How Can Recruiting Teams Adapt to Volatility and New Priorities in 2022?

In today's volatile economy, recruiting teams must prioritize diversity hiring, invest in automation to manage high volumes, and maintain a human-centric approach to succeed. According to ok.com’s Annual Recruiting Trends Report, which surveyed 100 talent leaders, these three strategies are no longer optional but essential for building resilient organizations.

Why is Diversity Recruiting a Top Priority in 2022?

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) has shifted from a secondary initiative to a core business strategy. The report indicates that a majority of talent teams now prioritize diversity in recruiting ahead of simply filling open roles. This is because diverse teams are empirically linked to better problem-solving, innovation, and financial performance. Companies are moving beyond traditional hiring filters, like educational background or past job titles, to build teams for the future. A significant manifestation of this trend is that the top hiring priority for many organizations in 2022 is to bring in more diverse leadership, as leadership sets the cultural tone for the entire company.

How Can Automation Solve Key Recruiting Challenges?

With recruiters juggling a higher volume of roles amidst intense competition for talent, efficiency is paramount. The report found that 58% of recruiting budgets are now allocated for new technology and tools. The goal is to automate repetitive tasks within the recruiting tech stack—the suite of software tools used to manage the hiring process. Based on our assessment experience, companies should conduct a complete audit of their current tech stack to identify gaps. Automating areas like candidate screening and scheduling frees up recruiters to focus on higher-value human interactions, which is key to competing effectively in the current market.

What is the Role of the Human Element in Modern Recruiting?

Despite the push for automation, recruiting remains fundamentally a human endeavor. The objective of technology should be to empower recruiters, not replace them. When repetitive tasks are automated, recruiters gain more time to engage in meaningful conversations with candidates and collaborate effectively with hiring managers. This leads to a more satisfied recruiting team, which directly translates to an exceptional candidate experience. A positive candidate journey is crucial for talent retention and strengthening employer branding, especially during economic uncertainty.

Navigating the ongoing volatility requires a balanced strategy. By integrating DE&I into your hiring DNA, strategically automating your recruiting tech stack, and empowering your recruiters to build genuine human connections, your team can not only survive but thrive. This approach ensures you build a great team that will drive your company forward for years to come.