The landscape of Human Resources (HR) is rapidly changing. From the personnel employed to the outreach and recruiting methods, the HR industry will undoubtedly look far different in the next five years than it looks currently. Whether it be the diversified skill sets or the technology that will reshape the industry, there are three major trends emerging that are set to shake up the future of HR.
Hiring for Diversified Skill Sets
The skills sets in high demand are going to significantly change in the coming years, and these changes will not be felt by any industry more than HR. One of the main skills that will be highly sought after going forward is the ability to think and execute creatively. In fact, the demand for creative professionals is expected to grow by 23% by summer of 2019. HR managers will be tasked with identifying creative candidates, as well as developing methods by which to measure a candidate’s ability to think creatively. In addition to creativity, HR teams will also look to bring in candidates with diversified skills like empathy, ingenuity, and positivity. No more are the days when basic skills will earn candidates roles.
Collaborative skills will also be in high demand moving forward, as 41% of employees maintain they will only accept jobs offering flexible work schedules. The remote workplace is no longer a luxury, but the standard for a growing number of employees. As such, recruiters will be tasked to find employees who can adjust and thrive under remote conditions. Working partly or fully remote requires team members to wear many hats and adapt quickly, as they may not be able to immediately seek out team members for help, and will be forced to troubleshoot issues on their own. HR professionals will need to train individuals for virtual work, and implement a more tech-forward approach to ensure team members are confident connecting and collaborating remotely.
One hiring manager asserted, “My motto is: Hire for attitude, train for skill. There’s no attribute more important. A positive attitude is a great predictor for willingness to take on new tasks and do whatever it takes for the betterment of the team.”
Although skills like attitude and positivity may not have factored into the hiring process as much in the past, these types of skills are going to significantly influence the personnel hired by HR in the future.
Social Media for Recruitment
Social media has emerged as an effective recruitment tool. Studies show that 84% of organizations currently use social media for recruitment, and this is slated to increase by nine percent in the coming year. HR managers accustomed to posting job listings and awaiting inbound resumes must be aware of this shift in recruiting, as social media is going to continue to become the most effective way to connect with candidates.
Social media provides recruiters an opportunity to engage with prospects on a more personal level. Candidates appreciate recruiters reaching out via social media, as they feel more valued and sought after. Additionally, companies are able to convey their corporate culture and values through posts on social media platforms. All indications point to social media becoming even more of a mainstay in future recruiting strategies, as 71% of HR managers say social media significantly reduced time-to-hire.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) + Advanced Technology
AI is currently reshaping the HR industry, and this trend is set to continue in the coming years. Fifty-five percent of hiring managers say they already see AI playing a role in HR, and are saving up to 14 hours weekly since incorporating AI into their recruitment strategies. AI is streamlining HR processes, with capabilities to completely automate 100% of candidate sourcing. This newfound efficiency in the sourcing and vetting processes allows recruiters to fill open positions with more qualified candidates.
Additionally, AI will help recruiters diversify workplaces in the future. Equipped with machine learning, AI software will all but eliminate inherent human hiring biases, and will ensure that qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are being hired. By removing biased language from job postings and vetting candidates based on qualities outside of appearance, AI will undoubtedly bring major changes to how candidates are sourced and which candidates are hired.
In order to keep pace with the rapidly-changing workforce, the HR industry has been forced to adapt. As such, recruiters have relied on newer strategies like using social media and AI to engage with qualified candidates, while also putting unique skill sets at a premium. Although there are a number of trends that will continue to shape the HR industry, these three are sure to make a significant impact in the future of HR.
