Recruitment Trends: Fantasy or Reality?

How has the recruitment world changed in recent years? The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing crisis have reshaped not just our personal lives but also the job market. Post-2020, recruitment has been redefined by new norms and challenges.

2024. 02. 02.
"Yellow Fellows" comic book caption in the upper left corner. In the bottom right corner, a drawn dinosaur figure is looking at a job advertisement on a citylight.

Labor shortages, escalating wages, and technological advancements are among the hurdles companies face today, rendering traditional recruitment methods ineffective.”

And this is where various recruitment trends come into play.

Diversity, flexibility, inclusivity, remote work, and competitive pay are qualities sought by today’s workforce. As the next generation enters the job market, they bring distinct values and expectations. Stability and benefits, once favored, are now overshadowed by mobility, corporate culture, learning opportunities, and flexible schedules.

Comic strip: as job seekers beautify their CVs, companies do the same with their job ads. Sometimes, they do not take ownership of their own capabilities, values, and identity, but instead falsely present themselves to prospective employees in line with an imagined image or current trend. But when presenting themselves inaccurately, they attract candidates who may not align with the company's actual work environment. By conversing with Chill, Max realizes that being honest and transparent in the hiring process helps him build stronger, more cohesive teams and establishes trust with potential employees.
As job seekers beautify their CVs, companies do the same with their job ads. Sometimes, they do not take ownership of their own capabilities, values, and identity, but instead falsely present themselves to prospective employees in line with an imagined image or current trend. But when presenting themselves inaccurately, they attract candidates who may not align with the company’s actual work environment. By conversing with Chill, Max realizes that being honest and transparent in the hiring process helps him build stronger, more cohesive teams and establishes trust with potential employees.

Why is it important for an employer to adapt to trends?

As millennials dominate future workplaces, their values and aspirations must align with employers’. According to the Deloitte Millennial Survey, “young workers want their employers’ values to align with their own and to engage in purposeful, meaningful work that promotes social change.” Therefore, companies need to transition urgently because the conscious generation no longer accepts a company that merely showcases important issues. Companies that fail to resonate risk losing talent, exacerbating labor shortages, and incurring financial setbacks.

How can we help?

Based on our experience, a large percentage of companies use buzzwords found in trend forecasts in their advertisements. Firstly, because they see it with their competitors, and secondly, because they feel the changes in the recruitment field themselves. The problem arises when these remain empty words without real content or substance – in such cases, the hired employee is disappointed when the job advertised with flexible hours still has them sitting at the office desk at 8 p.m., with their arrivals and departures timed to the minute, and their remote work restricted. Therefore, it is important to honestly embrace our real values instead of painting a trendy but false picture of ourselves, as this attracts employees who fit into the company culture rather than increasing turnover. An employer branding agency can help with this, as external experts assess a company’s values and distinguishing features compared to competitors, and assist in transparently communicating these.