Technologies are changing the ways businesses source and hire their talent. But the CoViD-19 pandemic brought monumental shifts to the hiring landscape. Digital skills are in demand as companies need to cater to remote work arrangements. Add to that the importance of building a solid online presence to attract top talents.
Businesses need to leave a good impression to increase qualified applicants. Thus, they have to rethink traditional recruiting and hiring practices. In this article, we’ll discuss the top hiring trends and ways small businesses can adapt.
Employer Branding
People prefer to work at companies that they can be proud of. A survey showed that 86% of employees and job seekers consider the employer’s reputation. They research a company’s reviews and ratings when applying for a job. That’s why many Toronto-based companies are prioritizing employer branding in their recruitment strategy.Â
Employer branding is the business’s reputation among the workforce. It is what makes an employer stand out to a pool of applicants. Without positive employer branding, it’ll be more challenging to hire the best talent.
Diversity and Inclusion
Inclusion and diversity were always the focus of businesses even before the pandemic. But remote work settings pushed employers to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. It makes the workforce more innovative and engaged, increasing productivity and profitability.
Through this, businesses can reach more qualified candidates from different backgrounds. But embracing diversity and inclusion is not only about equal representation. Employers need to learn how to empathize and support everyone in a personalized way.
Temporary Staffing
Temporary staffing is becoming more popular these days. One reason is that people want more flexibility. Working on a contractual basis allows them to improve their work-life balance. At the same time, it helps businesses meet seasonal demands and adapt better in the market.
Some employers use temporary staffing to trial workers before hiring them full-time. This is one of the ways they can save time and money before recruiting someone who doesn’t fit in. It also gives businesses the flexibility to scale up or scale down anytime.
Candidate Experience
Building a great candidate experience also plays a significant role in recruitment. Ninety percent of talents reported that a positive or negative experience could make them reconsider a job. That’s why companies should treat all candidates well every step of the way. Else, it can limit their future talent pool, costing them more time and money in the end.Â
Talent Analytics
Many businesses use analytics to reduce bias and make smarter hiring decisions. It enables them to identify areas of strength and weakness. For example, the gathered data showed that people take too long completing applications. It could mean that they need to re-evaluate the questions they’re asking.
The use of analytics helps companies improve their recruitment process. It only depends on what types of metrics they want to work on.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Companies leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to improve their recruiting and hiring practices. With an automated process, businesses can speed up staffing and talent acquisition. It’s a game-changer from screening to hiring and onboarding process. The use of AI provides more value to the company’s recruiting efforts. It helps create a pool of qualified talents that will succeed in vacant positions.Â
How Small Businesses Can Adapt to these Hiring Trends
Small businesses need to make significant alterations in their recruitment strategy. It is a must for their growth and efficiency. But they may not have enough resources to compete with larger enterprises.
Here are ways that small businesses can make their company desirable to a pool of best talents:
Embrace New Forms of Recruiting
New technology changed the way people look for jobs. To keep up with the trends, small businesses need to embrace new forms of recruiting. Gone are the days when job hunters had to look at newspaper ads. With the internet, they can now apply for jobs online.
To compete for qualified applicants, small business owners should use the following platforms:
- Online job boards
- Social media
- Online and offline networking
Invest In Recruitment Technology
Recruitment is time-consuming. But several technologies can help speed up the process. It can also help small businesses attract and identify suitable candidates. Below are some recruitment technologies that may help get more quality hires.
- Applicant Tracking System
- Candidate Assessment Tool
- Candidate Relationship Management Systems
- Human Resource Analytics
Work With A Recruitment Partner
Large corporations invest a lot of time and money in their recruitment process. But most small businesses don’t have the same resources. Although working with a recruitment firm based in Toronto can help them do better. Firms like these help connect companies to qualified people who add value to their business.