5 Hiring Trends to Consider in 2021
Recruiting has never been a simple process, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated matters and shifted the talent pool. In this rapidly changing landscape, employers must adapt to attract and retain top-quality talent.
The following are five hiring trends employers should consider.
1. Looking Inward for Talent
Businesses are struggling with many constraints, chief among them being slim budgets. This reality is spurring employers to look internally for talent. Year over year, internal mobility has increased 20%, according to LinkedIn. And that’s not a huge surprise given that upskilling and retraining workers can be more cost-efficient than hiring from outside an organization. The focus will be more on transferrable skills than task-specific abilities in 2021.
2. Leveraging Technology
Even as workplaces reopen, a significant portion of employers will retain remote employees full- or part-time.
81% of talent professionals say virtual recruiting will continue even after the pandemic, according to LinkedIn. Notably, 70% of those professionals say virtual recruiting will become the new standard. That’s not entirely shocking since virtual communication is so commonplace and easily accessible. Employers should expect to continue virtual recruiting in some form and consider adopting technology that can help expand their efforts.
3. Embracing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
More diverse representation and greater equity have become huge issues. Employers have taken note and many companies have pledged to do better. Among talent professionals, 77% say diversity will be “very important” to the future of recruiting, according to LinkedIn. Further, candidates are increasingly making a diverse and inclusive workplace a top priority when job searching. Employers should strongly consider making a more concerted effort to diversify their workplaces.
4. Leading by Example
In the same vein as diversification efforts, employers are expected to be more vocal on social issues. Instead of promoting their products on social media, many businesses are discussing how they support their workers and communities. This helps organizations control how candidates view them, which can affect recruiting efforts. The trend ramped up last year and will likely continue in 2021.
Employers can expect more candidates to look for empathy and clearly defined virtues from their potential workplaces. Promoting these qualities could mean the difference between someone accepting an interview or not. And that fact isn’t lost on employers. Over half of talent professionals (63%) expect employer branding budgets to increase or stay the same, according to LinkedIn. Employers should anticipate more organizations to increase efforts to show—rather than tell—what their companies represent, especially in relation to employee wellbeing and social issues.
5. Turning to Temporary Workers
According to a recent Monster poll, 92% of job seekers said they think now is a good time to look into the gig economy. This includes independent contractors, freelancers, contract firm workers, and interim employees. On the employer side, with state and local lockdowns still on the table in some areas going into mid-2021, many industries are, in fact, hesitant to bring back staff or add to their workforce in a permanent way just yet.
Gig workers look at things like salary, flexibility, and expect fair treatment when considering which companies they want to work for. If your company is looking to fill more temporary roles this year, our Interim Talent Solutions practice is a great option for organizations managing both change and the bottom line.
Employers will need to get creative with their recruiting efforts. Luckily, there are some proven methods for doing just that. Want more workplace guidance, including attraction and retention tips? Connect with one of our dedicated EFL Associates Search Consultants today.