November 27th, 2021
Adapting to the New Hiring Trends With the Help of an Employment Agency
Due to the pandemic, the staffing industry has seen extreme upheavals. Organizations have had to lay off employees, send some on leave, and other personnel have been made to work from home. And while we are not out of the woods yet, businesses must adapt their staffing strategies to this “new normal.” The industry has seen new hiring trends crop up since 2020. As a small business owner, this shift may present challenges to your internal human resource department. To prepare for post-COVID staffing, we recommend working with an employment agency.
New Hiring Trends Brought On by COVID-19
According to the Society for Human Resource Management, these are the new hiring trends expected throughout 2021 – 2022.
Virtual recruitment will become a norm
Experts believe the hiring process will become hybrid, like flexible work policies. For many organizations, virtual hiring will help save expenses and time. Moreover, this recruitment process means companies can access a more extensive talent network by overcoming location barriers.
Companies will pay more attention to internal hiring
A LinkedIn survey found that internal mobility has gone up by 20%. What’s more, half of the respondents stated their company’s hiring funds would shrink this year. 66% believed their learning and development funds to either go up or remain constant.
Staffing experts predict organizations will focus on internal mobility projects, by reskilling or sourcing contingent candidates. A few benefits of this trend include faster hiring, better employee engagement, reduced costs, and improved retention. For experts, the use of contingent labor is a wise business decision as things are still uncertain. It is only sensible that you hold off on hiring a full-time employee until your business is stable.
Staffing firms will be instrumental in improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace
Findings from an HR and Advisory firm show that 70% of job seekers were keen on companies committed to DE&I. Moreover, 47% of talent experts stated that HR departments have failed to ensure diversity in hiring.
For this reason, experts believe staffing firms will play an essential role in reducing barriers and improving accountability in the recruitment process. These agencies will also push for restructuring the staffing process, resulting in more diverse interview panels and setting diversity goals.
Recruitment agencies will broaden skill sets
In a LinkedIn survey, respondents stated adaptability as the most relevant skill. Since the pandemic, staffing companies adapted by updating company branding, reshaping the virtual recruitment process, and personal development. What’s the impact of this shift today? Recruiters have to focus on improving their skill sets, with the most sought after being talent advisory, and virtual hiring plus onboarding.
How a Staffing Company Can Help Your Business Adapt to the New Hiring Trends
Here are the key reasons why you should hire a staffing firm for post-COVID recovery.
Flexibility
As mentioned earlier, the country is still reeling from the pandemic effects. Hiring a staffing company could help you get a clear idea of your staffing needs while providing solutions. An employment agency could ease you into flexible staffing. Whether you need temporary staff or contact-to-hire, a staffing agency will help fill these roles fast.
Productivity
If the holidays are peak season for your business, chances are your existing staff is already overstretched. If this is the case, the last thing you should do is make them work overtime. A staffing firm will bring in temporary employees to meet this demand.
It’s Cost-effective
With every new hiring trend comes new difficulties. For instance, the cost of a poor hire—which the U.S. Department of Labor puts at about 30% of a worker’s first year expected income. Some experts believe the expenses to be much higher due to the ensuing ripple effects.
- Productivity loss
- Increased turnover
- Damaged reputation
- Diminished teamwork and morale
- Time and effort spent hiring, onboarding, and training the employee
Hiring a staffing agency can help reduce these costs by selecting candidates to mitigate poor hires.
Improved retention
Another reason you should seek a recruitment agency’s help to find employees is to improve staff retention. We’ve established the hiring process is costly. Applying solid employee retention strategies can make all the difference.
These include:
- Mentorship programs
- Employee benefits and bonuses
- Unique perks
- Recognition programs
- Training
- Wellness programs
- Flexible work policies
With the help of a staffing agency, your company can adopt the applicable policies based on financial and human resources.
Quality
Your company’s success hinges on the talent you attract. Getting high-quality candidates is not straightforward. Employment agencies know which hiring techniques to use to attract even passive candidates. Moreover, staffing firms have extensive professional networks.
Legal counsel
There are legal requirements associated with staffing. For instance, letting employees go comes with a potential legal risk of unemployment claims. A staffing agency will take such responsibilities off your plate. Additionally, the firm will ensure you fulfill Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.
Prepare for the New Norm With the Help of PrideStaff Fort Lauderdale
The pandemic has resulted in new hiring trends. While they present opportunities, these staffing changes come with unique challenges. A staffing agency can help you navigate these unfamiliar shifts saving you money and time in the long run.
PrideStaff provides different staffing solutions, including call center and administrative staffing. Our hiring process is thorough, and entails screening and background checks. Contact us to learn how we can help manage your new norm staffing needs today.