It’s hard to believe it, but we’re almost halfway through 2022. As one of the top employment agencies in Lehigh Valley, HTSS, Inc. is always looking ahead at what’s in store for the next few months, so we can steer our clients in the right direction.
Many hiring trends we’re anticipating are simply a continuation of those a lot of companies have already experienced this year. Some may have already impacted your organization, while others might not have made their way to you yet.
Regardless, here’s a look at few trends that should be on your radar.
Four Hiring Trends to Expect for the Remainder of 2022
Increased Emphasis on Remote Work
The COVID-19 pandemic sent employees home from the office in droves — and many don’t want to go back. Now that people have grown accustomed to working remotely, expect this to be a key focus in many job searches.
Consequently, if you’re able to make jobs remote — or at least partially remote — you’ll have a larger candidate pool at your fingertips. If your company allows employees to work from home and a competitor doesn’t, you’ll be more likely to secure top talent.
Candidates Expect Competitive Pay
It’s no secret that job seekers want a new employer who will pay them a fair wage. However, current candidates are keenly aware of the labor shortage, so they’re seeking out companies willing to pay up for top talent.
For example, the average hourly rate for workers in office and administrative support positions in Allentown was $19.61 in 2020, compared with $17.43 in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Therefore, it’s important to evaluate the pay associated with your open positions, to make sure it’s competitive.
Greater Focus on Skills
In the past, you might’ve written off candidates without a long employment history with one company — i.e., a potential job hopper — a resume gap or who didn’t meet certain educational criteria. However, this way of thinking is quickly becoming dated, due to the pandemic.
Since people have faced a number of job-related obstacles in the past two years that are largely out of their control — i.e., layoffs, having to step away from the workforce to homeschool kids, etc. — it’s now often better to focus on their skills. Failing to do so can cause you to miss out on the person who is truly the best fit for the job.
Employees Aren’t Afraid to Quit
The labor shortage has shifted the current job market in favor of candidates. As a result, employees aren’t afraid to seek new employment opportunities, if they’re not fully satisfied with their job. This makes it more important than ever to know what your employees want and try your best to give it to them, so you don’t have a mass exodus of top talent.
Searching for outstanding new hires to join your Lehigh Valley team? HTSS, Inc. wants to help you find the best person for the job. Contact us today to learn more!