Trends that Will Transform IT Recruiting
Employers in the IT space have been dealing with evolving recruitment challenges for some time. In 2023, more candidates began looking for new jobs due to the rising cost of living and economic uncertainty, leading to increased turnover in established teams.
At the same time, from a Deloitte research report, employee values continue to shift, with 72% of staff members considering leaving a role to pursue a career in a more"inclusive" environment.
While the number of vacancies worldwide is falling, skill shortages are still significant. The skill set business leaders need is changing.77%
Digital transformation continues to influence the recruitment process. Even without the previous pandemic restrictions, 70% of talent professionals believe "virtual recruiting" will become the new standard.
Plus, AI influences how business leaders source, validate and examine candidates. To thrive in this new world, business leaders must update their recruitment strategy, enhance their employer value proposition, and take further measures to attract and retain talent.
That's why at Constant Recruitment, we have created this guide to list some of the most important recruiting trends you'll need to be aware of in 2024.
Trends that Will Transform IT Recruiting
The Flexible Working Landscape Continues to Evolve
In the last few years, flexible working arrangements, from hybrid and remote work opportunities to "flexi-time" schedules, have grown in popularity. However, many IT companies are beginning to fight back against new flexible models, keen to return to a more traditional in-office experience.
According to a report from Resume Builder, 90% of business leaders said their companies plan to implement a return-to-office policy by the end of 2024. Another 30% said they would "threaten to fire employees"who don't comply.
Polls suggest that many business leaders believe the return to the office will improve communication, collaboration, and company culture.
However, a growing desire for in-office employees won't necessarily change employee preferences. Today's IT employees still value flexibility and autonomy and are willing to leave their roles if it means preserving a flexible schedule.
Additionally, new mandates are emerging worldwide to help support the drive for flexible work. In the UK, the "Flexible Working Bill" will come into force in 2024, allowing employees to make at least two flexible work requests in 12 months.
IT companies prioritising in-office work in 2024 will need other creative ways to give staff the flexibility they crave, including embracing a four-day workweek or allowing for more unique scheduling.
Increased Focus on Employee Wellbeing and Empathy
Demand for empathy and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing is growing in the IT sector. In 2023, the US Empathy in Business Survey found that 86% of employees believe empathetic leadership boosts morale, and 87% feel it improves company culture.
Empathetic leadership requires companies to invest in strategies that protect their team members from unnecessary stress, discomfort, and burnout.
Companies must experiment with everything from policies that support better work-life balance to campaigns that increase feelings of inclusion and wellness among team members.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Remain Essential
Workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion were major recruiting trends throughout 2023, and they will continue to play a role in future hiring strategies. Today's IT employees want to work for companies that embrace talent from all walks of life.
Additionally, up to 20% of the population identifies as "neurodiverse", meaning businesses need to know how to accommodate these candidates to access a broad talent pool.
Fortunately, investing in "DEI" initiatives positively benefits business leaders. Studies show that gender and ethnically diverse teams can increase profitability by 33%.
Alternatively, companies without the right DEI strategy often struggle with a lack of innovation and fresh perspectives. Business leaders must take a comprehensive approach to inclusion.
This could mean using innovative tools that assess unconscious bias in job postings and descriptions in over 40 languages.
DEI strategies will continue to be crucial in 2024 to widen your talent pool, improve company culture, and reduce turnover. However, you'll need to ensure you embed DEI initiatives into every aspect of your employee experience and recruitment process.
Evolving Demands for Hard and Soft Skills
Companies must invest in professional development opportunities to minimise skill gaps and increase employee engagement.
Good training strategies will help companies reduce skill gaps, even in a talent-short market, while strengthening their employee value proposition.
Around 97% of employers say that soft skills are just as important or more important than technical skills today.
AI Continues to Influence The Recruitment Process
Artificial intelligence has soared into the spotlight throughout 2023, thanks to the rise of large new language models and generative AI. Although many IT companies have already used AI in recruitment, the presence of this technology will continue to grow.
Increasingly, business leaders will use AI to help automate the screening process, shortlisting candidates based on crucial skills and experience. Generative AI tools will also allow companies to create more appealing, personalised job descriptions and career pages.
Plus, chatbots and virtual assistants can assist in improving the candidate experience, automatically sharing updates with applicants consistently.
Effective Branding Will Remain Crucial to Success
In recent years, excellent"branding" strategies have become more crucial for IT employers and candidates. Companies are investing in developing the brands of their team members through social media and other channels to unlock the benefits of employee advocacy and enhance their reputation.
IT business leaders recognise a clear need to"market" their company to employees with the right employer value propositions. 83%of employers believe a strong brand helps them to access and retain more talent. To create an effective brand, companies need to reconsider the values and priorities of their employees.
Core areas to focus on include:
- Company culture:
- Growth and career progression:
- Ethical values:
Specialist Recruitment Teams will be Crucial.
Even with AI tools and automation changing the recruitment process, the value of a specialist recruitment team will remain essential in 2024. Recruitment companies with a deep understanding of the IT landscape will help attract a wider range of candidates.
These teams will help businesses find active candidates in their field and ensure they can connect with "passive candidates, " accounting for around 73% of job seekers.
Recruitment professionals will leverage their existing networks and expertise to develop a consistent talent pipeline for your organisation, reducing the risk of talent gaps.
Plus, the right recruitment partner will boost your chances of hiring the right team members by getting to know your goals and needs better.
Thanks to Rachel Constant-Taylor of Constant Recruitment (Specialist IT Recruitment Consultants) for this article.
