitive market.

Learn how Blue Signal can assist your hiring needs!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the hiring roadmap for 2024 is marked by exciting and transformative recruiting trends. From the integration of AI and data-driven practices to the emphasis on DEI and remote work, these trends are setting new standards in talent acquisition. By staying informed and adaptable, you can successfully implement these trends in your recruitment strategy. Whether you’re looking to refine your hiring practices or seeking guidance, partnering with a recruitment firm can provide the expertise and support needed to navigate these changes.

At Blue Signal, we are committed to helping companies and candidates thrive in this new era of recruitment. Ready to take your recruitment strategy to the next level? Let’s connect and make the most of these exciting recruiting trends.

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Illuminating the Right Talent: The Future of the Lighting Industry

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The initial boom of the lighting industry began with fluorescent lighting in the 1930s and 40s. Since then, the lighting industry has expanded and transitioned into a much higher technical and innovative field. LEDs dominated the lighting industry in 2020, sweeping 61% of the global lighting market. According to Mordor Intelligence, the LED lighting market was valued at $75.81 billion last year and is projected to grow to $160.3 billion by 2026.

Seasoned by 80+ years of evolvement, the lighting industry continues to innovate and expand market reach across almost every industry you can name. Lighting is in everything, everywhere, and affects everyone in all aspects of our daily routines. As we’ve come to rely on and expect this advanced technology, it’s often easier to overlook this market as one of the driving forces of innovation. One of the key advancements we’re seeing in the lighting industry is its entrance into the digital world. The lighting industry is stepping into the spotlight across the technology industry. Key companies and manufacturers are taking advantage of the use of lighting; digitally, wirelessly, and sustainably. The lighting industry as a whole is moving beyond its traditional purpose of illumination and adding value to tangible aspects of our, technologically advanced, new world.

Future Tech in the Lighting Industry

Technology that will Shape the Future:

Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR)

In the near term, the global AR/VR market is expected to grow by $125 billion in the period from 2020‒2024, according to research firm Technavio. As our digital world continues to advance into further capabilities of augmented and virtual realities, the lighting industry will evolve simultaneously. Beyond video gaming and entertainment use cases, virtual reality (VR) is on track to be utilized across a wide range of industries – vastly impacting the way we do business. For example, a lighting designer could sit down with a potential client and physically show how various lighting options would look like at a job site through augmented reality.

This same concept would be transferable across all industries and increase efficiency – leading to less waste, less downtime, and less confusion when delivering a product or service. To advance to this space, technology will need to continue to advance within the lighting industry. Innovations such as liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), digital light processing (DLP), and liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCoS) lighting have built a strong foundation but individually lack in certain areas. The jury is still out on which innovative solution is to come, but the advancement is inevitable.

Machine Learning (ML)

As we venture into the possibilities of creating fully virtual worlds, lighting technologies are bound to play a major role in the way we create a life-like experience using imagery. But before that can come to fruition, data collection and machine learning (ML) will set the stage. The lighting industry will rely on this technology to further advance products through the collection of learned data and routines. The data collected by an all-digital lighting infrastructure is essential for diagnostics and root-cause analysis. The ability to detect and minimize premature wear out or system failures becomes essential when implementing lighting technology into critical devices – such as those in the healthcare industry. Further, the ability to digitally learn patterns and routines within homes and businesses will increase sustainability and cost-saving features by conserving energy during downtime.

Internet of Things (IoT)

In today’s day and age, we rely on the internet to be connected in most of our devices and throughout our daily routines. By no surprise, the Internet of Things (IoT) industry is booming with no sign of slowing down. This has made it a key player in the advancement in the lighting industry. Since lighting is used all around us, IoT enabled lighting advances the development of connected systems. This collaboration of two industries is further enabling smart buildings and devices we use in offices, businesses, and homes. Implementing IoT enabled LED lighting in every room of a building helps create smarter buildings and cities, enabling countless capabilities.

A particular market that is on the rise in the lighting industry is human-centric lighting (HCL). HCL is defined as light that mimics natural daylight throughout the hours of a day that in turn allows our bodies to function in their most natural and effective state. Human-centric lighting is among the key markets that are thought to be most effectively implemented with IoT compatible lighting. Further, we are seeing IoT compatible LED lighting as the powerhouse behind systems that innovate air conditioning and heating, power grid management, and even next-gen wireless communications.

Li-Fi

With the explosive advancements in 5G technology, Li-Fi is has become a key player in the cellular and internet space. As 5G connection ramps up and slowly becomes available, Li-Fi has been able to fill a gap in how efficiently we’re able to access information. Essentially, Li-Fi is the upgraded version of Wi-Fi internet connectivity using light rather than radio waves to transfer connection. With the functionality to transfer data at speeds up to one hundred times faster, it has opened up the unlimited capabilities the lighting industry has to offer. For example, having Li-Fi integrated into LED lighting would create an alternate path for internet connectivity in high traffic and functioning spaces such as commercial buildings such as airports and offices. By being able to transmit at multiple gigabits, being more reliable, virtually interference free, and uniquely more secure than radio technology such as Wi-Fi or cellular, Li-Fi is the key to a connected community.

Lighting Controls

The advancement of IoT and Li-Fi technology has enabled the lighting industry to develop innovated lighting controls. These controls allow for ease of use and functionality within lighting products. With smart lighting as the clear future of the lighting industry and products, these controls have become a vital piece in the inevitable adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) and other advancing technology. From these advancements, sensors and lighting automation have seen an influx in demand. By using integrated sensors and controls, no central control hardware or room-based sensors need to be wired. This allows for a faster installation and increased accessibility. It has now become simple for users to adjust settings, automate schedules, and utilize their lighting products from virtually anywhere by connecting through portable applications – no cables or wires required. On a larger scale, this capability allows for the collection of important information about the operation of structures or systems such as power grids and emergency generators. Allowing us to make more informed decisions and ensures safety precautions are in place and running smoothly at all times.

The Future of Hiring in the Lighting Industry:

As these technologies linked to the lighting industry continue to advance, what does this mean in terms of the industry’s job market? For clients, candidates, and recruiters alike it means honing in on key skill sets and niches that stand out. One of the top skills impacting the lighting industry involves controls implementation. This certain integration with other technologies is not an intuitive process and requires specific education that is not simply taught on the job. In today’s job market, electrical contractors can differentiate themselves by their ability as system integrators. In turn, recruiters can highlight these candidates and hiring managers can start their search for these candidates while the supply is still available. A working knowledge of the various protocols and best practices for integration will be critical for the foreseeable future.

Li-Fi is another key market that should be narrowed in on when sifting through candidate’s skills and knowledge. This new technology has momentum, products are available, and the limitations of 5G in interior spaces will further accelerate the value of Li-Fi in the marketplace. Electrical engineers that understand the implementation of data-flow solutions through Li-Fi-enabled fixtures will be vastly sought after in the lighting industry.

Lastly, COVID-19 has brought on an increased need for advanced technology within the healthcare industry. Niche market segments like ultraviolet disinfection products have increased in demand. Ultraviolet light has been used to sterilize and disinfect medical equipment for quite some time but lacked innovation as of recently. The global impact of the pandemic triggered researchers across the globe to develop an ultraviolet LED solution to disinfect and sterilize hospital beds, floors, and surfaces more thoroughly than ever before. This has become critical technology and with its new advancement, the lighting industry is predicted to build upon these innovations and further implement them across industries.

As we can see, lighting plays an integral role in essentially every market sector. Coupled with recent innovation in technology, the capabilities are endless. With the overall theme of emerging tech moving toward all-digital infrastructures, every new innovation in the lighting industry leads to a golden opportunity to lay the foundation for advancement. The global lighting industry is expected to grow to $163 billion by 2027, which has proven itself not to be a market to overlook. When navigating this exciting time in a growing sector, utilize the expertise of Blue Signal’s recruiters who are seasoned with over 15 years of experience hiring within the lighting industry. We are a trusted source with a firm understanding of what it takes to find qualified candidates – faster than the speed of light. Reach out to one of our specialized recruiters today and start illuminating the way to your perfect hire or dream job.

Recruiting Across Different Generations

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The Generational Divide: Recruiting Employees Across Different Generations

Today's workforce currently includes four generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Gen Z. With so many differing ideals and motivators, avoiding conflict and fostering cohesion between these age groups is essential. To create a robust and diverse workplace, examine your recruitment process, job advertising, employee benefits offerings, and internal culture to ensure that you’re attracting and retaining the best talent.

 

What Differentiates the Four Generations Found in the Workforce Today?

Generations are demographic groups arranged by birth years that are often defined and affected by significant cultural or historical events within their lifetimes. For example, the Greatest Generation (born in 1901 – 1924) lived through the Great Depression and World War II, whereas Baby Boomers (born in 1946 – 1964) had the 60s counterculture, civil rights movements, and the Vietnam War that set the tone within their lifetimes.

Technology and the internet are significant factors for the four most recent generations currently in the workforce. Boomers adopted technology as older adults, while Gen X (born in 1965 – 1980) was the first to have access to personal computers. Meanwhile, Millennials (born in 1981 – 1996) and Gen Z (born in 1997-2012) are "digital natives" who have had internet access for most, if not all, of their lives.

Differentiating the Four Generations

Recruiting Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z Talent

When setting up your digital recruitment strategy to attract diverse and talented employees, you'll want to reach your target audience where they are and keep job seekers' goals in mind while marketing the position to candidates. For generations across the board, you can feel free to forgo print media. Boomers might not be digital natives, but most have smartphones, and many are active social media users.

In addition to platforms like LinkedIn and third-party job boards, consider mobile and SMS advertising. Using various media tactics and communication channels such as social media goes a long way toward maximizing your recruiting potential across different generations.

 

Best Practices for Advertising Jobs & Benefits to Multigenerational Candidates

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to enticing candidates with job descriptions and benefits, certain perks attract some age groups more than others. Appealing to job seekers by their generation can help you advertise your position and communicate to potential hires with exactly what your company has to offer.

Advertising Jobs to the Four Generations

Use the following list as a general guide to what each generation finds appealing in terms of work, company culture, and benefits:

Baby Boomers

Less concerned about company culture, most Boomers want to know about day-to-day duties and how their experience can contribute to the organization. They like to hear about the why behind decisions, and how the results of their actions will support company success. These job seekers are looking for stability, good healthcare benefits, and the potential for flexible hours as they get closer to retirement.

Generation X

Most Generation X candidates will be looking for growth opportunities as well as professional development and clear paths to promotion. Work-life balance will also be important as job seekers in this generation may be caring for aging parents or children. Healthcare and good retirement benefits have strong appeal for this group.

Millennials

Company culture and ethics are important to this age group. Most Millennials want to work for businesses they can believe in and trust. They thrive on social connection and want to work for companies with strong internal culture. Perks like working from home, free lunches, and gym memberships, in addition to affordable healthcare and flexible PTO, attract this generation.

Generation Z (Zoomers)

Much like Millennials, the ethics of your company will be important to Gen Z. They'll want the same perks as their Millennial counterparts and typically thrive in all-digital environments or work-from-home setups. Conversely, they will not pay much mind to company culture, as long as they are treated as equals amongst peers.

Hiring managers might not be able to offer benefits that appeal across all of these demographics. However, including the benefits and perks your company offers, providing insight into day-to-day work tasks, and adding an overview of your office culture in your recruitment efforts goes a long way toward attracting a diverse workforce.

 

Hiring the Right Candidate

When looking to add a diverse mix of people and generations to your company, the bottom line is that you want the best of the best in terms of talent. While tailoring your recruitment advertising to attract multigenerational candidates is essential, at the end of the day, you want the best person for the job. So regardless of a candidate's specific generation, look for the following traits and concepts when making a hire:

Preparation 

Regardless of a candidate's generation, job seekers should be informed and ready to talk about your company. Not only should they be able to give detailed answers about the business, its background, and its purpose, but good candidates will also have company-specific questions prepared for the interviewer.

Zeal

Look for job seekers who are genuinely interested in the position. Have they done any research into your industry? How are they keeping up with trends and technologies in this area? Employers can train skills, but you can't teach enthusiasm. Therefore, candidates who display eagerness and a drive to succeed in their field or career are ideal.

Suitability

Emphasizing company culture in an interview has two main benefits. First, noting the values and mission of your company will strongly appeal to Millennial and Gen Z candidates. Describing these dynamics and seeing how a candidate reacts can be very telling. Second, specific, detailed interview questions about how the candidate embodies or believes in these same values and mission of the business can help you determine which candidate is the best fit for your team. All the better if the candidate has questions of their own regarding culture, allowing you further insight into what their role would be in the team’s structure if brought on.

Initiative

Beyond training, potential employees need to be very self-motivated to fulfill their roles. Working from home and performing tasks with little supervision is the new normal, and employees will oftentimes have to figure things out for themselves. Asking interview questions about how candidates have taken initiative in the past or have thrived in a role with low supervision can help you make an informed hiring choice.

 

Best Practices to Support a Diverse Team

To support a multigenerational workforce, managers need to encourage a proactive office environment that promotes inclusion. By catering to different communication styles, offering two-way mentorships, emphasizing respect, and avoiding certain assumptions and stereotypes, companies can reduce conflicts due to different age groups in the workplace.

Support Diverse Generations Team

Varied Communication Channels

One factor that differs among all four generations is their communication preferences. For example, Baby Boomers often favor calls or face-to-face meetings, while many Millennials and Zoomers might prefer text or video chats. To bridge the gap and create a collaborative workspace, offer a variety of in-person meetings, calls, chats, email, and social media so everyone can use their favorite communication methods or explore new options.

Reverse Mentoring

Setting up two-way mentorships among people in different age groups has several benefits. The concept centers on both parties sharing what they know with one another without a power struggle. By pairing an older worker with a younger employee, one might gain insights from the other's extensive experience while inspiring a more tech-savvy approach to problem-solving.

Respect

Respecting workers regardless of age should be the cornerstone of your workplace culture. Acknowledging that both Boomers and Millennials have a wealth of knowledge and talent to bring to the table can break stereotypes. Placing value evenly among Generation X and Zoomers can encourage collaboration. Treating all generations as equals will strengthen relationships among colleagues.

Avoid Assumptions

Assuming what people want, based either on your own generational view or preconceived notions about others, can throw off the balance of your workplace. Instead of guessing that a younger worker might want more vacation time as a benefit rather than working from home, simply ask them. As an overarching rule of thumb, by talking with employees and finding out about which incentives/benefits, processes, or communication styles they prefer, you are more likely to retain your staff and avoid leaning into stereotypes based on age.

Mix Things Up

Fight the urge to group younger employees together with the assumption that they'll work well together or get along better. By allowing your office to settle into a natural mix, with younger and older employees working side by side, you can encourage communication and collaboration. Let workers find what they have in common on their own and discover the strengths that each individual and group brings to the table.

 

Beyond the Generation Gap: Life & Career Stages

Some studies suggest that the four generations' values and preferences really aren't that different, despite popular opinion on the matter. In fact, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) suggests that career and life stages play a more significant role in workplace relationships and management.

For example, apartment dwelling Zoomers and Gen Xers who are single with no kids may have more in common, along with similar goals and needs, than a Boomer or Millennial with a mortgage and a family. A person's life stage is another way to define someone beyond their generation.

Similarly, Boomers who are changing careers and Zoomers fresh out of college both have to figure out how to navigate modern hiring processes and online interviews successfully. These employees may also seek out promotions to advance their new careers and increase their salaries. While appealing to the wants and needs of each generation can help recruitment, similar life and career stages often transcend differences between age groups in the workplace.

 

Resources for Recruiting Generations Across the Spectrum

Whether you’re looking to hire Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Gen Z, or just need the best of the best, leverage a recruiter. Recruiting firms are experts at navigating the constantly changing landscape of the job market. It’s a recruiter’s duty to represent people based on skill, looking beyond gender, generation, race, ethnicity, etc. When looking to create a robust and diverse workplace, consider engaging with a firm like Blue Signal to truly strategize your recruitment process, job advertising, employer branding, and so much more to attract and retain the best talent – no matter their generation.

 

About our Contributor, Hazel Bennett: Hazel Bennett is a freelance writer and blogger. She has a degree in communications and lives in Northeastern Ohio. Hazel loves writing about numerous topics and showcasing her expertise with words.

Winning the War for Talent in 2021

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As the competition heats up among industries to snag the best of the best to fill open roles, it’s becoming more clear we are experiencing a “War for Talent.” The phrase “War for Talent” is not a new term in the recruiting industry, as it was first coined in 1997 by Steven Hankin of McKinsey. In their 2001 book The War for Talent, authors Ed Michaels, Helen Handfield-Jones, and Beth Axelrod predicted that “the make-or-break for firms in the next two decades would be the ability to attract, develop, and retain talent.” In 2021, we’re in the thick of that battle, struggling to beat out the competition and win over top talent. Though there is an uptick in hiring across the board, with a closer look you’ll see just how small the market is when targeting top-tiered talent with niche skills and specialties. With over 7 million jobs recently posted online, the industry is experiencing an abundance of open roles and a lack of qualified candidates to fill them. In light of this sudden and increasing need for talent, job seekers are left with the upper hand. In today’s market, when it comes to winning the war for talent, employers need to take meaningful action by offering unique benefits, remaining flexible, improving branding, and focusing on retention post-hire. 

War for Talent: 4 Steps

Roll Out the Red Carpet

The current job market is in the hands of the job seekers — so it’s important to get to know your audience. Millennials for example, (who in just five short years will comprise almost 50% of the workforce) have different expectations for jobs than their predecessors did. 86% of Millennials put values, like respect for peers, before salary and 82% prefer to work from home at least one day a week. Now more than ever, hiring managers and companies need to be rolling out the red carpet and concede to the demands of those on the job hunt. Large, leading tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook have been perfect examples of this in the past as we’ve seen them building, buying, or rehabbing office spaces to make them attractive and appealing to workers. However, today’s climate calls for a little more creativity as the majority of companies and candidates are switching to the work from home model, making fancy office spaces obsolete. Companies are now branching out, offering new incentives like Peloton bikes, paid time off for mental health, additional vacation days, raises, and bonuses to keep their employees motivated and happy. Unfortunately, if you’re not doing your homework to find out what benefits your employees actually care about, you’ll be taking a shot in the dark. 

Poaching and persuading top talent isn’t an altogether new concept but with today’s market, it’s now become a crucial part of everyone’s talent search. The rule of thumb when recruiting for top talent while competing in any industry is to assume there is always another offer on the table. Whether the candidate is actively interviewing for other roles or gets offered a promotion/raise by their current employer when handing in their notice - push your boundaries and dive deep to find what you can offer that no one else will. 

Be Flexible & Act Fast 

With so many competing offers and employers incentivizing candidates to stay where they are - quick decisions in the hiring process are crucial. Just imagine, while a hiring manager is contemplating possible,  better candidates, the perfect candidate they let go cold is accepting another offer. With the majority of talent currently working from home, the process of taking an interview during the day has become a breeze. Candidates can resign from their current position and start a new one with the simple act of shipping back one laptop and receiving another in its place. This simplified and fast-acting turnover is exactly why it is imperative to remain flexible, open, and decisive when recruiting top talent. 

The flexibility shouldn’t stop there. Being open to offering a flexible schedule in today’s market is another “must-have” on a majority of applicants’ lists. It’s been reported that “up to half of employees might quit their jobs if remote or hybrid work arrangements are not provided post-pandemic.” Due to this new norm, industries across the board are now competing on a national scale rather than with their local markets. By choosing not to employ remote workers, you are actively limiting your candidate pool. Offering a flexible work schedule is becoming non-negotiable when keeping up with the competition. With job seekers in the driver’s seat and in a position to make demands, hiring managers need to be listening. 

Step Up Digital Branding & Awareness

Enticing a candidate to join a new company goes beyond what’s written on an offer. Most potential hires are conducting their own research on companies they’re looking to join, digitally. With the internet as the new marketplace, it is absolutely crucial to have a stellar online reputation and top-notch digital branding in place. As a simple fact of life, first impressions are everything - and more often than not, that introduction doesn’t come straight from a company email. 

When a candidate is deciding if they should apply to a company, their first instinct will be to dig up some background information and see if they can picture themselves at the company. Ensuring consistent, clean, and up-to-date branding across all platforms positions you as a well-oiled machine, and instills a sense of confidence - which will result in more applicants. 

Beyond consistency and aesthetics in branding, companies should be going above and beyond to create buzz in their industries. PR initiatives and posting exciting company news online can get job seekers’ attention and spark a good impression before they even land on your website/social channels. Another common way candidates look into a potential employer is through their online reviews and testimonials. This goes without saying, but poor reviews are one of the most passive reasons top talent will walk away from a job offer or even an initial interview. Open the door to communication by conducting exit interviews with employees leaving the company to uncover and address issues before they affect your incoming talent. Better yet, encourage satisfied customers to leave a positive review about their experience.

Invest in Training

With the added competition of today’s recruiting market, it’s important to remember that your job isn’t done when a new hire is made. In some cases, this is when the real work begins as your focus shifts to retaining that hire. One of the best ways to ensure retention of new hires is training, training, training! Investing in thorough and continued training programs is crucial in today’s market when the act of making the initial hire is already such an uphill battle. Hiring professionals agree that “in every industry and sector, among companies large and small, a new conversation must occur as upskilling and reskilling become the new norm.” Employers need to be more proactive by providing employees with the resources and time needed to learn the material and skills. Companies can focus on creating their own internal training that’s specific to their processes by including real on-the-job examples. The biggest mistake you can make after landing a top talent hire is to go into their employment blindly. Do your research and leverage tried and true methods to make sure you retain that expertise in-house. 

With the intensity of today’s job market, offering unique benefits, remaining flexible and fast-acting, and ensuring retention after a hire is made can give your company the edge it needs to land top talent. Just like this job market overall, the way recruiting is conducted is changing at unprecedented speeds. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, Blue Signal can help. We’re experts in this realm and most importantly, we have the dedicated time to complete the open job searches you need filled. A significant benefit in working with a recruiting firm such as Blue Signal is the ability to target passive candidates, which is a game-changer in this climate. The days of waiting around for candidates to come to you and apply to your job posting on their own are over. According to a LinkedIn study, only 15% of employees say they are completely satisfied with their jobs and would not be open to a change. In the midst of this “War for Talent,” you want to be working with the best. If you’re ready to start a conversation about how you can better target and retain top talent in your field, reach out to us today. 

Digital Recruitment: The New Normal of the Staffing Industry

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The Coronavirus outbreak caught many of us off guard. Social distancing, fear of an unknown disease, and, most of all, closure of many businesses around the world has left a huge impact on people's psyche and financial wellbeing. As what we knew of the structure of a business changed to meet the “new normal,” hunting for employment online has significantly increased since last year.

As we have seen, many companies took their business online. Following suit, the recruiting process also needed to be updated to ensure safety and minimize physical exposure by using digital recruitments strategies. For both employers and job seekers, being online is a must! In order to properly leverage this advantage the online job marketplace holds during these otherwise uncertain times, read on for some best practices regarding digital recruitment and its changing landscape.

 

As a Job Seeker, Identify Businesses Thriving in 2020

Events of this year have had a huge impact on everyone’s lives. Even with the tragedies and trials 2020 has instilled, there is always a silver lining. Since March of 2020, social gatherings and travelling seem to be a thing of the past. The economy has taken a dive, particularly in the areas of business that thrive on these social norms including tourism, entertainment, F&B, and retail.

On the other hand, online purchases, virtual education, and digital content creation are in high demand in 2020. When thinking about applying for a job, keep in mind those verticals that have best adapted to the times, and are more likely to be hiring. People with skills in digital media will probably have better luck than those in in-person fields. If possible, try and build out skills in these remote-work areas of operation.

 

As a Business, Build Out your Online Presence to Attract Quality Candidates

With people online more than ever, virtual marketing strategies are crucial in keeping audiences engaged with a brand. In several cases, online touch points such as social media pages, websites, and digital advertisements may be the only way people interact with a business. In order to attract candidates to a business, a company needs to have a strong online presence. Whether that’s through third-party recruiting firms or posting on job sites, potential employees need to see a brand that’s thriving in order to want to jump on board.

The power of Google search is essential for those seeking employment. To tap into that market, the perfect candidate needs to be able to find opportunities easily. To get to the top of the organic search results, companies must have an organized and SEO optimized website. Additionally, having a site containing quality content related to the business can offer a potential glance into its strategies and aims as a company. If the candidate shares the same beliefs and visions, they are much more likely to want to work there. But first, they need to be able to find what exactly those beliefs and visions are.

Let's not forget about social media! There are almost 3 billion users on Facebook, and nearly 27 million users on Instagram in 2020 - making both perfect platforms to market and promote a business. Linking websites to socials, and socials to sites, ensures that candidates can easily track and learn more about a potential employer, gaining invaluable insight into company culture and other key factors.

 

2020’s Best Digital Recruiting Strategies for Candidates and Hiring Authorities

1. Hire a Recruiting Firm

The US staffing industry consists of numerous agencies that can make a search a whole lot easier. The majority of them have digitized their recruiting strategy long before the pandemic struck and are using softwares and other tools to uncover perfect matches. In times of crisis, company leaders don’t have time to scroll through numerous application letters to select the ideal hire. Recruiting companies can help cut down the time a role is left open, and actually save businesses money.

 

2. Create and Maintain a LinkedIn Page

The staffing process is made easier through the use of networking platforms such as LinkedIn. This growing community of job seekers use this online platform to discuss job opportunities, best practices, industry insights, and so much more. Participating in a space like this helps keep businesses at the forefront of innovation, and at the top of mind for applicants. And, once they have a job opening, companies can post on LinkedIn to find easily accessible, qualified candidates in the peripheral network of the industry.

 

3. Streamline your Video Interviewing Process

While online presence and using the right digital recruiting strategies are essential in gathering potential hires, video interviewing is a decisive factor that allows insight into each of the candidates personally. The video interview also allows employers to build a relationship as a steppingstone in a successful collaboration. To get the most out of this process, employers and hiring authorities should really nail down what it is they want to see from the interviewing process. Before stepping in front of a camera, they should understand what the end goal is, and create a pathway to achieve it.

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Coronavirus and its unprecedented impact on the economy has left a global wreckage in its wake. Luckily, digital recruitment can help to keep businesses going and people employed when used correctly. With safety as the number one priority today, new strategies in the staffing industry can ensure growth without risk. Being online has proven beneficial for job seekers and employers to stay in the game. As the staffing industry continues to change to meet the needs of employers and employees alike, digital recruitment will continue to play a larger part in the success of many industry verticals. Do you feel prepared? Contact one of our expert recruiters today to discuss your digital strategy and strengthen your position within the new normal.