Upcoming Hiring Trends for 2023 | What To Expect In The New Year

What will the hiring trends for 2023 be? As we anticipate the new year, many job-seekers are wondering what’s on the horizon for the job market. Is your goal to make this your most productive season yet? It’s time to set a firm foundation now, but preparing can be half the challenge.

Sometimes, the race to find Career Success can feel more like a marathon than a sprint. The job market is often competitive, intense, and changing. Keeping pace can feel like an uphill climb.

As you search for the perfect position, the key to standing out is understanding what hiring managers want. You must learn how to help them see that you’re the perfect fit. Today, we’re taking a look at how 2022 shaped their perspectives, and what this means for you in the months ahead.

2022: A Year in Review

Before we dive into what you can expect in 2023, let’s take a step back.

The pandemic changed the landscape

In early 2021, a little over a year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw a shift. Experts named this the Great Resignation, the Big Quit, or the Great Reshuffle. This is an economic trend in which employees are voluntarily resigning from their jobs in staggering numbers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a report. Over the past year, the rate of job quitting has risen to numbers not yet seen in 22 years. That's since the agency first issued its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey” (JOLTS) program in 2000. In January 2011, JOLTS recorded a seasonally-adjusted quit rate of 2.4%. This level was matched over the years, but it was never exceeded... That is, until 2021.

In March of that year, the quit rate climbed to 2.5%. It kept climbing through November when it hit 3.0%. Now, it’s hovering around 2.6%.

When people left their jobs, the most common reasons they gave included…

• Wage stagnation with. the rising cost of living
• Hostile and unhealthy work environments
• Limited opportunities for growth and career advancements
• Lack of benefits
• Inflexible remote work policies
• General job dissatisfaction

Looking back on the year we’ve had

Even as the Great Resignation cools a little, this is a trend that shows no sign of slowing down. The demand for qualified, experienced professionals is still high. Especially as voluntary departures continue to occur.

In response to this movement, hiring trends have looked a little different this year. In 2022, hiring managers looked for unique and innovative ways to fill open positions. This included:

• Hiring for soft skills, and training later for job-specific competencies
• Creating unique and compelling employer experiences to attract candidates
• Strengthening their brand goals and visions to pique candidate interest
• Upskilling and re-skilling in-house employees to fill talent gaps
• Hiring remote workers to round out teams and accommodate new work-from-home expectations

Upcoming Hiring Trends for 2023

What about this upcoming year? Maybe you’re planning a total Career Change. Or maybe you're looking for something different in the field you’re currently in. Whatever the case, it’s important to know what’s up ahead.

It’s hard to believe, but in only a few months, it will be three years since we first heard of the COVID-19 pandemic. Will we continue to feel its effects even now? Which newly implemented techniques do we expect to stick around for the long term?

Here are some of the main hiring trends for 2023, and how you can get ahead by embracing these changes today.

Trend 1: Remote Work Is Here to Stay

When the pandemic first hit, workplaces worldwide had to react fast. To keep their veritable doors open, many shifted to a remote or hybrid work model. This allowed them to cut overhead and reduce expenses. This happened without sacrificing their service levels or laying off entire teams.

At first, it seemed to be a temporary solution, an experiment of sorts. No one could have anticipated that 2.5 years later, it would still be the norm. According to one report, 58% of American employees now have the option to work from home at least 1 day per week. Besides, 35% of employees can work from home all week if they prefer.

The most striking aspect of this statistic is that it’s comprehensive. Remote workers aren’t filling tech roles or call centers. They’re also working in jobs that were once deemed too physical to operate in the virtual realm.

For job-seekers, this opens a world of possibilities. Positions that might have seemed out of reach are now more attainable. Especially when managers are willing to consider a remote or hybrid work model.

Trend 2: Diversity and Inclusion at the Forefront

Companies are realizing more and more the importance of workplace culture. They want to create a positive and productive environment for all their employees. Satisfaction and morale will rise and quit rates will drop.

One of the top hiring trends for 2023 is a dedicated focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). HR managers are evolving interview formats from one-sided interrogations to open conversations.

Candidates aren’t getting grilled on their own talents and abilities anymore. They’re turning the tables. Asking employers hard questions about their own goals and responsibilities has become commonplace.

70% of job-seekers consider a company’s commitment to inclusion when looking. Companies are implementing programs and providing resources to expand DEIB initiatives.

You can also expect companies to expand on these efforts in their job descriptions. This way, prospective candidates will know exactly where they stand. Those early conversations will also be easier to navigate.

How can you tell a company is following DEIB hiring practices?

Employers are also looking for ways to even the playing field through the hiring process. Some of the steps they’re taking include:

• Using inclusive language when writing job descriptions
• Following accessibility standards on career websites
• Advertising on job boards dedicated to recruiting diverse talent
• Using a standardized job interview process for all candidates
• Forming diverse interview panels to reduce bias

Companies must be transparent and authentic in their efforts. If the company you’re eyeing isn’t up-front about its work in this space, don’t hesitate to ask the hiring manager!

Growth opportunities for minority groups

You should also take advantage of professional growth programs devoted to under-represented populations. Through Uvaro’s Impact Scholarship Fund we are looking to build toward a more equitable work environment in the tech sector for Women and Women of Color.

Trend 3: Hiring Future Leaders

In 2023, we expect hiring managers and HR teams to take a more future-focused perspective. With those jarring quit rates, they’re moving beyond filling short-term positions. Instead, they’re looking for candidates who have long-term leadership potential.

They know if they'll experience talent gaps in the future. Upskilling and re-skilling their existing employees is a smart way to retain talent.

Employees are looking for companies that invest in their professional growth. Expect to see more organizations offering opportunities for advanced training and continuing education.

Engagement and retention increase when employees feel valued and appreciated. Investing in a new hire’s upward mobility is a step in the right direction.

Trend 4: Leveraging Recruiting Software and Hiring Automation

Companies are embracing digital technologies at a quicker pace than ever before. This extends to their hiring practices. They are starting to use specialized recruiting software and automation tech. Often, this approach includes integrating digital methods into traditional hiring practices. Or establishing a flexible hybrid model that accommodates candidates.

These platforms help companies find and engage with qualified candidates efficiently. They also reduce the time, cost, and administrative burden associated with in-person interviews.

With automation software and digital tools, companies can:

• Identify, vet, and engage qualified candidates
• Perform video or digital interviews
• Deliver standardized candidate assessments
• Group candidates into categories based on shared characteristics
• Streamline and optimize the onboarding process

There’s a learning curve associated with these technologies. But they will soon become less of a nice-to-have feature and more of a common practice. Teams have become accustomed to and familiar with these resources. They are using them to increase efficiencies, lower costs, and speed up hiring tasks.

Trend 5: Prioritizing Employee Retention

With high turnover rates, companies are looking for ways to keep employees engaged. And to encourage new ones to come on board. If you’re looking for a job in this market, you can expect the hiring department to take a proactive approach.

Some of the strategies they’re employing to do so include:

• Giving meaningful bonuses to celebrate exceptional work
• Establishing programs to recognize employee accomplishments
• Creating systems that allow employees to share feedback without fear of reprimand 
• Energizing employees by offering relevant, meaningful work opportunities 
• Promoting a culture of continuous growth and development 
• Providing resources for employees to reduce stress and nurture their mental health

They’re also looking for candidates who share this sense of longevity. Expect them to ask you about your long-term career plans, and how the position you’re applying for fits into them.

Get ahead of hiring trends for 2023

If you're searching for a new job in 2023 or you want to grow into a leadership role within your current industry — you might need some backup!

Access the community, programs, and resources that can make the process as smooth as possible. Our team at Uvaro is here to help at every stage of your job search journey!

We offer Courses, Workshops, Coaching and so much more! We want to help you move beyond any hurdles you might be facing and achieve the Career Success you deserve. With proven faster and better career outcomes and lifelong support, it's never been a better time to be a Premium Member.

Download our Career Success Catalog to learn more and get started today!