3 Global Staffing Trends to Tune Into in 2019

3 Global Staffing Trends to Tune Into in 2019 What’s top of mind for recruiting pros in 2019 and what topics are trending in the global staffing industry this year? Bullhorn sought to find the answers to these questions. We surveyed more than 2,000 staffing leaders worldwide for their thoughts on the industry and the trends that are impacting it as part of our Global Recruitment Insights and Data (GRID) research. Here’s a look at 3 trends influencing the state of staffing in 2019. I Got Skills… They’re Multiplying Finding enough qualified candidates is a perpetual staffing challenge. Talent shortages persist and they don’t seem to be getting any better. In fact, more than half of respondents (55 percent) said they’re worse now than they were five years ago. Unemployment is at historically low rates, too, making it increasingly difficult to find qualified workers. It’s a candidate-driven market, after all. And because of advancements in technology, many workers are stuck with skill sets that are often outdated or irrelevant for jobs in the modern world. These may feel like insurmountable challenges, but reskilling can help. Reskilling workers â€" the process of helping people to improve or update their skills through training and education â€" is a huge opportunity for the staffing industry. And respondents agree: 74 percent said reskilling candidates is an effective way to address talent shortages. Yet only 5 percent say it’s one of their top priorities for the year ahead. Getting started with reskilling may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. One place to start: find one underdeveloped skill your candidates share and offer a training resource to address that particular skill. No Ordinary World As technology proliferates, so too does the globalization of business. Companies can now source talent beyond their backyards and get the very best candidates for a job, regardless of where they live. Candidates, on the other hand, can find meaningful work with many more employers since proximity to a job location isn’t as much of an issue as it once was with many jobs. Amidst talent shortages, the globalization of business seems like a win for employers â€" more qualified candidates! But given how much choice candidates now have, it may seem like a loss â€" more viable job options! What’s more, many companies are not only sourcing talent from other countries. They’re also setting up shop in different locations to expand their international footprint. How are staffing pros viewing the globalization of business? Opportunity or obstacle? Most respondents are decidedly optimistic: 66 percent said they view the globalization of business as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Hello… Is It Me You’re Looking For? In today’s world, people search for jobs differently than they used to and the types of jobs they’re willing to take are different, too. Many people look for more flexible options when it comes to where, when, and how they work. Some seek to diversify the work they do and don’t want to be beholden to one single employer. Others make ends meet by taking on a variety of assignments while they look for full-time work. Contract or temporary work isn’t new to the staffing industry. But what is relatively new is the emergence of online talent platforms â€" self-service sites that connect employers and job-seekers on-demand. Depending on how you choose to view them, online talent platforms could pose a threat or present an opportunity to the staffing industry. And it seems the industry at-large hasn’t quite figured out how to view online talent platforms just yet. Most respondents (60 percent) couldn’t say for sure whether such platforms were making it easier or harder to recruit for sought-after roles. Yet 26 percent believe they’re making things easier. Whether you choose to view them as the peanut butter to your jelly or the cashew to your tree nut allergy, online talent platforms are here to stay and savvy recruiters will need to keep an eye on them in the year ahead. While the labor market continues to tighten, staffing industry leaders believe 2019 will be a good year for their businesses. View the infographic below for more on the global staffing industry’s outlook for 2019. About the author:  Katie Tierney is Bullhorn’s Content Marketing Director. She leads global content marketing and social media strategy for Bullhorn. Before joining Bullhorn in 2016, Katie spent nearly 10 years with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and served as Virgin Pulse’s Director of Marketing (Content Communications). One of its original employees, Katie helped to take the company from  start-up  through its $92MM investment. Katie earned both her Bachelor’s and MBA degrees from Northeastern University.