From how we communicate and learn, to socialization and shopping, technology has radically changed the way we spend our time. This, of course, includes our time at work, too. 

The hiring and recruitment landscape, despite some lingering traditions, isn’t exempt from the technological revolution. Gone are the days of pay-by-letter newspaper ads, waiting by the rotary, and relying solely on word-of-mouth referrals.  

While technology may be pushing us to spend more time behind a screen and less time face-to-face, the recent advancements have both streamlined and humanized the digital hiring process. Correspondences can be delivered faster than lightning, digital screening offers a glimpse behind the curtain, and modern recruiters have a near-boundless talent pool — but that’s not all. 

5 Ways the Digital Age Has Changed Hiring

 

1. Accelerated Relationship Building 

When contemporary business owners need to find the perfect hire, they definitely aren’t paying by the character for a paragraph in the Sunday Post. Instead, they’re working with an experienced hiring manager, leveraging social media, and crafting exceptional job descriptions

For business owners, technology has flung open the doors of communication and made it possible to share more of your brand story with candidates. By clearly conveying your company’s values through a detailed website, social media profile, and job description, you give active job seekers the chance to actually vet themselves

If they’re not the right fit, they’ll likely move on before your professional recruiter even has to review their curriculum vitae.

Learn More: 7 Steps to Writing a Standout Job Description

 

2. Assessments and Screening

Thankfully for modern business owners, the communication and research process goes both ways.

It’s no longer necessary to sit down with each individual candidate to assess their experience, skills, and resume in-person. Pre-employment assessment tests allow businesses to verify their candidates and weed out the one-third of applicants who fib on their CVs. 

If you want a peek into the personality behind the professional facade, business owners can now authenticate quality candidates via public social media profiles, criminal background checks, and verification letters from educational institutions. 

While technology moves pretty fast, these audits can still take awhile to complete. We typically recommend spending less time investigating potential candidates and more time running your business by working with an experienced, professional recruiter, like those at Sabio Systems

Learn More: How to Spot Lies on a Resume

 

3. Inclusive Hiring

For businesses that want to scale up with high quality employees from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, hiring inclusively has never been easier. Job listing sites and social media have made it possible for companies to reach candidates beyond their immediate networks, which can lead to a more diverse, dynamic team. 

This is crucial for hiring in the modern age, as recent research has shown that job seekers aged 18-34 consider diversity in the workforce to be a major issue. 

  • 72% would consider rejecting a job offer or quitting if they didn’t think their manager supported Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives 
  • 67% would consider rejecting a job offer or quitting if there was a gender imbalance in management and leadership
  • 65% would consider rejecting a job offer or quitting if there was a lack of race and ethnicity diversity in management and leadership

Learn More: 4 Tips for Finding Top Talent During a Recession

 

4. Meet Candidates Where They Are 

Meeting candidates where they are is not only a crucial factor in hiring inclusively, but a huge bonus for companies looking for top talent

Popular video conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet allow recruiters to make contact with job seekers from across the globe. Beyond removing geographical limits in the hiring process, video platforms also foster connections between companies and qualified candidates with disabilities or mobility restrictions.

This technology has made it possible for remote hiring and employment to continue trending as well, after being popularized by the COVID-19 pandemic. The data shows that workers tend to prefer this expanded accessibility to the workforce, whether or not they have a disability or schedule restriction. 

The second most common reason employees left their jobs in 2022 was in search of remote work. By utilizing the available tech to widen candidate pools, hiring professionals can now find premier applicants and keep businesses competitive. 

Learn More: 4 Tips for Finding Top Talent During a Recession

 

5. Reviews

The ability to leave digital reviews for companies has completely changed the game for hiring and recruitment. 

Poor management, understaffing, or unethical business practices can now be spotted from a mile away. Not every negative comment is based in truth, but 57% of job seekers say unfavorable reviews would stop them from applying for a position with the company. 

Reviews do have their benefits though, as they can help hold businesses accountable for their practices and the performance of their team. Positive reviews can, undoubtedly, offer a massive boost in the credibility of your company as well. 

When it comes to choosing a candidate, however, the best way to research their reviews is to work with a professional recruiting agency. Preferably, a team of accomplished hiring experts with reviews to back the promise — like Sabio Systems

The team at Sabio Systems are true professionals at what they do. I’ve only had positive interactions with their staff.

They are the only recruiting and staffing team whom I’d refer to in their market!

– Julie Brown

Ready to bring your hiring process into the modern age? Contact the Sabio Systems recruiters, explore available resources for hiring, or learn more from our experts on increasing employee satisfaction.