As new generations and technological innovations disrupt the workforce, the recruiting and hiring processes are subject to change right along with it. This directly affects HR departments, who are responsible for handling these crucial tasks.
Keeping up can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. We asked a panel of Forbes Human Resources Council about the latest industry trends and how they've adapted to those changes. Here's what they had to say.
Candidates are more like consumers than ever. The focus on delivering a great consumer-like candidate experience is now a must. From an easy job application process to timely and personalized communications, every moment of the recruiting process matters. Audit your candidate experience from the candidate's point of view to ensure your approach is people-focused, relevant and memorable. - Alina Shaffer, LivingHR, Inc.
Create a relationship with them right from the beginning. Similar to how inside sales reps reach out to prospects, recruiting requires a steady stream of drip campaigning and constant contact. Today one of the most successful ways we are finding talent is through the use of relationship management software. In the Bay Area, top talent are often passive, so we have to go find them and connect. - Bianca McCann, Trifacta Inc.
3. Mutual Evaluation
We’re moving away from a mindset of “the candidate is lucky if we hire him/her” to there being a mutual evaluation. The company has to impress the candidate too. To address this, we’ve put more emphasis on the candidate experience, from the very first interaction onward. - Laura Hamill, Limeade
4. The Need For Speed
My top three answers: speed, speed and speed. The recruiting process has dramatically accelerated through the use of online platforms, chatbots, AI, mobile technology, etc. With it, candidates expect a quick response and hiring process in days, not weeks. The best strategy for hiring managers: understand the need for speed during the interview and job-offer stages, and act accordingly. - Genine Wilson, Kelly Services
5. Clear, Established Hiring Processes
Hiring used to be as easy as the "good ol' boy" system. However, in this day and age, it is important to have a process in place and follow it through. From competency interviews to automated screening options, there is a plethora of tools for the modern recruiter to use in their hiring process to identify top candidates. The best innovation in this industry is your brain, though — use it wisely! - Adam Mellor, ONE Gas, Inc.
6. Technology Awareness
From newspaper and paper job boards to directory search-based recruiting, or from a resume database to today's AI-driven hiring, recruiting/HR has seen significant innovation over the past 40 years. Reading the news and integrating technology awareness into your daily routine is one way to keep pace with innovation. - Steven Jiang, Hiretual
7. Prioritization Of The Candidate Experience
One of the biggest changes in recent years has been the importance placed on providing a great candidate experience. Technology has made it much easier to connect job seekers with open positions. This, combined with the current strength of the job market, makes it important to treat every candidate well, especially because those who aren’t ideal for one position may be perfect for the next. - John Feldmann, Insperity
8. Planning The Process Around The Candidate's Point Of View
Throughout the last 10 years, recruiting has become more automated and with hundreds of tools to select from, I have kept my strategy simple. What is the experience I would want if I were seeking a position? When I approach my program and processes in this way, thinking like a candidate and understanding how to get out of my own way has been the key to building and selecting the right tools. - Maximo Rocha, CSG Systems Inc
9. Greater Efficiency, But Decreased Humanization
When I started, it was all faxing resumes and cover letters, with special emphasis on education (sometimes the only requirement). Now cover letters are mostly outdated, resumes are often computer-read by keyword density and placement and it’s all become very technology-driven. It’s more efficient, but less humanized. I keep up with these changes by reading and attending conferences. - Nicole Smartt Serres, Star Staffing