2024 candidate engagement predictions in talent acquisition

Multiple forces are shaking up talent acquisition, from the dynamic market to the growing presence of AI in HR technology. These impacts are pushing TA leaders to get even more creative with candidate engagement – or risk losing out. Cielo experts weigh in on what it’ll take to win top talent in the coming year:

Personalized connection, amplified by AI

Candidates want to know they’re not falling into a resume black hole when applying for a job. They expect fast and personalized responses – which will be the primary shift for recruiting teams in 2024. AI and automated processes will be important to support this evolution, but recruiters still need to review those generated messages for accuracy and impact. They won’t just be sending what the machine writes. And looking at which communication mediums candidates prefer is of utmost importance. Whether that’s text, WeChat, Facebook Messenger, or something else, it’s all about meeting a candidate where they are. At this point, a recruiter who doesn’t have the ability to text with candidates might as well only accept resumes by fax.
– Jason Roberts, Senior Vice President – Technology & Analytics

Shining through social

Social media is revolutionizing the way companies interact with candidates. In our increasingly digitized world, candidates turn to social platforms to explore job opportunities, research company cultures, and establish connections with hiring managers. Recruiters and brands will need to fully lean into this to win high-quality talent. Building a robust employer brand that’ll stand out online – and showcasing it the right way – will give candidates just what they’re looking for and facilitate better engagement. Employee stories, testimonials, day-in-the-life, and other employee-led social media content will allow talent to get an authentic feel for what it’s like to be part of your organization – and why they should join your team.
– Jemma Karle, Director – Global Social Media

It's all about employee benefits

Job seekers will prioritize employers who provide a seamless candidate experience and personalized benefits beyond salary. Demonstrating your company’s values, technology, and commitment to employee development will remain crucial. An emphasis on employee well-being will continue to be important to candidates, especially support for mental health, work-life balance, and stress management resources. Recruiters are going to have more time to focus on one-on-one candidate interactions thanks to the lift from AI during early-stage engagement – and they’ll do it in more sophisticated ways, with virtual tools and remote onboarding. We may even see the resume take on less importance as skills become more of a focus.
– Jared Best, Vice President – Tech Consulting

Discovering new ways of connecting and making the most of innovative HR technology: that’s the recruitment of tomorrow. With these predictions in hand, you can design a talent strategy that’ll impress candidates and boost your company above the competition.