3 Hiring Trends to Watch in 2020 (Part 1)

It’s important to stay up to date on the current trends and patterns in today’s hiring market to be a competitive employer and hire the best candidates. The new year has brought several new reports and new data with insights for 2020. We have analyzed the trends most likely to affect your business and offer this 2-part blog in preparation of the coming year. Below are 3 hiring trends to watch in 2020.

Speed of Hiring Must Increase

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the unemployment rate remains at a record low of 3.5%, and hiring top candidates has become more competitive among employers. There are a record 7.8 million open jobs with only about 6 million available workers to fill them. A slow hiring process is a sure way to lose good candidates, especially if your competition is operating at a greater speed. According to data collected by Yello, 41% of recruiters say they can hire mid-level candidates within 3 weeks. However, over 55% say it takes 1-2 months to bring in a new hire at the mid-level. Almost half of the recruiters surveyed reported that the initial candidate screening process is the biggest speed bump in the hiring process, and another 33% agree that interview scheduling can be a barrier. These processes can often be streamlined through the use of Applicant Tracking Software and schedule-sharing programs. Finding ways to bypass these barriers to a fast hiring process can keep you from losing out on great candidates.

More Mobile Job Searches

The expanded availability of smartphones has increased the amount of mobile online activity. The World Advertising Research Center (WARC) estimates that within five years, 72.6 % of internet users will access the web exclusively through the use of a smartphone or other mobile device. This means that the online hiring process needs to be tailored to the needs of mobile users. A Glassdoor study found that mobile job seekers encounter several problems and barriers during the online application process. The data indicates that mobile users only complete 22% of applications they start versus desktop users who complete about 47%. The time it takes to apply on a mobile device is an average of 10.5 minutes, which is almost twice as much as desktop users who complete applications in just 5.9 minutes. Steps should be taken to modernize and update websites. We sometimes come across business websites that are over 10 years old. An updated website will not only improve your branding but it will be more accessible to mobile applicants.

ADA Compliant Websites

With the rise of online hiring, it’s important to make sure your application process and company website is compliant with guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. New amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and enforced by the Department of Justice have made website accessibility a concern for employers. Many businesses are not aware of these guidelines and remain inaccessible to a number of applicants. Websites must be designed in such a way as to ensure web content can be navigated by voice, screen readers, and other assistive technologies. Much of this can be achieved through coding and adjusting your website’s layout, as well as providing text transcripts and closed captions for video and audio content. Failure to create an ADA-compliant website could leave your business vulnerable to lawsuits, financial liabilities, and damage to your reputation and brand.

Each year comes with new changes and challenges in the realm of hiring. Staying up to date on the most current hiring trends can help you to shape the policies and processes within your business that will help you to hire the best candidates.

Bradley Staffing Group is a full-service staffing firm based in Wayne, PA. We are committed to matching A-level talent with best-in-class businesses. Our knowledgeable and well-trained staff brings a combined 70+ years of staffing experience to our clients and candidates alike. http://bradleystaffinggroup.com/contact-us/