The Talent Leaders Summit 2023, orchestrated by TALiNT Partners, unfolded as a pivotal gathering of leaders from the talent acquisition ecosystem. Adam Hawkins, Head of Sales – Search & Staffing at LinkedIn, delivered a keynote address that not only celebrated LinkedIn’s monumental milestone of 1 billion members but also dissected the transformative trends influencing the UK labour market.
Adam Hawkins commenced his presentation with a momentous announcement – LinkedIn had achieved a staggering 1 billion members. This landmark accomplishment underscored the platform’s influential role as an indispensable tool within the talent acquisition sphere and positions the networking well to predict the hottest trends of 2023, 2024 and beyond.
Skills first approach
The spotlight is firmly on skills as a primary hiring criterion. Recruiters are increasingly prioritising skills over traditional metrics, such as years of experience.
Uniting generations
Workforces are diversifying across generations. Adam highlighted the distinct approaches of Gen Z, emphasising their transient work preferences, penchant for side hustles, and distinct values in employer relationships.
Sustainability, technology, and DE&I
Organisations are elevating the significance of sustainability, technology, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in their talent strategies. Candidates scrutinise employers for alignment with their values.
Modern work
The surge in remote and hybrid work models is reshaping the employment landscape. Organisations grapple with finding the optimal balance between remote and in-person collaboration.
Evolving job market dynamics
Adam shed light on the shifting dynamics within the job market:
– Geographical and Industry-related Hiring Upticks
– Certain industries and geographical locations are witnessing a surge in hiring activity.
– Employee Value Propositions (EVPs)
– Job seekers scrutinise organisations based on their EVPs, demanding alignment with their values and preferences.
Remote and hybrid work: Striking the right balance
The rise of remote and hybrid work models prompted a discussion on productivity and the human connection which has led to productivity paranoia.
Concerns about remote work productivity, stemming from trust issues, prompted Hawkins to advocate for focusing on managing output rather than tasks.
Human connection
While remote work offers benefits, Adam spoke to the continued importance of human connection. Organisations are exploring strategies to enhance social connections and foster collaborative work environments.
The HR leader’s new role: Addressing the human energy crisis
The role of HR has evolved and HR leaders as seen as agile career developers, with specific mention of the following factors LinkedIn research has revealed in the current market:
Agile career development
HR leaders are adapting to new roles, including caregiver, mental health support, AI change agent, and hybrid work manager.
Talent and engagement as priorities
The focus has shifted from talent acquisition alone to making talent and engagement top priorities.
Addressing burnout
In the current human energy crisis, organisations must prioritise employee well-being and offer support to combat burnout.
Inclusive workforce strategies
Adam underscored the need for inclusive workforce strategies, including:
Bringing back the Over 55s
Companies should implement strategies to reintegrate the over 55s into the workforce, considering structures such as grandparental leave and flexible contract work.
Generative AI
AI, often a source of anxiety, holds the potential for “quality gains.” Adam highlighted AI’s capacity to streamline mundane tasks, allowing recruiters to focus on the human touch and persuasive elements of candidate engagement.
Skills-first approach to hiring
According to Adam, organisations are being urged to adopt a skills-first approach, in recognition of the evolving nature of skills required for jobs. Soft skills are gaining prominence, making the mapping of current and future skills data crucial for staff retention and internal mobility.
Looking ahead: The human and machine collaboration
In concluding remarks, Adam addressed the white-collar revolution propelled by AI:
AI and human collaboration
The narrative is not one of human versus machine but of human and machine working in tandem. AI should be seen as a tool that enhances the human aspect of human resources.
Adaptive educational curriculum
Adam believes that as AI becomes normalised in recruitment processes, there is a pressing need for adaptive educational curricula to ensure the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills for the evolving job market.
In essence, Adam Hawkins illuminated the dynamic and transformative landscape of talent acquisition in 2023. As organisations navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by these trends, the key takeaway is clear: the future of talent acquisition lies in embracing change, fostering inclusivity, and striking the right balance between technology and the human touch.
