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The first weeks of 2023 have brought more news of layoffs in the technology sector, indicating that the job cut trends that intensified through last year are continuing into the new year. Companies like Google, Amazon, and BlackRock have all announced workforce reductions recently as they reallocate resources and brace for potential economic challenges ahead. This could mean more skilled tech talent flooding the market even as hiring slows in certain areas.

At the same time, developments in artificial intelligence, especially in generative AI, look set to transform many jobs and industries. From knowledge workers to executive roles, employers will need to prepare for integrating AI into workflows and processes. Recruitment strategies must also evolve to attract talent literate in leveraging AI for innovation and efficiency gains. The public sector is also beginning to tap the power of AI for streamlining hiring and enhancing diversity. 

Other notable topics include remote work trends, with high-paying remote jobs decreasing, and recruitment marketing tactics to alleviate prevalent job security fears among candidates amidst a cloudy economic outlook.

As inflation slows, the job market gains Fed mindshare

In this article by Howard Schneider, the focus shifts to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s increasing attention on the job market as inflation eases. The Fed is balancing the need to control inflation with maintaining a healthy job market, keeping a close watch on hiring plans and industry employment patterns. The current situation presents a pivotal moment for the Fed, especially considering the upcoming U.S. presidential election and its potential impact on inflation control, interest rates, and unemployment.

Recruitment Marketing Implications in a Shifting Economic Landscape

• Emphasize Job Security: In your recruitment messaging, highlight the stability and long-term prospects of the roles, catering to candidates’ concerns in an uncertain economic environment.
• Stay Industry-Aware: Keep a close watch on sectors like health and education, adapting strategies to focus on areas showing consistent hiring trends.
• Responsive Strategy Development: Be prepared to swiftly adjust recruitment strategies in response to changes in the labor market, informed by Federal Reserve policies and economic indicators.
• Leverage Technology for Agility: Utilize AI and data analytics tools to stay ahead of market changes, ensuring quick adaptation in talent acquisition approaches.
• Monitor Employment Patterns: Pay attention to shifts in industry employment trends, as these can offer early indicators of broader changes in the job market.

An alarming number of employees are worried about layoffs. What HR can do.

Tom Starner’s article highlights the growing concerns among employees about job security amidst recent layoffs in big tech companies. Citing a survey by My Perfect Resume, it reveals that 85% of workers are worried about losing their jobs in 2024. The article also discusses the broader sentiment of pessimism in the job market, with expectations of a recession and increased job competition. HR experts suggest several strategies to manage these fears, focusing on transparency, empathy, maintaining positivity, emphasizing teamwork, and setting realistic expectations.

Navigating Employee Layoff Concerns in Recruitment Marketing

• Address Job Security in Messaging: In your recruitment marketing, emphasize the stability and long-term prospects of roles, addressing prevalent job security concerns among candidates.
• Promote a Positive Work Culture: Highlight your company’s commitment to a positive work environment and team cohesion, which is crucial in times of market uncertainty.
• Transparency in Communication: Ensure clear and honest communication about the company’s status and future plans, which can build trust and alleviate fears among potential candidates.
• Showcase Growth and Development Opportunities: Stress on career development and growth opportunities within your organization to appeal to candidates seeking long-term career prospects.
• Acknowledge Industry Realities: Recognize the current challenges in the tech industry and other sectors facing layoffs, and tailor your recruitment strategies to address these specific concerns.

Amazon cuts hundreds of jobs in Prime Video and MGM Studios: Read the memo to employees

Annie Palmer reports on Amazon’s recent layoffs affecting hundreds of employees in its Prime Video and MGM Studios divisions. Mike Hopkins, overseeing these units, communicated these changes via a memo, emphasizing the company’s need to prioritize investments for long-term success. This move is part of a larger trend at Amazon, which has seen more than 27,000 job cuts across various departments since late 2022, marking the largest layoffs in its history.

Talent Acquisition Strategies in the Wake of Tech Sector Layoffs

• Capitalize on Available Talent: With layoffs in prominent companies like Amazon, there’s an opportunity to attract skilled professionals looking for new roles. Tailor recruitment strategies to appeal to this talent pool.
• Emphasize Stability and Growth: In your recruitment messaging, underscore the stability and growth potential in your organization, which can be a significant draw for candidates affected by layoffs.
• Focus on Industry-Specific Skills: Highlight the specific skills and experiences that are highly valued in your industry, attracting laid-off workers who may be looking to transition into new sectors.
• Offer Comprehensive Support: Provide robust onboarding and training programs to support candidates transitioning from different sectors or roles, making your organization an attractive option for diverse talent.
• Leverage Employer Branding: Use your company’s brand and reputation as a stable and forward-thinking employer to attract top talent in a competitive job market.

Google cuts hundreds of engineering, voice assistance jobs amid cost-cutting drive

Reported by CBS/AP, Google has announced layoffs affecting its hardware, voice assistance, and engineering teams. This move aligns with Google’s strategic shift towards responsibly investing in artificial intelligence and other priority areas. The article also notes similar trends in other tech giants like Microsoft, which is intensifying its focus on AI. The layoffs are part of broader cost-cutting measures following earlier announcements of significant workforce reductions.

Adapting Recruitment Strategies to Tech Industry Shifts

• Target AI and Tech Professionals: With layoffs in specific areas like hardware and voice assistance, there’s an opportunity to attract talented professionals with these specialized skills. Focus on how their expertise can contribute to your organization’s growth, especially if you’re investing in AI or related tech fields.
• Emphasize Innovative Projects: Highlight any innovative projects or AI initiatives in your company to appeal to candidates interested in cutting-edge technology and development.
• Competitive Advantage Through Diversity: Showcase how your company’s diversity in project scope and stability in certain sectors can be a competitive advantage for potential candidates seeking job security.
• Adapt to Industry Trends: Stay updated with industry trends, especially in AI and technology, to adapt your recruitment messaging and strategies accordingly, addressing the current job market realities.
• Leverage Employer Branding: Use your organization’s reputation for stability, innovation, and employee development to attract candidates from companies experiencing layoffs.

BlackRock Trims Workforce By an Additional 600 Jobs

Dennis Limmer reports on BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset management firm, announcing a reduction of around 600 jobs, approximately 3% of its workforce. This decision aligns with BlackRock’s strategy to reallocate resources in response to the evolving asset management landscape. Despite the layoffs, BlackRock expects a net increase in its workforce by the end of the year, focusing on growth areas, particularly in Europe and Asia, and emphasizing technological advancements. The firm’s strategic vision aims to solidify its position as a comprehensive solution for investors.

Strategic Workforce Adjustments in the Asset Management Sector

• Highlight Technology and Innovation: For recruitment in the asset management sector, emphasize roles and projects related to technology and innovation, aligning with the industry’s evolving focus.
• Focus on Growth Markets: In your recruitment strategies, highlight opportunities in expanding markets, such as Europe and Asia, to attract candidates interested in global finance and investment.
• Promote Comprehensive Financial Solutions: Showcase your firm’s range of services, from equity and bond funds to private asset strategies, appealing to professionals with diverse expertise in the financial sector.
• Leverage Stability and Scale: Use your organization’s stability and scale, especially if similar to BlackRock’s, to attract candidates looking for long-term career growth in a dynamic industry.
• Adapt to Industry Shifts: Stay attuned to changes in the asset management industry, such as the rise of ETFs, to tailor your recruitment messaging and attract candidates with relevant skills and interests.

Is generative AI an impending influence on jobs and productivity?

The article by ET Edge Insights delves into the transformative impact of generative AI (gen AI) on the workforce and the broader economy. A study conducted by Cognizant and Oxford Economics, “New Work, New World,” predicts that gen AI will significantly reshape jobs, productivity, and economic dynamics. It highlights that 52% of all jobs will undergo major changes due to AI integration, with a potential displacement of about 9% of the U.S. workforce. The study also points out that gen AI will affect knowledge-intensive roles like programming and graphic design and even impact C-suite executives.

A Game Changer in the Job Market and Productivity

• Prepare for AI Integration: Develop recruitment strategies that anticipate the integration of generative AI into various job roles, focusing on candidates’ adaptability and tech-savviness.
• Emphasize Continuous Learning: Highlight opportunities for continuous learning and skill development in your organization, especially in AI and related technologies, to attract forward-thinking professionals.
• Target Knowledge Workers: Focus on attracting knowledge workers in fields like computer programming and graphic design, who are adept at working alongside AI technologies.
• Promote AI Literacy: Encourage AI literacy and understanding in your recruitment messaging, emphasizing how your organization leverages AI for innovation and efficiency.
• Highlight AI’s Role in Strategic Decision-Making: For executive roles, stress the importance of gen AI in strategic decision-making and competitive analysis, appealing to candidates who can navigate the intersection of technology and business strategy.

Are jobs the solution to New York’s migrant crisis?

Hillary Chura’s article explores the potential of leveraging New York’s open job positions to help the significant number of migrants arriving in the city. Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams are implementing programs to match migrants with work opportunities, addressing both the city’s labor needs and the financial challenges posed by supporting the recent arrivals. Despite the eagerness of migrants to work, they face hurdles like bureaucratic processes, language barriers, and the lack of a domestic work history. The article also touches on the broader context of the U.S. immigration and job market, and the varying perspectives on employing migrants.

Insights for Talent Acquisition Professionals

• Promote Inclusive Hiring Practices: Emphasize your organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, specifically highlighting opportunities for migrants who are legally authorized to work.
• Facilitate Work Authorization Support: Collaborate with local authorities or non-profits to assist migrants in navigating the work authorization process, demonstrating your company’s supportive and inclusive culture.
• Offer Language and Cultural Integration Programs: Provide language training and cultural integration support to help migrants acclimate and perform effectively in their new roles.
• Recognize Diverse Backgrounds and Skills: Value the diverse experiences and skills migrants bring, and consider how these can be applied in various roles within your organization.
• Develop Training and Upskilling Initiatives: Implement training programs to help migrants with professional backgrounds, like healthcare or engineering, transition into relevant roles in your company.

Finding a remote job is getting harder, especially if you want a high-earning job

Bailey Schulz’s article in USA TODAY discusses the increasing challenges in finding remote work, particularly in high-paying roles. Despite the expectation that work-from-home arrangements are here to stay, data indicates a decrease in remote and hybrid job postings since the pandemic’s peak. This trend is more pronounced in high-paying positions, with a significant drop in six-figure hybrid and remote job postings. The article also explores how companies are increasingly preferring in-office presence, especially for higher-earning roles, due to collaboration and leadership needs.

The Evolving Landscape of Remote Work Opportunities

• Adapt to Changing Remote Work Trends: Acknowledge the evolving trends in remote work in your recruitment strategies. Highlight hybrid or flexible work options if available, to appeal to candidates seeking work-life balance.
• Emphasize Non-Monetary Benefits: For roles that cannot offer remote options, emphasize other benefits like career development, company culture, and work environment.
• Target Specific Talent Pools: Focus on specific talent pools that are more inclined towards in-office work, particularly for higher-paying roles that require collaboration and leadership.
• Leverage Technology for Recruitment: Use advanced recruitment technologies to streamline the hiring process, making it easier for candidates to apply and engage with your company, regardless of their location.
• Promote Company Culture and Values: Highlight your company’s culture and values to attract candidates who are looking for more than just a remote job, but also a fulfilling work environment and mission.

Recruiters Say Their Job Got a Little Easier in 2023

In Roy Maurer’s article, the focus is on the changing dynamics of the recruitment industry in 2023. According to Employ Inc.’s annual Recruiter Nation Survey, recruiters have observed an increase in applicant volume and a slight decrease in job-related stress compared to the previous year. The survey, which involved an analysis of data from over 21,000 Employ customers and 1,200 recruiters, indicates a shift towards more favorable conditions for employers, despite ongoing challenges like talent scarcity and high competition for qualified candidates. The article also highlights the growing interest in leveraging generative AI and automation technologies in talent acquisition.

Easing Challenges and Shifting Priorities for Recruitment Marketing

• Focus on Candidate Quality: Prioritize improving candidate quality, as recruiters indicated this as a top challenge. Tailor your recruitment strategies to attract not just more candidates, but the right candidates.
• Leverage AI and Automation: Consider investing in AI-driven technologies to enhance candidate flow and quality, and reduce friction in the hiring process.
• Enhance Recruitment Marketing and Employer Branding: Strengthen your recruitment marketing efforts to build relationships with potential candidates, ensuring your messaging targets the right audience at the right time.
• Optimize the Hiring Process: Work on streamlining the hiring process to improve speed and efficiency, ensuring a balance between thorough evaluation and timely decision-making.
• Invest in Recruitment Metrics and Analysis: Track metrics like quality of hire and source of hire by cost to better understand and improve your talent acquisition strategies. Focus on metrics that emphasize both quality and quantity to align with business goals.

AI-based tool helps governments recruit the right job candidates from a diverse pool

Michael Keating’s article discusses ThisWay Global, a company that has developed an AI-based Diversity Sourcing and Matching Engine to assist employers, including local governments, in connecting with a diverse range of applicants. The technology, designed to integrate with existing applicant tracking systems, streamlines the recruitment process by automating candidate matching and reducing manual workload. Angela Hood, CEO of ThisWay Global, highlights the tool’s ability to analyze both explicit and implicit factors in candidate profiles, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the hiring process. The article also touches on the importance of cultivating a mentorship culture and utilizing cooperative procurement contracts for efficient government recruitment.

AI in Recruitment: Enhancing Diversity and Streamlining Processes

• Leverage AI for Diverse Talent Acquisition: Utilize AI-based tools like ThisWay Global’s engine to access a broader, more diverse talent pool and ensure unbiased, skills-based candidate matching.
• Automate Candidate Matching: Implement AI technology to automate and streamline the recruitment process, improving efficiency and accuracy in candidate selection.
• Integrate Technology with Existing Systems: Ensure that new AI recruitment tools can seamlessly integrate with current applicant tracking systems to maintain workflow continuity.
• Focus on Mentorship and Development: Develop a culture of mentorship within your organization to prepare junior employees for future roles, addressing talent gaps effectively.
• Explore Cooperative Procurement Contracts: For government agencies, consider utilizing cooperative procurement contracts to streamline recruitment processes and access shared resources.

For a comprehensive list of talent acquisition and recruitment marketing tools to help with your hiring efforts, visit our marketplace now.

Rod Hess

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Rod Hess is a marketing mad man, but more Doc Brown than Don Draper. Rod is the Content Marketing Director for Talivity (formerly RecruitmentMarketing.com) and has been working in online marketing and advertising for over 15 years. He's been featured in publications like Forbes and Mashable. If you catch him tapping a pencil or bouncing his leg, it's because his brain never turns off. He's just dreaming up his latest AI scheme.