You've probably experienced it in your daily work: For most companies, the year 2020 was characterized by restrictions in recruiting. To help you get off to a flying start in the new year, we have summarized the most important recruiting trends in 2021 for you.

#No. 1 Recruiting trend: Use of gamification in the recruiting process.

By using gamification in the hiring process, recruiters can make certain skills such as time management, working under pressure, and innovative thinking visible during the hiring process: through tasks that candidates actually have to solve on the job. These tests usually have different solution levels and built-in distractions, among other things.

A good example is something the pizza delivery service "Domino's" built into the hiring process. In the game: "Create your pizza", applicants were asked to "bake" their digital pizza with various restrictions. Such a trend in the recruitment process can break the old, traditional patterns of the recruitment process - but also requires abstraction in interpreting the results.

#No. 2 Recruitment Trend: Social Recruitment

One of the most important recruiting trends in 2021 is the use of social media recruiting. The declared goal is to encourage potential candidates to apply via as many touchpoints as possible. Spreading losses can be greatly reduced by targeted selection of target groups. This approach is particularly effective because: 60 % of potential applicants are not actively looking for a new job, but are open to a career change.

These candidates are therefore not active on classic job portals and job boards such as Indeed, Stepstone and Co. but must be approached via the websites and apps they also use in other ways. XING, LinkedIn, but also networks such as Facebook, Instagram or various blogs and forums Always remember this, even if you yourself are not the most convinced Facebook user: 23 million Germans use the social network every day. Another advantage that should be highlighted here is that you greatly reduce wastage by targeting specific groups.

More and more companies are already using social recruiting as a new channel in 2020. This phenomenon will, it is certain, become even more prominent in 2021.

#No. 3 Recruitment trend: Automation

Recruitment automation refers to technology that enables organizations to automate typical recurring recruitment tasks and processes through the use of software-as-a-service (SaaS). Why? Because it increases staff productivity in the HR department, speeds up recruitment time, reduces cost per recruitment and has a positive impact on the candidate experience.

Talent acquisition teams are given an automation approach to replace what were previously manual processes. In addition, software standards such as machine learning, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence are making their way into the entire acquisition process.

#No. 4 Recruiting Trend: The Power of the Candidate Experience

Candidate Experience is one of the most important HR trends of 2021. Every interaction candidates have with their potential new employer, regardless of the source (e.g., screening, interview, etc.), impacts their experience with the company. For you as a recruiter, this means you need to have exceptional experiences at every source - and, of course, in the follow-up.

A good Candidate Experience encourages applicants to share their positive impressions with other potential and passive applicants, which helps employers build their employer brand.

#No. 5 Recruitment trend: multigenerational workforce

The year 2020 marks a new chapter in the age diversity of the workforce, driven by small demographic shifts in the population. In particular, the retirement of baby boomers and the entry of Generation Z into the workforce means that companies will see more age diversity - along with different interests and approaches - in their day-to-day operations. This trend will continue in 2021.

The Global Recruiting Trend Report also concludes that 89% of recruiters believe that a multigenerational HR policy makes a company more successful. In addition, 56% of companies have recently adapted their hiring process to appeal to all age groups.

With these recruiting trends for 2021, you can continue to lay the groundwork and support your company's growth with new employees!

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