December 23, 2021

By Celeste Gable, Marketing Coordinator

2021 is wrapping up quickly and what a whirlwind it has been! As we reflect on all the hiring challenges we have faced, we look towards the future and predict what trends will be happening in 2022. While each trend is uniquely adopted by any organization, below are 5 trends that Direct Recruiters is predicting will affect your hiring procedures in 2022.

It’s Still a Candidate Driven Market

As 2021 comes to an end, the lack of available candidates and the surplus of jobs will carry into the new year. Many employers need the same skillset and talents, so candidates have multiple options from many different places. This has created an opportunity for candidates to leverage better salary and benefits and employers have no choice but to comply. Recruiters and talent acquisition specialists must work harder to standout against the influx of calls, messages, and emails. In 2022, expect to see more creative recruiting tactics. This could include better sourcing tactics, more data driven marketing, or stronger brand communication. In the end, those who move quickly to secure qualified candidates will win the war on talent.

 Focus on Retention

In the last few months, we have seen an increase in The Great Resignation as many employees leave their jobs to pursue other opportunities. In an already strained labor shortage, losing these valuable employees creates an even greater issue. 2022 will ensure a renewed focus on employee engagement to increase retention and loyalty. A testament to strong company culture will be less about making the office a fun place and more about ensuring all employees feel seen and heard by their colleagues and managers. The organizations with strong values and a plan to invest in employees will succeed in the competitive market.

The Future of Ai and Automation

Even with new stresses and challenges, resilient recruiters are adapting to the ever-changing market. With the help of AI and Automation, recruiters can use more tools to access more of the available market. Using Ai tools to source, screen, schedule, and chat with candidates during the hiring process allows recruiters to draw in a larger candidate pool for the hiring managers to choose from.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are Must Haves

Employees continue to align themselves with organizations who reflect their own morals. In 2022, companies will realize that diversity and inclusion isn’t just a feel-good initiative but is central to a company’s success. According to McKinsey’s Diversity Wins report, companies in the upper quartile for ethnic and cultural diversity on executive teams were 33% more likely to have industry-leading profitability. And companies in the upper quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 21% more likely to outperform on profitability and 27% more likely to have superior value creation. DE&I is becoming increasingly prioritized within organizations who are in search of people to fill roles like “Chief Diversity Officer”, and “Head of Diversity & Inclusion”. Hiring diverse candidates and being transparent in your DE&I efforts will help your company succeed in 2022 and beyond.

Remote is Here to Stay

Many companies postponed their returns to the office this past year and they’re in no hurry to return in 2022 either. Remote hiring, onboarding, and working is here to stay. By hiring remotely, you have access to a larger and more diversified talent pool by not limiting to location. You are also able to recruit, hire, and onboard candidates faster using digital supplemental materials like training videos and virtual meetings.

No matter the industry you are in, change is unavoidable. By understanding the trends that will shape the workforce in 2022, hiring managers and organizations will be in a better position to face the challenges head on.