In 2023, employers have changed the way they recruit, recognising and acknowledging the need to work in different ways to attract and retain top talent. Hiring trends adapt, as we do, but it seems there has never been a more important time to adapt hiring trends to attract top talent.
1) Soft Skills: Employers are placing greater focus on the soft skills new employees can bring, acknowledging the fact that our post-pandemic hybrid model of working places greater emphasis on the need for employees to be able to collaborate, communicate and adapt to situations more than ever before. More emphasis is being placed on sourcing employees with these soft skills, and so recruitment processes are changing to better identify these skills. Employers are placing more emphasis on the desired traits listed on job descriptions and are utilising more open ended and behavioural based questions during their interview process to identify these soft skills.
2) Talent Pools: Employers are increasingly using talent pools for future hiring needs. Inviting applications for current roles, they are now also building their own talent pools, which they then access when new roles are released. Working with a range of applicants, who have already expressed an interest in their business, employers aim to reduce recruitment costs and identify applicants for future hiring needs. Talent pools allow employers to track, engage and understand how to connect candidates to vacancies.
3) Employer Branding: In this highly competitive and talent short job market, employer branding is becoming more important to attract and retain talent. Businesses are using their company branding in new and innovative ways to better engage with talent, using their branding to better promote themselves, what they stand for, and what they might be like to work for. Employer branding plays a vital role in attracting, connecting with, and engaging potential new employees (and retaining employees). Maintaining a robust presence on social media platforms including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat helps businesses to reach top talent.
4) Attracting Candidates (New To The Employment Market): Employers are changing the way they recruit, recognising and acknowledging the need to attract and retain top talent, especially those joining the workforce post education. With the Gen Z workforce bringing with them a strong sense of social awareness and a commitment to inclusivity, this heightened focus on diversity and inclusiveness will shape the workforce culture, enabling an environment that is more open, equal, and accepting for all. Employers are adapting their hiring strategies to both attract and retain Gen Z employees.
5) Hybrid & Remote Working: It’s safe to say that hybrid working is here to stay. With the majority of applicants looking for a hybrid working model, employers have tilted policies with the majority offering at least 1-2 days working from home. Employers are also much more open to fully remote working models, reducing overheads and increasing productivity from employees. As hybrid/remote working continues to gain in popularity, employers are being more vocal on their offering to better attract and retain top talent.
Hiring trends will continue to evolve, as the need to attract and retain top talent continues at pace.
Lily Shippen is perfectly placed to work with both candidates and clients to navigate and advise on the 2023 hiring market.
