Talent acquisition leaders face new pressures, new responsibilities, and new technology options. The competition for talent is getting more intense and companies are struggling to plan for the future. We launched our latest research on talent acquisition last month to better understand these priorities, technology investments, and buying behaviors. We are finally reaching a point where companies are thinking more strategically about the way they invest in technology and partner with providers.
Below are some key takeaways from the research:
- The Need for Greater Simplicity: The technology landscape in talent acquisition has become complex and confusing. And companies are not always confident if they are seeing any value from their technology decisions. According to our latest research, 50% of companies are investing in three or more ATS systems, over 60% of companies are investment in three or more sourcing solutions, and 70% are investing in three general job boards. That’s a lot. Companies need to make smarter decisions around the technology they are using and challenge providers to work as partners.
- The Candidate Experience is About Better Communication: The candidate experience is defining the future of talent acquisition. Yet, few companies understand what they can do to improve the candidate experience. Candidates, above all else, want communication and feedback on the process. Aptitude research shows that what candidates want most is to be notified if they are screened out (52%), information on the company culture (52%), and a single point of contact in the process (50%).
- Internal Mobility is a Priority: In order for talent acquisition to be successful, organizations must think about both internal and external talent. According to research Aptitude launched this month, over 70% of companies plan to increase their investment in solutions and strategies to support the process of moving talent from role to role. Internal mobility is a strategic priority for companies that want to improve the quality of hires and at the same time save costs. These companies recognize that in order for talent acquisition to align with business goals, internal talent can’t be ignored.
- AI is Still Misunderstood: According to Aptitude’s research, over 60% of companies are confused by AI. Additionally, many solution providers are misrepresenting themselves and their products, adding to the confusion and giving AI a negative reputation. As talent acquisition departments mature in their adoption of technology, the understanding of AI needs to change.
- Technology Must Be a Partnership: Companies are looking for partners that can support them post selection. Only 20% of companies are satisfied with their current recruitment providers. Companies are beginning to think about the right cultural fit, customer support and experience when they make technology decisions.
So, hopefully this gives you a glimpse into some of the findings from our latest research. We will be publishing new studies this summer on onboarding, candidate engagement, sourcing and updating our ATS Index report with a few new players.
