Man and Machines: How Are You Looking For Your Talent

Developments in technology are changing how HR professionals work. In the age of information, using data to make better decisions has never been more important. At many companies, HR departments are using technology to help source the best candidates, automate tedious processes, recruit top talent. Let’s discuss how these developments are improving the search for talent and the overall hiring process.

The Increasing Role of Social Media in the Hiring Process

Smart HR departments are using social media in a couple of different ways. A survey by AdWeek states 74 percent of HR professionals use social media to attract candidates. Many companies use employer branding strategies to position themselves as a desirable place to work. This strategy often involves showcasing employees on company social channels, or even letting different employees do account takeovers to give candidates an inside look at a given role.

HR is also using social media to source talent. 87 percent of HR professionals have used LinkedIn to source candidates. Many HR professionals use LinkedIn recruiting software to help them find the best matches for their job openings. Twitter advanced search is another great tool for finding candidates tweeting about being in the job market.

Finally, HR is using social media to vet candidates. Here are some eye-opening statistics from a recent CareerBuilder survey:

• 57 percent of hiring managers disqualify candidates they can’t find online
• 54 percent have passed on candidates because of something on their social media profiles
• Only 11 percent of companies checked social media profiles in 2006, compared to 70 percent today

Social media is a literal goldmine of information.

Turning to Automation

A recent CareerBuilder study on automation in HR showed that adoption rates vary across organizations. Some companies are using automation to help with recruiting, to onboard new talent, to deal human capital management processes, or all of the above. Those who do not automate have reported losing 14 hours a week manually completing tasks. One thing is clear, the automation is pushing companies ahead of their competition.

Keeping up With the Rising Amount of Applicants

HR professionals on a daily basis, are facing is too much information. The average corporate job opening receives 250 applicants. Technology has made it so easy to apply to jobs that it is now impossible for humans to read each resume. This has led to an explosion in the use of software to automate certain tasks.

According to the 2017 Harvey Nash Human Resources Survey, 15 percent of HR professionals currently use automation software and 40 percent expect to be using it within the next five years.

Software, like the popular ATS, allows HR teams to filter out resumes that don’t meet their criteria without dedicating manpower to the process. Companies can scan for keywords, experiences, skills or even lone words on a resume. It can weed through resumes to identify the candidates for the next stage in the hiring process.

Some companies are even taking this a step further, using predictive analytics to help score applicants. It provides an unbiased third-party screening measure for the first few rounds of the hiring process. Currently only 12 percent of companies use predictive analytics, but that number will likely increase in the next few years.

Communication

In addition to the large number of applicants, HR professionals have to deal with a lot of emails during the hiring process. Communicating with applicants about interviews, hiring status, and questions about the company can be time consuming. Companies are turning to chatbots to help. Having a bot answer frequently asked questions or address small concerns frees up HR pros to handle bigger issues or more pressing matters.

HR pros are also using other forms of AI to help with tedious tasks like scheduling. There’s no doubt that you’ve been part of a back and forth email chain trying to find a convenient time for a meeting. It’s frustrating to say the least. AI schedulers scan calendars and do all the work for you. What a dream!

This is only the beginning. HR technology is only going to become more pervasive and widespread. Companies will be using it to improve productivity, efficiency and recruit the best possible talent. What are you waiting for?

This article was first published on FOW Media.