Why onboarding is broken and how HR can fix it

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When it comes to onboarding, too many organisations are stuck in the dark ages – and it’s costing them some of their top talent, according to new research. The processes we use to bring new hires into organisations aren’t working – they’re slow, outdated, inefficient and frustrating. This is the general picture that emerges from […]

Recruitment strategy: why temporary staff make businesses stronger

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Hiring temporary workers can help cover busy periods, keep your permanent team happy and improve your customer relationships – which is why it’s an ideal solution in a fast-moving business environment. According to the SIA Talent Study 2019, 30% of UK companies now hire temporary staff across all job levels, from managers to admin. This […]

Recruitment strategy: are we over-testing candidates?

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Traditional candidate testing methods can be onerous for prospects and employers alike, and favour a certain type of person over other, equally or more suitable candidates. New technology allows us to change all of this. We all want more data to drive our recruitment decisions. Information gathered through an assessment that provides a fully rounded […]

How blind recruitment can help employers avoid the ‘black hole’

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Getting rid of recruitment bias is essential if companies are truly serious about creating a diverse workforce. Is blind recruitment the answer to this pervasive problem? It’s not too much of a stretch to say that men have traditionally dominated careers in science. Even now, women make up less than a quarter of those working […]

Recruitment: five problems with competency-based interviewing and a few solutions

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It’s time to give traditional competency-based interviewing the sack. Here’s how to recruit better using more in-depth, conversational techniques. Most of us are familiar with competency-based interviewing, having either been on the receiving end of it as an interviewee, or as the person asking the questions. Questions like these are among the most common:   […]

AI for recruitment: can robots really offer HR teams complete bias-free hiring?

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While AI offers many possibilities for the HR sector, it is problematic when it comes to bias-free recruitment. Artificial intelligence (AI) is seemingly ubiquitous these days, with potential uses for it rearing their head in pretty much every business sector, and talent management is no exception. The latest development in this regard has been an […]

Recruitment: four common hiring mistakes and how to avoid them

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When hiring new candidates, employers need to carry out their due diligence checks – but there are a number of things that can go wrong. Here’s how to avoid them. Performing background checks on candidates is a crucial part of the hiring process for many employers. However, it can also be complex, especially when it […]

Pursuing talent: how existing employees can help you recruit

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Data will be at the heart of future recruitment decision making as organisations harness the powerful insights they hold on their databases. Every organisation regards talent acquisition and retention as vital to its success, get it right and the business could be on the right path for future growth, but get it wrong and the […]

Business benefits: what do employees really want?

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In an employee-led labour market, businesses carefully guard details of their benefits packages to maintain competitive advantage. But without a point of comparison, companies must look internally to discover what will entice and secure talented staff. Despite growth slowdown and Brexit fears, the UK labour market is more vibrant than ever. While this is good news for those looking for their […]

Technology to boost team blend and performance

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Advances in technology are enabling employers to select teams with a complementary blend of skills, experience and personality – vital when it comes to improving business performance. Research by Gallup shows that highly engaged business units achieve a 10% increase in customer metrics and a 20% increase in sales. But this balance can be difficult to achieve.  A poorly blended […]

The future of talent acquisition: traditional recruitment models are no longer enough

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Companies need to address outdated talent acquisition strategies and focus on training, automation, upskilling and nuturing existing talent. For decades, employers have followed the same, standard hiring processes: “I have a demand for X role – and I must find someone to fill that gap.” But this approach no longer works.  Organisations are being disrupted from every […]

HR trends 2019: the future of hiring and recruitment

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Developments in technology and changes in how we view employee management are transforming the HR industry, with an emphasis on talent acquisition, retention and improving workplace culture.  With reporting and recruiting software, employee data, and social media at our fingertips, HR departments have a world of possibilities to explore. While these developments are already in full […]

How can HR handle demand for cyber security jobs in 2019?

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As global threats increase, cyber security experts are highly sought after. HR professionals need to find new ways to attract, retain and develop talent in this relatively new and competitive market. The year 2018 will be remembered by many as the year that organisations grappled with a smorgasbord of cybersecurity and data-related challenges. From the introduction of GDPR […]

IR35 legislation: what HR teams needs to know

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IR35 is coming to the private sector, and from April 2020 will change the face of contracting as we know it. This legislation has the potential to disrupt how contractors are used if firms fail to prepare adequately. Tax legislation IR35 was announced in a slightly different capacity than was expected, with small firms exempt for now, […]

The recruitment evolution: five predictions for 2019

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How will the recruitment industry evolve as AI and other transformative technologies continue to develop in 2019? Throughout 2018 the recruitment industry has found itself in the midst of a struggle between those who still swear by the traditional tried-and-tested hiring process and the early tech adopters who have started to weave data analytics and AI-based […]

How to combat the looming UK staffing crisis

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The UK faces a staffing crisis and as companies continue to make common mistakes in recruitment, it’s time to consider what can be done to attract new people and retain current employees. Multiple sectors across the UK are facing staffing crises, which are anticipated to heighten post-Brexit. The hospitality industry for example, which is the fourth […]

How to solve the diversity crisis in local government leadership

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There is a leadership gulf in local government when it comes to BAME representation – a problem caused by institutions and society as a whole. If there were more role models then individuals would be empowered to reach outside their perceived boundaries.  In October, the Prime Minister announced that public services, including the NHS, armed forces, schools and the police force will […]

How recruitment can adapt to turbulent times

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Historically low rates of unemployment and growing global economic uncertainty are making life harder for recruiters. Candidates can be more selective about the jobs they take but they are also less likely to take any significant risks.  Recruitment is rarely a straightforward task. Even filling temporary, unskilled positions requires perusing CVs, holding interviews, assessing attitudes and whittling down […]

The selection process: algorithmic bias or bias against algorithms?

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The use of algorithms to select candidates, or indeed any kind of pre-defined criteria, has its limitations in the world of recruitment. So, can there ever be a definitive way to review applicants efficiently and fairly?  Amazon Gender-Diversity Fail Shows Limits of Tech read the headline from Reuters on October 10. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? The dangers posed by AI is […]