THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING
Hrtech Outlook Weekly Brief
Be first to read the latest tech news, Industry Leader's Insights, and CIO interviews of medium and large enterprises exclusively from Hrtech Outlook
The industrial sector has undergone significant transformations in recent years, impacting the way businesses recruit top talent. The rise of remote and contract positions, coupled with the lingering effects of pandemic-induced disruptions, has led workers in manufacturing, transportation, and construction to reevaluate their preferences regarding how, where, and when they work. HR professionals are now facing intense competition in their quest to secure both entry-level and skilled candidates. Prolonged vacancies for these roles can make it increasingly challenging for organizations to achieve their strategic objectives.
Sterling's most recent research report in the industrial sector unveils valuable insights into hiring and background screening, drawing from HR professionals and job seekers. These insights can guide businesses in refining their hiring processes and adopting best practices. Below are some key findings derived from responses from over 280 HR professionals and 1,000 recent job seekers.
Challenges in Finding Skilled Workers Despite the growing demand for skilled workers, our research found that approximately 50% of HR professionals are grappling with the task of identifying qualified candidates for highly regulated and safety-sensitive roles. Additionally, 30% are engaged in fierce competition with direct competitors to attract top talent. Several factors contribute to this shortage, including early retirements among Baby Boomers, the removal of shop classes from schools, and the less favorable perception of skilled labor among younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z.
Another hurdle HR professionals face is staying abreast of evolving regulations and practices. In today's competitive and complex hiring landscape, it is crucial for HR professionals to adapt their hiring and screening processes to align with changing regulations.
Desire for a Simplified Hiring Experience The hiring process is a collaborative experience involving hiring managers, HR professionals, and candidates. It is imperative for employers to gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives of job seekers.
Our research revealed that a significant number of job seekers have contemplated dropping out of, or have actually dropped out of, the hiring process due to its complexity and length. This unfortunate outcome reflects a challenging or time-consuming candidate experience. HR professionals and hiring managers should prioritize providing a straightforward, efficient, and engaging hiring process for their candidates.
In our report, we delve into other primary reasons why job candidates opt out of the hiring process. We also provide candidates with the opportunity to express, in their own words, what they wish HR professionals understood about the candidate experience.
Investment in Background Screening Programs Background screening is often perceived as merely another set of tasks within the hiring process. However, these screenings are essential in ensuring that organizations meet the requirements for highly regulated sectors and safety-sensitive roles.
HR professionals are actively exploring opportunities to enhance their background screening programs, with a particular focus on incorporating identity verification to bolster thoroughness. Our industrial research report offers a deeper examination of the changes HR professionals are making to their background screening programs, including the screening of different types of workers and candidates. We also explore the primary reasons why HR professionals are increasingly embracing technology and automation to enhance the background screening experience.
Moving Forward with Your Hiring Process The insights presented in our report demonstrate that HR professionals are adopting a realistic perspective on what they can achieve in the short term while maintaining an opportunistic outlook on how the hiring process can evolve in the future. To access all these actionable insights and learn more about reimagining your hiring process, please refer to the complete report.
