Spotlight Building Teams: The Future of Talent Acquisition is Here: Top Trends for 2021 Trends like the digitization of hiring, a continuation of remote-friendly work environments, and a deepening commitment to diversity and inclusion will shape talent acquisition in 2021, fuelled by the developments over the past year. Are you ready? BY MITA MANDAWKER
C COVID-19 marked a radical change in the way we lived, worked, and hired talent for companies. The pandemic accelerated digital transformation, ushering in what some are calling a ‘Fourth Industrial revolution.’ Globally, businesses hustled to quickly make their operations, people, and process virtual and digital-friendly. After the initial slowdown, companies have now embraced the ‘new normal’ and on their way to scaling businesses again. However, they need the right workforce and talent to do that. As more roles become remote-friendly and following the shakeup we saw in 2020, the talent market has never been more competitive. As the demand for talent picks up, it is essential to understand what trends will shape talent acquisition in 2021 so you can be ready to bring the best talent onto your team. We anticipate that trends like the digitization of hiring, a continuation of remotefriendly work environments, and a deepening commitment to diversity and inclusion will shape talent acquisition in 2021, fueled by the developments over the past year. Are you ready? 16 I Inversk Magazine I March-April 2021
AI will pave the way for data-driven talent decisions
this technology built into their HR platforms already, it will be important to identify and work with a capable, trusted technology Hiring the right people in a timely and partner. cost-effective manner is a challenge for every business. Companies will focus on a Diversity and inclusion will go beyond data-driven approach to hiring talent this year mere points on the checklist leveraging AI (artificial intelligence). AI is proven to be better at seeing patterns than 2020 was a pivotal year for diversity, especially people. This will be a game-changer as it will with conversations around the Black Lives help companies make smarter hiring decisions Matter movement. A lot of organizations and eliminate unconscious bias, which defined and put down policies on diversity permeates the hiring processes. and inclusion for the first time. They set Companies will start integrating diversity targets, to reflect their stance on AI-powered chatbots for the initial phases of diversity and inclusion, especially in their applicant screening to better identify the top talent decisions. candidates before taking them to the next For many companies, 2021 will be a stages in the hiring cycle (scheduling multiple year for accountability. Companies will move rounds of interviews, etc.) beyond checking off items on their diversity The use of AI will also permeate the and inclusion checklist, to showing the outother phases of the employee lifecycle like comes of their efforts. Inclusion will become automation of employee verification, onboard- more than a word: for companies to retain ing, etc. Since most companies do not have amazing, diverse talent, it will be essential for
