I could use some quick tips. I recently joined a talent acquisition firm that uses its own proprietary platform to streamline the recruitment process. My own background is in advertising and sales, which is why I’m looking for some guidance.
One of my coworkers explained that a fair amount of our competitors have similar platforms. Having never seen or heard of any others joining, it made sense to do some extra research.
What are some of the most relevant trends in corporate recruitment of which I should be aware? Any insight would be helpful, especially if it’s possible to share some openly available resources.
The state of corporate recruitment can be characterized in a single word: evolving. Now more than ever, executives admit that finding and retaining the best talent is a top priority. While talent acquisition and HR aren’t often considered as glamorous as product development or marketing, it’s difficult to deny the inherent value of their functions. As you might imagine, technology enablement continues to be a major contributing factor.
Begin by reading what Melanie Alvarez published on HR Technologist. She does an excellent job of introducing seven major trends to monitor in 2018. One of her first examples is the utilization of artificial intelligence, or AI, to accelerate decision-making and shortlisting. Increasing reliance on video conferencing tools and big data adds value to the recruitment process, especially for businesses competing for global talent. Remote working is also on the rise, which isn’t surprising, either.
Author Nick Deligiannis published a similar article on Silicon Republic, highlighting another ten trends to consider. His list echoes much of what Melanie said, but he also adds a few more key points. He begins by emphasizing the fact that the old school mentality of ‘advertise and apply’ is going by the wayside. The new mentality of ‘find and engage’ proves to be far more effective for recruitment in the modern age. Social media is an underused channel for identifying and connecting with top talent but it can be tricky and there’s a fair amount of risk involved. Getting on the same page with a social media training program for employees is a great to ensure that your company’s brand and values are accurately being represented with limited liability. There’s no doubt that a more proactive mindset is better for businesses and job seekers alike.
Another sound strategy is consulting professional resources that consolidate salient industry news and updates. Such resources exist for almost every industry and marketplace imaginable. The trick is finding the most reliable, trustworthy, and credible sources. Consider reading a staffing industry benchmarking report to first get your bearings. Also, don’t underestimate what you might learn from attending a related professional event. Conferences, summits, and speaker series are all examples of promising events.
One final suggestion is conducting research on different industry players. Your colleague disclosed the fact that competitors have taken a similar approach. However, that’s a broad and sweeping statement. Learning more about the shared similarities and differences is a good idea. Finding exceptional HR and staffing agencies has never been easier, thanks to the Internet, and search engines like Google. Forbes contributor, Josh Bersin, wrote a compelling article describing Google’s potential when it comes to disrupting the $200 billion recruiting industry. That’s another thing on which to keep a close eye.
The main goal is to understand more about your chosen industry. It’s difficult to go wrong, as long as you don’t call it quits too soon. Don’t take anything you find for granted, and remember to cross-reference data across multiple resources. It can often be just as easy to misinform yourself while doing this type of research.
“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” - Bill Cosby