What a long, strange trip it’s been. Amid a global pandemic, the job market is the most unusual it’s been in modern American history.
According to a report from MissionSquare Research Institute, “We’re teetering on the brink of a public sector workforce crisis” as the Great Resignation continues to ripple throughout the U.S. economy.
Hiring has changed. Attracting and retaining talent has never been more challenging. With the Great Resignation in full swing, workers are leaving their jobs for a variety of reasons from inadequate compensation to pandemic burnout.
“As a result, across all industries, what we’re seeing is that it’s very much a candidate-driven market,” says ForceBrands‘ Director of Client Strategy and Operations Jessica Tully. “Candidates are more selective now about the roles they’re taking. They’re leaving work for personal reasons as it relates to work-life balance and flexibility. They’re seeking out mission-driven companies that align with their core values.”
In turn, it’s causing employers to take a closer look at how they’re building culture and retaining talent.
What is the future of recruitment?
“The future of recruiting will be more thoughtful and nuanced,” Tully explains. “The pandemic will have lasting effects on the workplace that we’ll continue to see for years to come.”
The permanence of remote work environments for many organizations, coupled with the desire among workers — particularly millennials and Gen Zers — to seek purpose and meaning in their work, will mean that recruiting from the top-down will be more important than ever. How we hire strategic leadership has fundamentally changed. Leaders must learn how to build and foster a work culture remotely.
How will it be different than today?
Already two years into the pandemic, employers and employees are still adjusting to working outside the office.
“It’s going to take some time for companies to adapt to this new hybrid, increasingly flexible work environment, thus impacting how we think about recruiting talent,” Tully says.
But while building remote cultures is challenging, it’s not without its perks. “As more companies go remote, they’ll have access to a broader talent pool, one that’s no longer confined to a specific geographical area. Culture ‘add’ will continue to be an important aspect of hiring as organizations look to identify individuals who can bring their unique talents to work and add value.”
All this to say that the pandemic’s silver lining may just be a more thoughtful approach to work — and that starts with hiring.
