As a recruiter, you are well aware of the fact that the recruitment industry has been undergoing major changes in the last decade. Global recession, the shift towards machines, increase in demands for more expertise-oriented jobs, we have seen it all. This shift has become all the more frequent in the last 4 years since the pandemic. While COVID-19 remains one of the most tragic occurrences in the history of human experience, humans have also proved their mettle by innovating the very methods of existence. And this has been reflected in one of the most dominant parts of our lives in the 21st century: work. 

In 2023, these changes have translated into trends that are governing the ways organizations function and the process of hiring. We are already in the third quarter, and we have so far a somewhat fair understanding of recruitment trends that are going to rule the rest of 2023 and the coming years. But a certain apprehension persists in the air as the unknown comes to life. We still don’t know how these trends will be realized in our working lives. Some of them are improved updates of our old ways of working while the others are different in ways we have never seen in the past.  We can start by forming conjectures and taking risks to stay forward but more or less, it’s the shooting in the dark that’s creating a general sense of fear in the industry. 

But that is the world of business. Unseen challenges will come up here and there and we have no other choice than to face them. The first step to having the prerequisite tools to face such challenges is awareness. And as long as we use this awareness to respond to new challenges with our tools of imagination and strength, we are more likely than not to come out with flying colors. 

So clear the decks for recruitment trends of 2023 and possible ways to use these trends to your advantage. 

Trend Direction 1: Tech Recruitment

The fact that technology dominates the pulse of our times is an old chestnut now but remains true. In the last decade, the majority of our lives have shifted online, more so in the last few years since the pandemic. The recruitment industry is no exception. Technology is giving the industry a huge makeover by automating almost all menial jobs allowing humans the mindspace and time for creativity and discernment in approaching hiring.

A few trends that have risen in this area are as follows: 

1. The increasing use of AI in hiring: 

Through the constant evolution of AI, we might have stumbled upon one of the easiest and most efficient methods of hiring through automated systems. These systems can sort through thousands of applications to find a single-digit number of the most relevant ones making the jobs more convenient and liberating for hiring managers. 

Not only that, they can also write comprehensive job descriptions and post them on the most relevant sources to further accelerate the hiring process.

Besides the above, these automation systems which are also popularly known as applicant tracking systems (ATS) can conduct video interviews on their own without managers having to be present thus facilitating a free schedule for both the parties involved in the hiring process. The managers then can study the summary of these interviews at their convenient time to make a more informed decision. 

In a way, we can say that computers are hiring people now though it only means that managers can be more involved at a humane level instead of getting caught up in the more repetitive jobs of hiring. 

2. Data-driven hiring:

The increased number of sources available now to post and apply for jobs like social media, job boards, and other recruiting tools have increased the possibility of relevant jobs but at the same time have also increased the number of hours and work that needs to be done to sort out these applications and job postings. 

Data-driven hiring is another trend in the realm of tech that is soon taking over the recruitment processes because of its ease and higher accuracy rates. Data-driven hiring ensures that companies and individuals alike get the real worth of their money and efforts by customizing results in ways that are most relevant to them. Data-driven hiring helps in screening candidates, identifying the best of them, and managing the whole recruitment process by analyzing articles and data related to candidates and companies.

3. Role of social media in hiring:

What started out as a way of enhanced connection has also pervaded the work industry. Social media is not just a segregated persona for loved ones anymore, it’s also businesses’ way of ensuring that the candidates they are choosing have a rounded personality. About 90% of recruiters use social media today for hiring.  And the same goes for individuals as well. A strong employer brand on LinkedIn today is another reason to join an organization while about 60% of job seekers switch to social media to look for jobs. 

Trend Direction 2: Changing Work Culture

With the passing of time, we learn and create new knowledge as humans and that leads to changing culture. The recruitment industry is also witnessing a big change, more so in recent times. This is also due to the pandemic, as we were railroaded into innovating big within a short time. But the innovations that have emerged have one thing certain in the last 2 years: that they are here to stick around. 

A few trends that have emerged as a result of changing work culture are as follows: 

1. Remote work: 

Remote work used to be a special case resort a few years ago but within the past 4 years, it’s becoming a mainstream way of working. Employees and employers alike have seen its merits and have decided on its usefulness. To make this transition easier, trends of hybrid work have also evolved. Several studies and reports like this have stated that hybrid work structure is becoming an important aspect employees tend to consider when offered a job. At the same time, it has also given companies larger access to global resources at tenable costs. 

2. Diversity and inclusion: 

As we come to understand our single human heritage better, the conversations on equality and inclusion have been on the rise. And why shouldn’t they be? We have already squandered so much time and talent focusing on differences that we lost sight of making these differences work for us. However, as awareness increases, so does compassion. The new work setting encourages this compassion and the general feeling of inclusion. Albeit there are some impediments in our journey, the full realization of unbiased inclusion, the good news is that the journey has begun. This is already reflected in government policies as well and organizations that follow these policies have a better chance of profits and increased turnover according to recent reports. 

3. Training and development of employees: 

Another sign that work today is becoming more holistic is their interest and efforts in continuous training and development of their employees. This trend has not only boosted the morale of employees in general but also increased productivity and overall efficiency at organizations while also guaranteeing a heightened sense of loyalty towards organizations. Organizations today recognize that this regular training is not an expense, but rather a long-term investment.

To sum up, the direction organizations are heading towards is a long-term view over short-term bandaids that are bound to backfire sooner or later. From a colossal perspective, the recruitment industry is moving towards zero-sum solutions where employees are a part of the organization’s growth rather than disassembled parts that are kept at a distance. This spirit of collaboration is enriching work life as a whole and only those who are able to co-operate and work together are going to benefit in the long run. 

Overcoming the Fear of Change: Adaptive Strategies

As we stated earlier, the most important step to cope with change is to explore all avenues, good and bad, of the subject. Similarly, in this case, arriving at your adaptive strategy will require you to understand the benefits and the gridlocks these trends pose to your business or career.

By recognizing these aspects you can maneuver the changes to your advantage and fill in the gaps that need to and can be filled by you. 

The next step is using your growth mindset to navigate the challenges. You might be able to learn a skill that is pivotal in the coming times or you could seek help from your network of learned individuals and mentors to guide you through the process. Recognize these challenges as opportunities for growth.  You can transmute the bottlenecks you face into lasting solutions that help you grow and perhaps, others in the process. 

It is also paramount that you stay aware of your own wins in the past while you approach the difficulties of the future. It is very normal to feel crowded by new challenges and lose the memory of achievements. So it becomes all the more important to remind yourself of your strength and resilience through your early wins. Also, remember to celebrate every victory on the way, big or small, to keep your spirits high. 

Job seeker? Here are ways you can use recruitment trends 2023 to your advantage

You are at a crossroads here. Either you can embrace the changing trends and even better, use them to your advantage or worry about the quick pace of the industry and throw in the towel too early. 

Right, we knew you’d choose the first option. So here are strategies that will work for you: 

Since you are already updated with the industry trends, you can tick that box. Moving ahead, understand that the present times are times of marketing. Now if you feel like tooting your own horn is a little away from the pale for you, you will have to change that. You need to enhance your digital presence on all platforms. Bonus point if you can get people you’ve worked with in the past to say something nice about you on these platforms. It adds to your credibility. This also means that you will have to work on your networking skills and strengthen your existing network of talented people. The next order of business is to familiarize yourself with the new technology that’s shaping recruitment trends in 2023. Learn how to get the most out of AI and automation. Also, understand data-driven algorithms and ways of circumventing. Another trend that’s emerging in recruitment, especially for tech talent is increasing focus on soft skills. As teams collaborate more often for better outcomes, the ability to communicate and collaborate has become an industry favorite. Take your time to master these skills even if you possess strong technical skills already as soft skills are now recognized as foundations of a successful career. 

Hiring managers at an organization? We have you covered.

The need for embracing technology for organizations is writ large in 2023. The times demand it, your employees need it and you as a leader will benefit enormously from integrating technology in most, if not all, of your operations. Explore ATS (Application tracking system), AI-powered tools for screening resumes and sourcing candidates, video interviewing platforms, and other scheduling and communication tools. But remember the goal of technological change has to be enhancing human roles instead of replacing them. Also, you have a useful arm in your arsenal with data, do not refrain from it. An intelligent use of data can enhance your candidate search and filtering and can help you make more informed decisions. 

You also absolutely cannot overlook the importance of maintaining a strong employer brand and a bustling network in the industry. Use social media and all other platforms to your advantage. Increase your participation in network activities such as apparitions, seminars, and festivals. Brownie points if you can directly contribute as well. 

Conclusion

One important trend of evolving trends is to be at the forefront of change and use it to your advantage. The recruitment world is undergoing big changes now and it’s your chance to make your mark by adapting better and faster to these changes. The most successful in 2023 will be the ones who can embrace technology, adopt a growth mindset, and prioritize the human qualities of collaboration and learning.