Heading into the second half of 2024, challenges remain for hiring professionals. From emerging skills gaps in rapidly growing areas such as generative AI, to shifting workforce demographics, and changing organisational needs, those in HR and recruitment are juggling more balls than ever.
To get more granular on some specific areas of focus, we talked to Owen Murray, the founder and CEO of urhired.ie, which provides bespoke job interview preparation advice and guidance to individuals to boost their job-seeking journey.
Additionally, Murray helps businesses with their interview strategies, so that they secure the right talent, and he works with jobseekers at any level to secure their dream job––including those with ADHD or anxiety.
We asked him for his thoughts about the challenges recruiters are facing this year. Here’s what he has observed about the current hiring landscape.
What are 2024’s specific hiring challenges?
There is a skills gap with emerging technologies and employers are finding it more challenging to find the expertise they need, especially when it comes to experience with machine learning and AI. Educational institutions and training programs play a huge part in upskilling and reskilling continuously.
The evolution of remote work and hybrid models has presented cultural and logistical challenges for managers. Companies are finding it challenging to balance flexibility with team productivity.
Work-life balance––but especially mental health–– is being prioritised by more and more employees which is great to see. This means that any business needs to prioritise a culture of work-life balance and positive mental health when selling their business to their candidates.
Are you seeing a shift in the kinds of roles being hired for?
We are seeing an increase in roles like social media managers, content strategists, software developers, cybersecurity experts and data scientists. There is an increase in demand for tech talent which has been accelerated by Covid-19; the increase in e-commerce and remote working.
Also, more and more companies are hiring for their diversity, equity and inclusion departments such as DEI leads and HR employees who specialise in DEI.
Is generative AI impacting the hiring process?
I believe generative AI will help with any company’s hiring process. Its power to predict hiring forecasts based on previous hiring data will be a game changer for the recruitment industry.
When it comes to hybrid and remote, what has changed?
Any company that decides to return to the office, be hybrid or fully remote needs to make the decision based on what their employees are telling them. A company that decides to work three days from the office without consulting its employees will find it hard to retain talent, as this option may not suit everyone.
Are candidates demanding more from employers in new areas?
Job seekers are looking for businesses that practise a genuine commitment to building a diverse workforce. Younger job seekers are starting to prioritise companies that have sustainable practices.
What is the question a hiring manager should ask a candidate in an interview?
If I had one question it would be “What do you do outside of work?”
This question will show you how passionate and curious the candidate is. For example, if they play basketball at a competitive level, that means they are a team player, they are focused, they are passionate––but also results-driven.
Try it out on your next candidate, and see how much you can learn from this much softer question.
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