The Changing Landscape of Recruiting in 2014
Simply Hired Staff
The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “Change is the only constant in life.” In looking back on the last 12 months, it’s obvious that 2014 was a banner year for change on both a global level and in the world of recruiting and HR.
The rise of employer branding, advances in technology as well as changes in the structure of work, along with how employees approach work, are just a few of the trends we tracked at Simply Hired in 2014. Here are a few highlights, with links to relevant articles we’ve published.
Employer Branding
In a recent study the majority of employers surveyed said they have articulated an employer brand. No longer reserved for companies with big budgets, employer branding is top-of-mind for many companies, and it extends to the candidate experience. Our e-book “Recruitment Strategy in the Age of Branding and Mobile” offers specific recommendations on how to streamline your application process so that it contributes to a positive employer brand.
But how do you measure employer brand? This fall, Simply Hired announced the Employer Brand Index (EBI), which measures the level of preference a company generates from potential employees based on the rate at which they engage with job ads. Currently the EBI is available for retail brands and will be made available for brands in other industries in 2015.
Technology
Social, mobile, applicant tracking software, cloud storage—those are just a few of the ways technology has influenced recruitment. Change will accelerate as more web traffic moves to mobile devices and creates the necessity of planning technology enhancements and putting new measurement tools in place. It also means that recruiters must become more comfortable with data. Letting data become your ally in your quest to solve business problems is a great way to demystify potentially boring charts and graphs.
Flexible Work Models
In his HRE article “How to Adapt and Thrive in 2014,” Simply Hired president and CEO James Beriker listed the rise of flexible work models as one of the key factors to pay attention to in 2014. In a series about alternative work models, we interviewed people in part-time and remote positions. Our conversations with recruiters about the best times to use contractors rounded out the series, creating a wholly positive view that offering part-time, temporary and remote work options is a great way to save on costs and keep employees happy.
Career Change Seekers
The economic and cultural environment has led to more people seeking to change careers or enter new fields out of necessity or personal interest. “We are now being given permission as a society to do what makes us happy,” said Wendy Nolin of Change Agent Careers. For recruiters this means working with hiring managers more proactively and keeping an open mind when reviewing candidates.
In Search of the American Dream Job
Taking the career fulfillment question one step further, our Dream Job survey looked at attitudes toward employment. While the vast majority of Americans believe it is important to have a job that matches their personality and strengths, and to have a career rather than just a job, only 35 percent said their current job represents their preferred profession.
With such a big disconnect between dreams and reality, it should become the task of career counselors, recruiters and managers alike to make sure that workers are guided and developed into roles that match both their strengths and desires. And with only 13 percent actively looking, it’s even more imperative for recruiters to attract passive candidates.
The wisdom of the ancients tells us that we can expect more change in 2015. What’s on your plate? Let us know in the comments.
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