Recruiting has never been simple, and the COVID-19 pandemic is complicating matters even more. In this rapidly changing landscape, employers need to adapt if they want to attract and retain quality talent.

To better prepare for this task, here are some recruiting practice trends employers should monitor in 2021.

1. Looking Inward for Talent

Recruiting is a challenge at any time, but especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, recruiters are suffering from many constraints, chief among them being slim budgets. In fact, 50% of talent professionals expect a smaller budget this year compared to last, according to a LinkedIn survey.

This reality is spurring recruiters to look internally for talent. Year over year, internal mobility has increased 20%, according to LinkedIn. And that’s not a huge surprise, given that upskilling and retraining workers can be more cost efficient than hiring from outside an organization. Employers can expect more recruiters to focus on transferrable skills over task-specific abilities in 2021.

2. Leveraging Technology

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many businesses to work remotely or shut down completely. Even as workplaces reopen, a significant portion will retain remote employees. And recruiters will likely be among them.

In fact, 81% of talent professionals say virtual recruiting will continue even after the pandemic, according to LinkedIn. Notably, 70% of those professionals say virtual recruiting will become the new standard. That’s not entirely shocking, since virtual communication is so commonplace and easily accessible. Employers should expect virtual recruiting to continue in some form and should consider adopting technology that can help expand their efforts. 

3. Embracing Diversity

More diverse representation and greater equity were huge issues in 2020, sparking debates across the country. Employers have taken note and many large companies have pledged to do better. Among talent professionals, 77% say diversity will be “very important” to the future of recruiting, according to LinkedIn. That means employers can expect a more concerted effort to diversify workplaces. This may include reducing implicit bias among recruiters and managers and diversifying C-suite positions.

4. Leading by Example

In the same vein as diversification efforts, employers are expected to be more vocal on social issues. Instead of promoting their products on social media, many businesses are discussing how they support their workers and communities, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This helps organizations control how candidates view them, which can affect recruiting efforts. The trend ramped up last year and will likely continue in 2021.

Employers can expect more candidates to look for empathy and clearly defined virtues from their potential workplaces. Promoting these qualities could mean the difference between someone accepting an interview or not. And that fact isn’t lost on employers. Over half of talent professionals (63%) expect employer branding budgets to increase or stay the same, according to LinkedIn. Employers should anticipate more organizations to increase efforts to show—rather than tell—what their companies represent, especially in relation to employee well-being and social issues.

Summary

Recruiting likely won’t get easier in 2021 despite a dramatic increase in unemployment compared to last year. This is due to slim budgets, pandemic constraints and many other reasons. In light of these challenges, employers will need to get creative with their recruiting efforts. Luckily, there are some proven methods for doing just that.

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This HR Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. © 2021 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.