With 2024 winding down, now is a great time to revisit your 2025 talent acquisition goals. As you work to prioritize critical roles, we encourage you to also consider the most effective strategies for securing your future leaders. Here are 3 recruiting trends to help you navigate the year ahead:
Increased Engagement with Passive Candidates
According to LinkedIn, 83% of hiring experts believe that “engaging passive candidates” will be the most important recruiting skill of the next five years. While nearly half of employees today are looking at open positions, only 18% are actively applying to them. This means 30% of employed talent may be receptive to the right opportunity, and recruiters who can skillfully connect with this growing segment will have a significant advantage in the marketplace.
2025 Tip: Be proactive in your candidate outreach and prepare to highlight key differentiators that make your company and opportunity uniquely attractive.
Development Programs as a Key Recruiting Strategy
Most companies understand that continuous learning and development are key drivers of innovation, performance, and profitability. However, many are not capitalizing on development programs as an effective recruiting tool. As Forbes explains, organizations offering robust learning opportunities attract top talent by positioning themselves as growth incubators. In one recent study, 86% of respondents said they would change jobs if it meant more opportunities for professional development.
2025 Tip: Clearly outline relevant development opportunities in your job descriptions to increase candidate interest.
Balancing Technology and Human Connection
While most candidates are comfortable with technology expediting the hiring process, 64% value the human expertise of a recruiter to see their true potential, and 65% want to be notified anytime they are interfacing with AI. When determining where to implement new technologies, remember that accurately assessing a candidate’s values, character, and potential still requires a human touch. By building meaningful connections, you’ll enjoy greater decision-making clarity, improve the candidate experience, and ultimately boost the odds of offer acceptance.
2025 Tip: Leverage technology to handle routine tasks, freeing up your team to focus on high-value activities that require nuanced communication and emotional intelligence.
