2023 Recruitment trends

Recruitment is an ever-changing field – here’s some of the trends our Head of Smart Industry, Will, thinks will shape the industry in 2023…

Recruitment is an ever-changing field, especially in past few years following the pandemic and the unprecedented disruptions that came along with it. Now we’re a couple of months into 2023, it’s evident that it’s set to continue bringing new trends and challenges to the recruitment space.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s important for us as recruiters to stay ahead of the curve to attract and retain top talent. Based off recent conversations myself and my team have been having with candidates and clients alike, I’ve put together some of what I think will be the key recruitment trends that are likely to shape the hiring landscape in 2023:

AI-powered recruitment

Like many other things, AI is transforming the way recruiters find and hire candidates through tools such as chatbots, predictive analytics and natural language processing. Alongside streamlining processes, it can also automate repetitive tasks such as screening CVs, scheduling interviews and analyse data from candidates’ social media profiles, and other online activities.

Allowing AI to help us in areas that don’t need such a personable touch can help get those in demand top candidates through processes faster – so I think we need to embrace this and not be afraid of changing old habits. The potential this could add to recruitment processes is huge – as long as we ensure to understand and utilise it in the right ways!

Virtual recruitment

Virtual recruitment is nothing new, but it has become increasingly important following the pandemic as recruiters look for ways to reach a wider pool of candidates and save time and money on things like in-person interviews. As technology continues to advance, we may see the rise of virtual reality recruitment, where candidates can experience simulated work environments and interact with potential colleagues.

I think recruitment will always be a human led industry where the recruiter-candidate relationship is one of the most important parts, so we to make sure there’s a balance and not become over reliant on tech. For things such as video interviews, online assessments and virtual job fairs, though, this shift in the recruitment world will be invaluable.

Emphasis on soft skills

Technical skills will always be vital when it comes to finding a fit in the complex world we work in – but there’s now a greater emphasis on soft skill than ever. The personal attributes that enable individuals to work effectively with others  As organizations become more diverse and collaborative, recruiters will need to find candidates with the right mix of technical and soft skills to succeed.

There’s currently high competition for the best talent, and we’re find that some organisations can’t afford to pay the top salaries compared to the big names in their market. Assessing the soft and transferrable skills of a candidate may lead them to hiring someone who could quickly pick up the role and remit.

Candidate experience

To stand out from the crowd, recruiters need to focus on providing a great candidate experience. With the power being in the candidate’s hands, it’s almost guaranteed that they have a finger in more than one pie – meaning slick, efficient processes secure talent quicker than others.

Creating seamless, personalised processes that are designed to meet the needs of each candidate can be aided by the use tech as mentioned above – but this must come hand in hand with building a trusting report between yourself and your candidates.

Embracing diversity and inclusion

Diversity and inclusion have been important topics in the recruitment world for many years, and it’s becoming increasingly important to give beyond just hiring a diverse group of candidates – companies need to create an environment where everyone feels valued and included.

The use of screening tech to remove unconscious bias from recruitment processes may be something we see in 2023 to help build these more diverse and inclusive workplaces.

I recently wrote about this topic in another blog, but in a nutshell, I think this needs to be top of any tech company’s agenda! Not embracing diversity and inclusion not only makes them a less attractive place to work, but are missing out in terms of increased innovation, creativityand even revenue.

Looking ahead, I think it’s safe to say this year’s recruitment trends will be driven by tech and the need to stand out from the crowd. As technology continues to evolve, the recruiters who embrace the points I’ve discussed above will be well positioned to find and hire the best talent for their organisations.

FMC Smart Industry is a team of individuals who are delivering the key sales, technical and leadership talent for digital transformation companies around the world. We have an excellent track record of introducing the most forward-thinking industry 4.0 professionals to companies who are looking to drive changes and revolutionise the traditional industrial sectors.  

If you’re interested in learning more about the opportunities we’re currently working on or would like to find out how FMC can support your recruitment needs this year, contact me at wda@fmctalent.com or call me on +44 (0) 7834 792 348.