Over the past few years, the unemployment rate in America has dropped significantly, allowing job seekers to be more selective in their employment opportunities and prove themselves to employers. However, with fewer jobs to go around, employers being just as particular in who they hire, and technology permeating every aspect of work and social culture, the hiring process has taken on a long and more complex life of its own.
We at the Management and Strategy Institute have been keeping tabs on the trends of today’s hiring process and provide plenty of industry-recognized professional development opportunities, including Six Sigma Black Belt certifications, for potential employees wishing to differentiate themselves from the hordes of applicants. Here are five of the hiring trends that all applicants should consider well before clicking “submit”:
Pre-Testing
The bane of college applicants has now become a regular addition to many job applications and interviews. These exams could include personality, aptitude, functional, or writing tests, and they help to narrow down the applicant pool to only those exhibiting the qualities and skills required for the role. This process saves the employer and the employee time, while also preventing the frustration of hiring a worker who is unqualified for the position. Of course, these assessments have been known to stump even the most qualified applicants.
We recommend reading and rereading the job description to ensure you have the appropriate experience and background knowledge for the role. We also encourage you to research the company and the field in which you are applying to prepare for a potential interview and exam.
Virtual Vetting & Social Media Recruitment
Remember the days when you could send (or hand in!) a job application, the employer would review it, and then call you for a few in-person interviews? Well, that time has come and gone. And it’s not a bad thing! For remote and in-office positions alike, many employers are opting to save themselves and their applicants time and gas money by requesting a virtual interview. This strategy allows you to see the people with or for whom you would be working and help you determine if you would like to be a part of their team.
Another way employers are using technology to vet their applicants is through social media. It has become a long-established practice for many employers to “stalk” applicants’ social media profiles to learn more about the applicant. But, now it seems employers are looking at social media from a recruitment standpoint. So, don’t be surprised if a job recruiter sends you a message through LinkedIn or Facebook or a DM on Instagram asking you for a virtual interview!
Welcome to the modern world of technology!
Spike in Competition
We may have a healthy economy, and the unemployment rate may reflect that fact, but it doesn’t necessarily make it easier for a job seeker to secure an interview or an employer to entice the right applicants. Employers will always have benefits packages, salary offers, and job flexibility in their back pockets. However, the new trend is offering employees intangible, non-financial perks that might make the employees happier or more marketable, like company culture, lunches, and professional development opportunities. Applicants will be jumping all over these jobs while employers are bending over backwards to get that reaction.
Technology Requirement
Technology is the way of the world, and all job applicants who are not adept at technology or are not willing to put in the time or effort to learn will struggle to land an interview. According to a recent survey by CareerBuilder, 69 percent of employers stated that every job today is a tech job. We are in agreement there. Since most employers use technology and require employees to learn and expertly utilize the tech, those who have experience and are trainable are more likely to get the callback.
Potential > Degrees
In the past, degrees were the be-all-end-all of job applications. If you had a B.A. in Journalism from NYU, the Times might have been apt to throw a job offer at you on the spot. In 2019, degrees are still important, but employers are prioritizing other factors, such as job trajectory and potential, in their hiring process. This trend may be frustrating to many, but it could also spell success if you look at it right. Employers are more willing to invest in their employees by offering professional development and competency-based training to mold them into well-rounded employees rather than put all their money on a framed piece of paper.
The job market has never been so unique, annoying, engaging, and exciting than in 2019. We are a tech society with different needs, and the trends in the hiring process embody this truth. If you are a job seeker and are looking for a way to impress potential employers or just increase your knowledge and skills, take a look at some of our professional development certifications including Six Sigma Black Belt, today!
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