Today, we released the 2020 Hiring Benchmark Report, our third annual report based on a survey of 400+ hiring professionals. Every year, we survey hiring professionals across all industries and company sizes to learn how they attract, hire, and retain their teams. This year, the goal of the report remained the same, but the focus turned towards the unique circumstances of 2020.
This year has evolved into one of the most tumultuous years in recent memory, and the effects have been felt across every part of the business world. Those in HR, talent acquisition, and recruitment are no exception. The goal of the survey was to explore how hiring professionals are adapting to not only the stress of COVID-19 but also the need for greater diversity in the workplace, the pressures of remote work, and everything in between. The results may surprise you.
Here’s just a sneak peek of what you’ll find.
1. Nothing has shaped 2020 more than COVID-19.
As a result of the global pandemic, 69% said their organization transitioned to remote work in some capacity; 51% reduced hiring; 36% froze hiring, and 30% had to lay off or furlough employees.
2. Growth is slow but positive.
Overall, hiring professionals predict that their hiring volume will increase by 1.4% in the next 12 months, but this varied widely by industry. The Technology industry, for example, expected to hire 64% more people in the next 12 months.
3. Hiring is less challenging than it was before.
Across the board, hiring professionals feel that hiring isn’t as challenging as it was last year. 54% even said that COVID-19 has made it easier to hire remote employees.
4. Remote work has made a positive impression.
Of those organizations that did transition to remote work, 54% view remote work more positively now; 42% say their view is unchanged, and just 4% view remote work more negatively.
5. Diversity is a priority for most organizations.
34% of hiring professionals say that increasing diversity in the workplace is a “top priority.” 46% say it’s “somewhat of a priority” and just 22% say it’s “not a priority.”
6. Hiring professionals are overwhelmingly optimistic about the future.
Not only has hiring become less challenging, but hiring professionals have also become more confident in their hiring processes. And when looking towards 2021, the majority (66%) of hiring professionals feel positive about the future health of their organizations.
Download a copy of the report to see all the data and to benchmark your own organization’s state of hiring.
