The recruitment landscape is continuously evolving and UK employers are constantly having to adapt to and embrace new trends that reflect the shifting priorities of both employees and candidates. In 2024, the focus has been on creating more inclusive, efficient, and flexible hiring processes that meet the demands of a diverse and dynamic workforce. From skills-based hiring to the integration of AI, here are five key trends shaping recruitment strategies this year, according to us at Omni.
Employers are shifting from traditional degree and experience-based recruitment to skills-based hiring. This approach prioritises a candidate’s practical abilities and competencies, allowing organisations to tap into a broader and more diverse talent pool. Skills assessments and practical tasks during the interview process are becoming more common.
The preference for flexible working arrangements continues to shape recruitment strategies. Companies are increasingly offering hybrid and fully remote positions to attract top talent. This trend is also leading to a more geographically diverse workforce, as employers are no longer limited to hiring within a specific region. While there are some large employers, particularly in the banking industry pushing for full time presenteeism, the trend remains skewed towards flexibility and hybrid working models.
DEI remains a top priority for UK employers in 2024. Companies are implementing more inclusive recruitment practices, such as blind hiring processes, diverse interview panels, and targeted outreach programmes and even sharing interview questions with candidates in advance to ensure a more inclusive hiring process and represented workforce.
In order for employers to stay ahead in the race for hiring new talent, it’s important to keep an eye on the horizon and a view on current trends and challenges in the market.
In a competitive job market, organisations are refining their EVP to attract and retain talent. This includes offering not just competitive salaries but also benefits that align with employee values, such as mental health support, career development opportunities, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
The use of AI and automation is on the rise, with tools that streamline the hiring process from candidate sourcing to onboarding. AI-driven platforms help identify the best candidates, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance the candidate experience through personalised communication. However, we must remember that while AI and automation do free up tasks, it is no substitute for human interaction. For example, it can tell you what skills an applicant claims to have, but not whether they are any good at applying those skills. It can tell how far they live from the place of work, but not the ease of the route or their preferred transport.
In order for employers to stay ahead in the race for hiring new talent, it’s important to keep an eye on the horizon and a view on current trends and challenges in the market. Organisations that adopt agile strategies and roll with the proverbial punches will weather the storms (remember financial market crashes and pandemics) and come out stronger on the other side.
If you’d like to explore how Omni can support your organisation’s future growth, please do get in touch. We’d love to work with you.
