After a so-so year of 2015 job opportunities, prospects for employment in the New Year are looking positive with some even going so far as calling it the end of the “jobless recovery.” For December graduates and those on the hunt for a new position in 2016 this is very good news. Those covering trends in recruitment also predict the recovery will bring a host of longer-term changes to the job market.
The P (People) Factor
In addition to the expected employment evolution in the form of new job opportunities, this year will also welcome a new generation of employees to the workforce. For the first time in history, employers have the potential to have Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y (Millennials) and Generation Z (born since 1994) all working under the same roof. For businesses still wondering how to best incorporate Millennial workers into the mix, Generation Y could keep everyone on their collective toes. Getting a handle on the ins and outs of this new generation will be especially critical because they will make up one-fifth of the workforce in the next three years, according to a Forbes article.
Workplace Trend Forecast
Social Media – The importance of having a presence on social media sites will continue not only to convey a company’s external brand image but to also highlight its internal workings. This means companies must remain cognizant of how they interact with internal employees, external vendors and partners and potential employees. The interconnected nature of social media sites makes it increasingly easy to share, and social sites also provide an element of transparency during the job search through sites such as Glassdoor and Vault that provide CEO, environment and salary reviews regarding potential employers.
Building in Flexibility – The desire to work in an adaptable and flexible workplace will continue to be a major theme among employees in Generations X, Y, and Z. In addition to the desire for a flexible schedule to care for aging parents, children and general life demands, Forbes forecasted the need for employers to offer flexibility in salary, including offering tuition reimbursement and options for travel abroad.
Putting the Fun in Work – Larger employers may soon be taking a note from their smaller counterparts and start-up colleagues who look to add an element of fun at work. The efforts to promote employee retention include proposed new roles with titles for Minister of Culture, Director of Employee Engagement and roles centralized around employee engagement.
Improving the Job Search – 2016 may also finally see the abandonment of long-form and repetitious job applications in favor of a more human approach. This is in response to the 68 percent abandonment rate while filling out an employment application. Curious about the reason for abandonment? Forbes cited respondents saying it was “because the process was too long or required too much information.”
If the following predictions are any indication, 2016 is a year that should make the job search more dynamic and interesting than ever before. To learn more about recruiting efforts at Austin Nichols Technical Search, click here.
As a top Kansas City recruiting firm since 1988, Austin Nichols Technical Search has served clients in a variety of fields and specializations. Austin Nichols specializes in direct hire and contract recruiting for all generations in manufacturing, construction, engineering, and technical positions.
