A little over four months into 2024, and hiring strategies are changing — as are the priorities and tactics of applicants. Technology and recruitment trends often appear linked — but which one is driving the other? Is AI changing the world, or are we adjusting how we hire to take advantage of recruitment tech developments?
This post will examine some of the biggest recruiting trends that have emerged this year and look at how technology is affecting them.
1. Hiring teams are expected to do more with less.
Belt-tightening is nothing new. The economic uncertainty of the past few years has left most of us in a position of being asked to produce more or better results with fewer resources. But the idea of automating tasks can feel a bit more out of place in recruitment than on the production line.
While this trend is driven by austerity initiatives and budget trimming, recruitment technology is playing a vital role in helping hiring teams rise to the challenge.
Did You Know?
61% of companies expect to increase investment in talent acquisition technology, including AI-powered recruiting tools, candidate relationship management, and applicant tracking systems, over the next twelve months.
Recruiters worldwide are leveraging AI and analytics to streamline many of their tasks:
- Data analysis tools help predict the likelihood a candidate will accept a job offer while also tracking employee turnover rates and other relevant trends
- Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help organise and scale the hiring process to help reduce time-to-hire and cost-per-applicant
- AI-powered chatbots are answering applicant questions to improve the candidate experience and keep qualified applicants engaged
- Automated assessment tools can screen applicants, schedule interviews, and conduct background checks with limited human oversight
- Internal talent mobility tools help hiring teams identify and promote qualified candidates from within the organisation
2. Candidates are leveraging technology more than ever too.
As hiring professionals, we often focus on how new recruitment technology tools, but we can’t overlook the fact that candidates are also getting in on the game. AI-powered tools are levelling the playing field in a number of ways, putting candidates in a stronger position to negotiate.
Recruiters
- Use AI to create job ads and descriptions
- Automate applicant screening and communication
- Use chatbots to streamline communication throughout the hiring process
Applicants
- Use AI to write or edit CVs and application letters
- Automate comparison of job descriptions and salaries
- Use chatbots to streamline communication throughout the hiring process
The hiring experience — and the tasks involved — will continue to evolve as new technologies and tools continue to emerge.
3. Diversity remains a top priority for hiring teams.
Research has demonstrated that diversity plays a pivotal role in workforce productivity. But diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are also critical to employee retention and hiring. Glassdoor data indicates that 76% of job-seekers consider workforce diversity when evaluating job offers and potential employers. But what role can recruiting technology have in such a human element of hiring?
A growing number of hiring teams worldwide are embracing tech tools to eliminate bias in the hiring process, helping ensure that a diverse pool of applicants makes it through screening and interview processes.
- Creating bias-free job ads that don’t include gendered language or perpetuate stereotypes
- Anonymising applications to remove identifying information (name, address, age, educational qualifications, etc.) that could trigger unconscious bias
- Analysing data to identify bias or discrimination in the selection process
- Implementing “blind interviewing” to reduce bias using video screening tools
4. Remote or flexible work arrangements are (still) preferred.
Remote and hybrid working arrangements popularised during the height of the pandemic are here to stay. Research shows that two-thirds of job-seekers prefer positions that offer the flexibility to work remotely at least some of the time, and more than a third will not accept a position that requires them to be in the office every day.
What does this mean for hiring teams? Flexibility is the name of the game. Organisations that struggle to attract qualified applicants may need to rethink the way they expect staff to work, and recruiters should highlight flexible work options when advertising new positions.
Did You Know?
An estimated 4 million UK workers have changed jobs to gain more flexible work arrangements, and another 2 million have quit their jobs due to a lack of flexibility.
5. Recruitment teams are feeling overwhelmed.
Digital transformation is moving rapidly, and many recruitment teams struggle to keep up with developments in recruiting and technology. A 2024 survey indicates that 56% of talent acquisition professionals feel digital transformation is moving too fast for them. Hiring teams that fall behind on technology trends face increased challenges in finding qualified candidates and working within ever-tightening budgets.
The time, money, and resources required to integrate new tools into hiring workflows can seem daunting. How do you know which recruitment technology tools are right for you? How do you invest in new platforms and solutions without compromising the results you deliver for your team?
Hirematic’s advanced job ad solution offers hiring teams a risk-free way to access the efficiencies new technologies can provide. Our platform combines the power of AI and sophisticated algorithms with the knowledge and experience of our veteran recruitment experts to deliver more results, faster, at a lower CPA. To learn more about how our recruiting technology enhances distribution and optimises job ad performance, contact us about a no-obligation demo.
