The trends in HR recruitment

HR recruitment, especially when it comes to finding HR professionals themselves, is very much on the move. At a time when the labour market is tighter than ever, attracting good HR managers, recruiters and other HR talent is a real challenge. And that while these people are essential for keeping companies running, retaining talent and building a strong work culture. But how do you make sure you bring in exactly those HR professionals who are not only capable, but also fit your company’s unique culture? In this blog we look at the main trends and challenges in recruiting HR staff.

1. Employer branding is crucial

Employer branding is often seen as a tool for attracting and retaining young starters and high potentials, but it’s just as important for HR professionals. HR experts are usually closely involved in developing their own company’s employer brand, so they know how important it is. The irony is that they are often the very people who can see through it when a company presents itself as better than it really is.

So to attract HR talent, you need to be authentic and consistent in your employer branding. As a company, show what you stand for, what the culture is like and which values you promote. That also means being transparent about growth opportunities, workload, flexibility and other factors that matter to HR professionals. So be open and honest, because that’s the only way to build a strong employer brand (over a long period).

2. Flexibility and remote working: must-haves, not extras

HR professionals used to be mainly accustomed to being physically present in the office, but the pandemic changed that considerably. The work of an HR manager or recruiter, for example, can easily be done (partly) from home or from another country. For recruiters who want to call people after office hours, different time zones can even come in handy. That’s why this flexibility is a big pull factor in HR recruitment.

3. Diversity and inclusion in HR’s DNA

Would people who want to create an inclusive work culture want to work for a company that doesn’t prioritise it? Of course not! Diversity and inclusion are themes HR departments are taking more and more seriously. That’s why most HR professionals also want to work for a company that actually lives up to the idea of diversity in the workplace.

And don’t forget to show the outside world that you embrace diversity and inclusion, in your employer branding for example. After all, you want people who don’t work for you yet to see your company’s norms and values too. It can give candidates that extra push to apply!

4. Focus on personal development and leadership

Many HR professionals are involved in employee development in their role, but they too need growth and new challenges. HR managers and recruiters don’t just want to know that there’s room to develop themselves further; they also want to know exactly which career opportunities there are. That’s why it’s important to state concretely, for example in job ads and job marketing ads, which roles someone can work towards: a senior or management position, for example. That quickly gives you an edge with ambitious HR professionals.

5. Soft skills carry more weight

As more and more work is automated, in the world of HR too, the focus is shifting increasingly towards soft skills. HR professionals need to be empathetic, think in solutions and communicate well. If you emphasise these skills in your recruitment process while searching for the right HR employee, candidates know you take your recruitment seriously. It also makes clear that your organisation sees HR as a field where the human side is central: an insight your ideal candidate should share.

Building a healthy foundation

Transparency, flexibility and being concrete: these key words should form the foundation of your HR recruitment. Recruiting HR professionals often calls for a different approach from other recruitment processes. By moving with the times and following the 5 tips above, you too can strengthen your HR team with, for example, the ideal HR manager, recruiter or recruitment consultant!