2022 Recruitment Industry Predictions

What's going to happen in recruitment in 2022?

Well if I had a crystal ball that would be an easy question to answer, but here are my thoughts as we start the New Year.

✳ The current jobs market will stay strong, with more jobs than ever before across most sectors. Business will be trying to "think outside the box" in terms of recruitment (Amazon's £3k joining bonus is a good example - not one everyone can afford, granted)

✳ The difficulty in finding candidates to move jobs won't get any easier any time soon. I keep getting asked if I expect an influx of people now It's January - NO is my answer! I think that if people want to move, they will whatever time of the year it is. The new Covid Omicron may well knock people's confidences but only time will tell

✳ Hybrid working is here to stay - it's not going away and has become and will remain a big reason for people to move or stay where they are. Office working 9-5 doesn't cut it with a lot of people any more (although I appreciate that not everyone can offer hybrid working)

✳ Culture and Employer Branding will continue to play as an integral part of a candidate's reasoning to move jobs.

This also includes the whole recruitment process - you can't afford to not reply to people who apply or leave them hanging for ages!

You also need to be shouting about your branding and what you stand for to attract the top talent.

✳ Salaries will start to rise as we see continued staff shortages

✳ Benefits will become more important. People of my age will be looking at pension contributions, but also a lot of people will be looking at basics like holiday entitlements as they strive for a better work/life balance

✳ Those business who "partner" with a recruitment agency will have more luck finding staff than those who open their vacancies to multiple agencies.

Think about it, why would I put a lot of time, effort and money up front (with no guarantee) to do a whole load of advertising and searching when you have the job with 4/5 agencies.

Ultimately we are all "fishing from a small candidate pool" and unless we specifically have our own network that other agencies don't have then those candidates who have their CV's out on job boards will be getting multiple calls from agencies about the same job - what a complete waste of time for the agency and a nightmare for the candidate. Also, it gets you into the "which agency sent the CV first" scenario as a client.

Its also about the agency and the client investing time with each other to teach and learn about the company culture, values, visions and growth plans as well as the specifics on the role you are recruiting for. This time up front is VITAL for us to build an ongoing relationship and helps us to really sell your jobs.

So that's my take on what I think. I am sure there are many points I have missed, so please do feel free to comment below and add them or add your thoughts!
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