5 reasons why you should recruit Sherlock-style in 2016

Thursday January 21, 2016 , 3 min Read

Few parts of the business world are evolving as rapidly as recruitment. You might not spot it easily, but drop into any HR conference and you will see talent leaders and recruiters furiously exchanging notes on predictive hiring, social recruiting, talent branding - topics that didn’t exist as even buzzwords five years ago.

The Internet, today, has become the modern recruiter’s playground. And his most important ally? His ability to marry complex seams of data to identify the right people for the right job at the right time. Much like the modern Sherlock Holmes. Think about it: the ability to make data-driven decisions, or anticipate situations and prepare for them, and adapt to technology of trends of the current times. These are all traits of that classic character that could very well apply to our modern recruiters.

So as we step into 2016, we outline five key factors that we believe will shape modern recruitment this year. We combed through some of the most important hiring reports, trends and news stories of the past year to arrive at these conclusions. But as you’ll see, they aren’t all that different from what drives the success and ambition of our world’s foremost consulting detective.

Quality of hire emerges as king of metrics

Sherlock doesn’t go after missing cats. He picks cases that are challenging and cause real impact.

39% recruiters stress that quality of hire will be the king of all metrics this year. Hiring people who will help you build your competitive advantage will be critical.

Employer brand gains believers

Watson, an active blogger, and the press ensure that Sherlock’s brand stays strong and visible.

Google lives as proof of the importance of branding, receiving three million applications a year for 7,000 positions. 59% companies are going to invest in employer brand, a deciding factor for candidates who are evaluating an offer.

Be where you need to be

Sherlock doesn’t operate out of Crete or Venezuela. He is at London, the epicentre of art, culture, commerce, a city the world is attentive of.

94% employers use LinkedIn to recruit, while only 40% candidates use it to find jobs vs. 67% using Facebook.

Hiring has already gone social. This year, companies plan to invest in identifying networks frequented by the people they want, building their brand there**.

Companies will hire to retain

Sherlock has had Watson for 129 years - a solid example for retaining your best.

45% are satisfied with their jobs, but are open to new opportunites.

50% of employees look at their current job as placeholders. In India, 88% companies are looking to hire.

Hiring candidates with high fitment will become vital to reduce turnover.

Hiring goes mobile

The modern Sherlock is hyper-connected, be it through his smartphone or network of tramps.

With good reason, 42% job seekers use their smartphones to look for jobs. Recruiters are leveraging mobile groups, networks and devices to stay connected, as candidates sure are.