Thinking About The Future of HR

Originally posted February 14, 2014 on Peoplefluent.

Food for Thought in 2014

The landscape of recruiting and HR is changing drastically and quickly. We have a whole new set of trends and issues coming up, if they’re not already upon us. Good talent has always been the backbone of any successful company, so it’s important for HR departments to know how upcoming changes can affect talent. It is also vital for the success of recruiters to know what this means for sourcing, recruiting and retaining top talent.

Contracted and Part-Time Work on the Rise 

Since the recession, employers have become gun-shy when it comes to pulling the trigger on hiring full-time employees. Company leaders have learned how to keep the organization safe from the ebbs and flows of business by aligning their workforce with industry needs.

This change in our workforce means identifying which positions need what type of worker. This means tracking industry trends and forecasting talent needs.

HR Tech Arms Race

Before you know it, your software is outdated and everyone is hanging out in the cloud except you. With all of the recent advances in HR tech, it can be nearly impossible to keep up. While I can’t say enough about the importance of great HR and recruiting technology, newer doesn’t always mean better.

Figuring out what tools and solutions work for your organization, along with identifying the holes in your process, will help tech decision makers know when to invest in what.

Social Strategies

Could you hop on your social networks as an outsider and identify the organization’s values, or get a sense of the culture? Sure, your “hump day” Facebook post gets likes, but does it get candidates or customers? Switch it up this year. Use metrics, engagement and proven practices to attract talent.

Healthcare Costs

This one has been a thorn in many a side for as long as we can remember and this year it will only get worse. With the Affordable Healthcare Act knocking on the door, are you ready? Are you schooled on what this means for your candidates or employees?

It’s no myth that we are seeing a steady increase in chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, among employees. Our workforce is also getting older, both because of the amount of aging Boomers working and the fact that the recent economic changes have pushed back the traditional retirement age range.

Lack of Skilled Workers

It is also no myth that we are experiencing a lack of skilled workers, and it is only expected to get worse. In a recent SHRM survey, 73% of respondents believe that the shortage of skilled workers will have a major impact on the U.S. workplace over the next five years. Namely, the lack of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) graduates, has become a very concerning trend in the future of HR and recruiting. Read more…

Maren Hogan

Maren Hogan is CEO of Red Branch and general Bad@$$

Maren Hogan is a seasoned marketer and community builder in the HR and Recruiting industry. Maren started Red Branch Media and, before she hired all the smiling faces you see below, she ran it on her own. In marketing for over 15 years, she has deep experience in strategic campaigns and a long-term, results-based operational approach.