By 2025, millennials and Gen Z will make up 75% of the workforce. Following the Great Resignation and Great Rehiring, human resources (HR) and staffing professionals are being challenged to help this new generation of employees find the right fit. The market is hot, application volume is increasing and remote work is the new norm. Put a magnifying glass over what used to be minor details in the interview process, and it’ll help ensure you’re hiring the best candidate for the job.
Here are three tips for enhancing the interview experience in today’s hiring landscape:
Teamwork makes the dream work. Filling a headcount and closing a candidate ASAP is definitely important, but moving too quickly could cause you to miss something. Include another unbiased opinion (from another hiring manager or colleague) who can sit in on a final round of interviews. That second person can observe and understand things the interviewer may subconsciously tune out and offer great insight and perspective that otherwise would not have been considered. A recording can also suffice here.
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Interpreting the good, the bad and the ugly. There are many indicators of whether a candidate is a good fit. It starts with punctuality, logging in promptly at the start time or a few minutes before to allow for any potential hiccups. Along the same lines, a sense of urgency via timely follow-up notes can gauge how well a candidate will stay on top of workflow. Other intangibles are professionalism and personality — and, in most cases, a combination of both. Pay attention to candidate responses and ensure their answers exhibit research. Generic responses or vagueness can be a red flag. Be cautious of candidates who appear to just be going through the motions.
Recruiters are a secret weapon. While many talented professionals find positions without the help of a staffing professional, recruiters look out for candidates’ and employers’ best interests. Recruiters are incentivized to find the best match, as their business thrives on word-of-mouth referrals or when candidates turn into hiring managers. Likewise, backfilling someone doesn’t make for a good reputation. Interviewing can also be an emotional rollercoaster for both parties. Recruiters are not only cheerleaders, but also therapists or negotiators. HR and staffing professionals might challenge you, but it’s all for the greater good of finding the right fit.
With the rise of the new millennial and Gen Z workforce, companies and talent are becoming more and more specific about finding the right fit for them professionally, and different criteria are becoming more significant. It is important that HR and staffing professionals adapt to the new landscape to ensure interviews and the hiring process ultimately make the best matches possible.