Three Recruiting Trends to Watch in 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has emphasized the pivotal role that technology has on overall business success. Organizations have gone through extensive operational restructuring to support remote workers, service customers and adapt to an ever-changing environment. Experts predict this work will continue well into 2021. Once the pandemic response is complete, there will be a return to operational focus on strategy and digital transformation. Listed below are three recruiting trends to watch:

  1. Virtual Recruiting

Virtual recruiting is here to stay. Companies have embraced the technology and adapted to support an end-to-end virtual recruiting process. They are seeing the benefits of both cost and time savings. It is important to define the steps in the virtual hiring process. Some considerations include:

  • Write a detailed job description
  • Move quickly and efficiently through the interview process steps
  • Look for opportunities to add in the human touch
  • Highlight company culture and values
  • Develop a standardized rating system
  • Build a strong employer brand and social media presence

 

  1. Building from Within or Acquiring

A recent LinkedIn survey showed 50% of recruiters expect their recruiting budgets to decrease in 2021. Building an internal mobility program is going to be essential to staff projects.  HR, Learning/Development and Recruiting departments will partner to document employee’s skills, determine education gaps, provide education, and match staff to internal job opportunities. Promoting internally will boost morale, increase job-security, and retain productive people. 

Recruiters needing to hire will shift their focus from looking for candidates with specific technical skillsets, to favoring those candidates who are versitile and can adapt to different positions as business needs change. Some companies may also decide to acquire other businesses because of their people. This can reduce the skills gap in their own organization and provide immediate access to a highly-skilled talent pool.

  1. Workplace Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity in the workplace relates to how an organization employs a diverse team of people that is reflective of society. This incorporates elements that make individuals unique from one another such as gender, race, age, sexual orientation, etc. Inclusion relates to how well the contributions and perspectives of different groups of people are valued and integrated into the workplace.  Diversity and inclusion must go together as each is dependent on the other.

Implementing a diversity and inclusion strategy should begin with company leadership and touch every aspect of the organization. Experts recommend recruiters focus on eliminating bias during the hiring process. More companies now understand the benefits of having a diverse workforce which include:

  • Ethnically and gender diverse companies yield higher revenues
  • Diverse organizations are more successful at recruiting and retaining talent
  • Inclusive workplaces maximize talent, productivity, and innovation
  • Inclusion boosts company reputation

 

This has been a challenging year for both large and small business in every sector. We will likely see the effects of this economic disruption continue into 2021 and beyond. These challenges have created innovation, shown that a remote workforce can be supported and productive, and that adaptability is the key to success. 

 

Contributed by: Amy Noel