The Future Of Hiring: What To Expect In The Next 5 Years

The hiring market has seen a huge shift in the past five years. The pandemic and remote work introduced a whole new dimension, as many industries went online and never quite fully returned to the office. Hybrid work is the new big thing, with meetings happening in person and individual work happening at home. AI has also exploded onto the scene, becoming a mainstay of most hiring processes in just a few years. With all the change that we’ve seen recently, how will the next five years shape up?

AI & Automation Will Reshape Talent Acquisition

The current use of resume screening has only been around for a short period of time. With an additional five years, ATS tools will become much more advanced and sophisticated. This means increased speed and accuracy. Beyond the increased abilities, AI will begin to recognize which areas it is useful for reviewing and which areas people prefer to review. This means that hiring teams will begin to get feedback from the AI on candidates it had a hard time with and areas on each resume that could use the human touch.

An increase in data usage will come along with the increase in AI ability. Companies will have access to more information, and they’ll become much better at using it to predict intangibles about characters. It might point out that certain characteristics or skills are crucial to finding candidates who have a long and successful employment period with the company. Either way, the data analytics field is set to change the way hiring teams approach the way they assess candidates for the long term.

Chatbots & Virtual Assistants: Engage Candidates 24/7

One of the most common complaints that companies hear from candidates is how often they don’t hear back from jobs they apply for. The number of responses that candidates get back from jobs is startlingly low. These days, candidates receive no response in place of a rejection. This will change in the next five years, as the employment of chatbots and virtual assistants will allow for the automation of applicant interaction. Companies won’t need teams of people to monitor each job posting. Instead, once the communication becomes automated, companies can focus on reviewing applicant materials and interviewing candidates.

The Rise Of Skills-Based Hiring

A big trend that has emerged for hiring in recent times is the introduction of skills-based hiring. Companies have started to recognize that a person’s abilities matter more than their educational background. This has led to a major shift in the hiring market for certain companies, changing their screening process as well as the way that they conduct interviews. More assessments have been introduced, and more candidates are finding themselves showing proof of what they know.

These trends will continue throughout the next five years. Employers will prioritize those demonstrable skills, seeking candidates who have proven the ability to complete the job they’re being hired for. AI assessments and screening processes will advance to match this need for skills-based hiring processes. Certifications will blossom as a method to prove a person’s abilities in certain fields, with their quick, condensed method of teaching information, giving them a niche in the education market. Candidates will be more educated with provable skills, and companies will start to place additional emphasis on the specific skills they’re searching for.

Portfolio-Based Evaluations

One shift that is expected to occur within the next five years is the growth of portfolio-based applications. With companies looking for proof of skills in their applicants, candidates who are able to provide a collection of proven work have a large lead over candidates who can’t. Applicants in tech, design, or creative fields of work will likely be required to submit portfolios, especially for senior roles, if they expect to have a chance at getting the position. Companies will see a boost in employee productivity and retention as a result of this shift towards portfolios, as they come out of the hiring process with a much better idea of what each candidate is able to accomplish once they get into the building.

Human Touch Will Still Matter

Candidates fear that the introduction of AI into the hiring process has made it more cynical. They feel like they’re only seen for their resume, and not the person behind it. This discontent with AI in the hiring process will grow in the next few years, as people struggling to find work will blame it on the new job-hunting process. This perception may shift given time, but before then, human interaction will be a cornerstone of successful hiring processes. Applicants want to feel valued, and importantly, they want to feel like their time was worth it. Adding a human touch to that hiring process is what will give companies an edge in the next five years.

AI has altered the way we attain information, with candidates learning more about companies in seconds than they used to in days. This increase in accessible information will alter the way that companies approach their branding. In the next five years, your company brand will go beyond just gathering business to the actual recruitment of your employees. As such, companies with transparent operations, strong values, and a purpose people can stand behind will find success in the future.

Building Excellence Through Talent

Emphasis on the candidate will change as well. Companies will start to phase out employees who are just there to “do a job.” Companies will instead search for talent that can grow in the long term. Emphasizing this type of talent will fall to the recruiter, who will have to do more than fill a position. Recruiters will become the human element of the hiring process, finding candidates that will not only survive but thrive.

How Employers Can Prepare For The Future Of Hiring

Smart hiring is the future of the industry. Finding staffing solutions through AI will be the best way forward. These AI tools can streamline all steps of the hiring process, from sourcing, screening, and even some elements of candidate evaluation. Bringing AI into your process is going to be a necessity in the future; doing it now will put you ahead of the curve.

Building a skill-oriented culture at your company through your hiring process is another way to prepare for the future. Implementing skill assessments into your hiring process ensures that you’re finding people with the abilities you’re looking for. Additionally, soft skills like adaptability and problem-solving ensure that your employees are able to stay afloat if things get shaky. Building a strong foundation through your team is a must as we prepare for what the future brings.

Partner With Premier To Stay Ahead

The future is always uncertain, with record turnover rates and a population shifting towards retirement, leaving many companies unsure of what to expect. Premier is well prepared to handle any and all future possibilities. With our 26 years of experience, you can be assured that we’re ready to adjust to whatever challenges crop up in the next five years, be it AI developments or sudden shifts in employment trends.

Whether you’re looking to hire for the long term or simply need a bit of temporary help, Premier’s got you covered. Learn more today about what Premier can do for you!