2022 was a strange year in many ways for us all, and especially so in the recruitment world. We returned to ‘normal life’ after COVID restrictions ended, only to be hit with recession fears and a cost-of-living crisis. This year is looking to be just as unpredictable, but we can certainly make a few educated guesses based on research and our own conversations with both candidates and clients, so let’s take a look at some of the recruitment trends set to impact the industry in 2023.
A shift in the generational workforce: Previously the largest generation of workers, Baby Boomers are now leaving the workforce in their droves. In the aftermath of the pandemic, many chose to take early retirement, or have since been impacted by sweeping redundancies. With Gen X a comparatively small group, this means that Millennials now make up the largest working cohort – with Gen Z set to account for nearly 30% of the workforce by 2025. Long story short: the hiring market is changing, and employers will need to adapt.
Professional development at the top of candidates lists: LinkedIn’s 2022 Global Talent Trends report revealed that professional development is a top priority for workers, coming in just above flexible working and mental health support. This could well be the result of shifting job requirements combined with an uncertain job market, both of which have left employees anxious about their next career move and the safety of their current roles.
Mental health is a higher priority: It’s a very sad fact that recent research has indicated employee burnout in the UK has reached record levels. Added to this, the Royal College of Psychiatrists recently warned that the cost-of-living crisis poses a threat to mental health of ‘pandemic proportions’. Aside from the moral obligations, employers who prioritise mental health and wellbeing are more likely to see boosts in productivity, motivation and engagement, as well as increased retention and reduced attrition.
Hybrid working is here to stay: It’s pretty clear that hybrid and remote work is here to stay, with 48% of employees citing this as a priority in the aforementioned LinkedIn report. Yet, 2022 saw a back and forth between traditional-minded executives who want employees back in the office, and workers who want to retain flexibility and work-life balance. This means we’ll likely continue to see compromise as hybrid working models are perfected, and further resources put into making the transition between the two as simple and seamless as possible.
If you’re looking to grow your team in 2023 then you’re in the right place! We’ve been working with employers for over 30 years now and we have the experience to help you find the perfect addition to your workforce.