The last two years have changed everything. From conflict and civil unrest to the global pandemic, restrictions on businesses and supply chain problems, the global workplace looks vastly different than it did in early 2020. Shifts in our work environments and the hiring landscape are happening at lightning speed, and it’s important for your organization to shift as well. In order to obtain and retain the best people for your company, be mindful of these six recruiting and hiring trends.
1 / There Are Not Enough Employees to Fill Demand
According to a 2022 Cappfinity survey, there are currently over 11 million job openings in the United States. U.S. Department of Labor data shows that more than 4.5 million people left their jobs in November 2021, up from 4.2 million the previous month. These are the highest numbers in over 20 years.
In fact, the talent shortage is so widespread that it has been called “The Great Resignation.” Workers are taking advantage of the intense competition and using it as an opportunity to seek better pay, hours and benefits. At the same time, Robert Half research shows that two in three U.S. companies plan to expand their teams in the first half of 2022. How is your company competing? What are jobseekers looking for?
Companies are implementing several tactics to attract skilled candidates.
- 55% are increasing salaries
- 50% are offering remote options and evaluating candidates outside their geographical area
- 44% are providing signing bonuses
- 41% are offering more paid time off
- 31% are loosening education, skills or experience requirements
These options give today’s professionals more negotiating power, so employers “must move quickly and create a positive candidate experience from the initial contact to the job offer,” explained Robert Half Senior Executive Director, Paul McDonald.
This is a good time to implement remote-friendly recruiting strategies to gain an advantage when competing for top talent. Research shows that more than half of professionals are interested in fully remote positions, so make the process remote-friendly from Day One. If you’re looking to expand beyond your traditional geographical area, it’s crucial to partner with a staffing firm like CP & Krell Group, which has a global footprint. Firms like this can leverage their extensive talent network to save you time and money.
2 / Culture Is a Priority for Employees
A company’s culture and core values are more important than ever. The Cappfinity survey shows that 80 percent of job seekers want to understand a company’s culture before they accept an offer. Revisit your company’s core values and analyze how the culture of your company is being demonstrated by employees and leaders alike.
Imbue the interview process with references to and examples of your company’s culture; be bold and share with candidates the ways you implement your core values in the workplace. Today’s employees focus on ideals like teamwork, togetherness and collaboration and look to company leadership to exemplify these values in obvious ways. This is a new era of hiring that requires a candidate-first approach.
3 / Provide an Omnichannel Experience
Successful companies in the 2020s are engaging their users in new ways. Add value to your organization by adding talented team members who understand how to be successful in an omnichannel environment. An omnichannel approach engages users, customers and teams by giving access to products, offers and support services across all channels, platforms and devices.
Companies like Disney, Sephora and Starbucks market, sell and interact with their customers not only in retail spaces but through apps and websites, designing an interactive customer experience no matter how the customer reaches out. Each channel is connected, with real-time updates, allowing for seamless transitions.
Instead of offering support only through your website, for example, are you reaching your customers through Facebook messenger, live chat features on your app or via email? When you hire talent familiar with these methods, you’ll increase your reach, your profits and your customer satisfaction.
4 / Drug Test Regulations Are Changing
With global talent shortages reaching a 15-year high, many companies have recognized that some things need to change. For many, that means eliminating barriers to hiring, such as educational requirements or marijuana drug tests. The Great Resignation has become an advantage for workers but has left many employers in a difficult position.
Crippling staff shortages mean companies may need to reconsider their drug use policies. Of course, not all employers are willing to make these changes, and there are valid reasons to be concerned about lowering these standards. How will this affect job performance, safety and liability? What is the potential for impairment? Many states have changed their legislation regarding marijuana use, so it’s important to stay current on the laws in your state as well as in other states or countries where you may have applicants or employees.
5 / Diversity Is No Longer a Novelty in the Business World
In a 2019 survey, 71 percent of employees in the U.S., U.K., Germany and France said their companies employed a diverse workforce. This statistic leaves plenty of room for improvement, but the trend toward embracing diversity and inclusion will continue to impact global recruiting practices in the years ahead.
People from different backgrounds and cultures bring new perspectives to the company, and research shows that diverse teams are better at solving complex problems; have more innovative ideas; and make better decisions. A global survey of employees in 2020 found that 90 percent of employees who work for a “diverse” company report higher levels of happiness, inclusion and trust. If your team feels a little too homogenous, it’s time to widen your net.
It’s important to recruit and develop inclusive leaders at every level of your company. By leveraging recruiting firms with a global reach, such as CP & Krell Group, you’ll have access to candidates from around the world who are ahead of the curve on innovation but also represent a wide array of viewpoints, cultures and experience.
6 / Remote Work Is Here to Stay
Who would have ever thought that we would spend so much time talking to each other through our computers? Just a couple of years ago, this type of work was definitely not the norm, but it looks as though at least a hybrid of in-person and remote work is here to stay. More than one-third of companies say they are willing to hire remote workers from anywhere in the world, and 60 percent of applicants are seeking flexibility in when and where they work.
In 2022, offering choices that allow employees to maintain their work/life balance is more important than ever. This is a good time to evaluate the types of benefits or perks that make your company special. Present remote opportunities and the culture of collaboration that exists at your company when interviewing and meeting with candidates.
If your company is looking to expand your team this year, keep these six recruiting trends in mind and take some time to look at the ways your company is perceived, presented and promoted to potential employees. By seeking out the best talent; focusing on culture and diversity; providing omnichannel experiences (and finding team members who understand their importance); keeping new regulations in mind; and offering flexibility with remote work, you can overcome the shifts in the global workplace.
With nearly 25 years of experience in executive corporate roles for iconic direct sales companies, Carlos Perez, Managing Partner of The CP & KRELL Group, leverages his unparalleled insight to connect the best and most relevant professionals with your organization. The CP & KRELL Group is a Global Executive Search firm and an affiliate of MRINetwork.
From the March 2022 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.
