Talent management is about attracting, developing and rewarding & retaining talent. The first crucial step is to attract talent. This is best done through applicant tracking and recruitment activities, which can include social media, attending conferences, holding recruitment events, etc. This first step is going to become more and more important as the recruiting industry prepares to respond to the changing demands of the workforce.
With 78 million baby boomers turning 65 between the years of 2011 to 2030, there will be a huge gap in the number of skilled workers. Additionally, we will start to see a higher rate of turnover or churn through of employees. Millennials (also known as Gen Y-ers) are expected to engage in 4 to 7 different career changes – yes, that’s careers, not jobs – in their lifetime. Gone are the days of people working for the same company for 30 to 50 years. (Or even 10 years, for that matter.) In order to fill these positions at a higher rate, recruiters and staffing departments will need to have a flexible applicant tracking system in order to meet the on-going demands and handle fluctuations in the job market.
What does this mean for your business?
It means that as you start thinking and planning your upcoming business activities for 2012, you’ve got to develop a plan for dealing with the ever-changing needs of the workforce. As we’ve discussed in a previous blog post, the faster you can respond to the market the better. Recruiters will need to get themselves into a position where they are able to fill a position with minimal time delays to avoid business being disrupted due to staffing changes.
How cloud technology can help.
When you think about your business goals for 2012, does cloud technology fit into them? If not, you might want to consider it. Cloud technology is performing a greater role in recruiting these days, as it allows for greater flexibility and efficiency. With cloud technology, you can simply use a web browser and find potential candidates without cumbersome on-site premises. There are 5 immediate benefits to cloud technology:
- Installation – Implementation process is simplified
- Reduces the need for in-house IT personnel
- Customizable to work with your existing business systems
- Access from anywhere simply by using the internet
- Source candidates quicker and faster than previous systems in real-time
When implemented correctly, cloud technology can give your business a powerful edge over other recruiting firms. It gives your team the flexibility to work from anywhere, have access to up-to-date data and drastically cut down on admin time, which will be very important in the very near future.
Have you thought about switching to a cloud-based applicant tracking system? What are your reasons for switching? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments.
