The unemployment rate in the US dropped to 3.5 percent in December 2022, falling below market expectations of 3.7 percent and matching the rates seen in September and July, which were the lowest since February 2020. With plenty of roles to be filled, what trends can recruiters use in the new year to attract qualified potential employees? Here are the top staffing trends for 2023!

1. Virtual Hiring and Recruitment continue to be an effective tool

Social distancing requirements set in response to COVID-19 forced companies to adopt virtual recruitment strategies. Platforms such as Zoom, Teams, and WebEx are still being used by recruiters worldwide to conduct interviews, especially for the first round. Online recruitment has offered companies an easier way to conduct the recruitment process, benefiting from its speed and efficiency. We continue to see companies investing in the technology and equipment necessary for a virtual process. Talent managers are finding a balance between online and in-person hiring. We expect to see many initial and entry-level interviews done via internet platforms and final and executive evaluations done face-to-face. That said, it is unlikely we will see the end of virtual recruitment anytime soon.

2. Candidates Will Seek More Flexibility 

Coming out of 2022, we are seeing a steady transition back to “normal.” Companies will need to establish a work from home policy, if they have not already, to help guide and monitor employee performance outside of the office.

We have seen many companies return to 100% in-office capacity with an emphasis on work/life balance. Candidates are still very much interested in flexible hours and work from home capabilities. Many companies have adopted a hybrid schedule with in-office and work from home capabilities.

Recruiters must understand their customer base, the changes to their schedules and needs over the last few years, and how these deviations will affect their work life. This will help create a flexible system to ensure employee satisfaction and business success.

3. The popularity of Contract and Temporary Positions 

The job market remains hot, and companies are being forced to allocate additional resources to staffing projects and employee wages. Businesses will continue to try and minimize expenses where they can while still maintaining optimum production levels. A good way to do this is the use of temporary and contract staff.

Temporary and Temp-to-Hire opportunities can help companies and candidates determine if one another is a good fit. They also allow candidates to see new industries, company sizes, and job duties before deciding what might be the best fit for them.

4. Relationships are Key! 

Connections have always been the cornerstone of every recruitment strategy. Over the past few years, recruiters have emphasized recruiting the best talent, with candidate acquisition being a top priority. However, the focus on developing strong working relationships with clients has become a priority. Clients have realized with the tight candidate market that there is value in utilizing search firms to assist with their hiring needs. We believe client relationship management will continue to be the first consideration for organizations in 2023.

Stay on Top of These Recruitment Trends in 2023 

As part of the recovery process from the pandemic, recruiters must look back at the challenges affecting potential candidates and predict how they can transform the future of the industry. This will aid in effectively hiring competent and qualified personnel, even with increased competition from other organizations. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! If you have any questions, please contact us. You can also view our current openings by visiting our website.