Three Important Hiring Trends In 2020

Technology has redefined the way we hire and approach the job-seeking process. As we veer towards the end of 2020, it’s clear that the hiring landscape is far different than it was a decade ago. Companies are no longer looking for run-of-the-mill workers and employees are expecting more from their employers. Understanding some of these hiring trends can help you navigate your job hunt with greater ease. With that in mind, here are three key hiring trends for 2020.

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Boost In Gig Economy & Remote Workforce

There’s no denying that 2020 created a dramatic spike in the remote workforce and gig economy. With COVID-19 resulting in a significant stay at home orders, many organizations quickly adapted the telecommuting model. However, trends were already leaning in this direction.

Many organizations were already leveraging remote work to their benefit for several reasons. Studies have shown that remote workers are more productive, benefit from greater sense of autonomy, and feel more in control of their careers. It also reduces overhead costs for companies, creates additional flexibility, and is seen as a great work perk. In fact, one study even found that there were a number of people who would be willing to sacrifice a portion of their salary for remote work benefits.

Video Resumes & Cover Letters

The traditional hiring process is antiquated. As competition for great positions are increasing, more and more companies are asking candidates to submit video resumes or prompt-based videos in addition to their resume. Because many employers are receiving dozens and hundreds of applications, analyzing video resumes and cover letters allows them to gain better insight into personality, culture fit, public speaking, presentation, and more.

Some video prompts simply ask the candidate to take two minutes to tell them about themselves, while others ask for a series of more detailed prompts.

HireArt is a great example of this; HireArt nixes the traditional cover letter in favor of video prompts and leverages deep assessments to gain better insight into candidate viability. Their goal is to help job seekers prove that they’re made of more than just words on a resume. If you’ve been tasked with creating a video cover letter or complementary video for your application, there are a few key things to remember.

For starters, always use the entire allotted time to create your video. If you’re granted two minutes to cover a topic, use the entire two minutes rather than 40 seconds. Furthermore, always use the best tools for your device to practice and perfect your videos. For instance, if you had a Windows OS, then you might use a tool like Vidyard to learn how to record screen on Windows 10 and make mock videos before you send off the real thing.

On that note, it’s likely best if you create a short script for your video before you start recording to help you remember your key points. Ideally, you’ll be able to break your answers down like a listicle. For example, if the question was “Why should we hire you?” you might want to break your answer down into three key points. However, it’s important to strike a fine balance between seeming scripted versus unscripted.

The last thing you want to do is come across as robotic and rehearsed, which can detract from your true personality. Remember, if you do believe you need a script, don’t try to follow it word for word; rather, use it as a steering wheel for your video’s direction.

Growing Talent Recruitment & Agencies

According to one source, the average corporate job ad receives 250 resumes. Some positions receive upwards of 500 resumes and even the small startups can receive well over 100 resumes. To help organizations better sift through their candidates, many are turning to talent and recruitment agencies. These agencies act as a matchmaking service for companies and candidates. They are usually free to the job seeker while an organization pays when the right candidate is found, typically at a percentage of the job seeker’s salary.

Agencies can be a win-win for candidates and businesses. Because agencies are only paid when a hire is made, they are invested in your success. They’ll likely pre-interview you and help you refine your resume to get it to its best starting point. They’ll also connect you to open positions that you may not have heard of otherwise. In fact, many companies that use agencies will not list their open positions on other platforms at all.

If you are interested in even more business-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.

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