I just got an email from LinkedIn—turns out I’ve been a member for 17 years (how old am I by the way??). It got me thinking about how recruitment has changed from 2007 until today. Here are my thoughts;
The Rise of Digital Recruiting 📱
Back in 2007, job postings were primarily in local newspapers or on a few job boards. Fast forward to today, and recruitment is almost entirely digital. LinkedIn job slots were huge around 2010-2016, and after that, social media became a key player. While I might be too old for posting jobs on TikTok, I know companies use it to attract and engage potential candidates.
Focus on Employer Branding 🎨
When I started in recruitment, employer branding was a relatively new concept, and attracting talent was more a case of “post and pray.” Today, it’s a cornerstone of recruitment strategy. Candidates are more selective, seeking companies with strong values, culture, and social responsibility. I’ve also noticed that candidates are more drawn to real-life examples rather than staged and polished content.
The Importance of Candidate Experience ⭐
The candidate experience has become a critical focus. With the war for talent and a competitive job market, companies that ensure their recruitment process is seamless, respectful, and engaging will have the edge in attracting and retaining talent. However, I still see companies losing talent and engagement during the hiring process due to lengthy application processes and excessive interviews and tests.
Remote Work: A Game Changer 🌍
You can’t talk about change without mentioning the pandemic. It accelerated the shift toward remote work, which has since become the norm rather than the exception. Companies that can navigate a remote workforce have a significant advantage with an expanded talent pool. Remote work has also driven the need for new recruitment strategies, focusing on assessing remote readiness and digital collaboration skills.
Diversity and Inclusion 🌈
I’ve also seen a significant change in how companies value diversity and inclusion. Recruitment strategies now include initiatives to reduce bias, reach underrepresented groups, and ensure fair hiring practices.
The Evolution of Skills and Roles 🔄
With the rapid advancement of technology, the skills in demand have drastically changed. Roles that didn’t exist in 2007, like Data Scientist or Social Media Manager, are now among the most sought-after. Continuous learning and upskilling have become essential, both for candidates and employers.
Do you have any additional inputs? Was it better in the old days with CVs printed and put in binders as pipeline management, or are we better off with tags in our smart ATS systems?
