In 2020 and early 2021, techno-optimists saw new winds of change blowing. Capital and talent poured into autonomous vehicles, pizza-making robots, and other frothy promises that would boost productivity and change jobs.
Advances in AI have made these technologies possible. But their adoption has been uneven. And some occupations have declined, while others have grown or changed.
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Recruiting for the Future
Recruiting for software engineers will continue to evolve. Hiring methods will likely become more focused on employee experience, and companies must be prepared for a world where face-to-face meetings are less often possible. This will require a more sophisticated approach to candidate sourcing and talent acquisition, including simplified screening processes, candidate relationship management systems, and AI tools that surface top candidates.
Historically, recruiting software engineers has relied on finding the best talent within commuting distance or willing to relocate to an area. This has created a concentration of highly talented people in certain areas. It’s also led to an imbalance in the tech workforce, with women and minorities making up a smaller percentage of the technology sector than they should be.
Remote workers tend to work more productively and have a better work-life balance. They’re not lugging their heavy laptops into their cars and don’t have to deal with the stress of long commutes. Several studies have found that long-distance commuters suffer from psychosomatic ailments ranging from headaches and backaches to high blood pressure and festering grudges against the person who cut them off on the freeway.
Some tech firms are introducing full-time remote work as an option to lure the most qualified people. This will significantly impact the future of IT as more people opt to work from home, and many companies shift toward fully remote work practices.
Recruiting in the Age of AI and Automation
While coding automation and AI are on the horizon, it will take time before software developers can completely replace human recruiters. Until then, recruiters need to understand and leverage the best of what technology offers.
One of the most obvious benefits of hiring remote software engineers is that it allows companies to reach a much larger talent pool. This allows recruiting managers to find candidates that may have yet to be considered due to geography.
Another benefit is that remote work saves employees money on commuting and other expenses. This can significantly impact the bottom line, especially for larger companies. It also helps reduce employee churn, as employees dissatisfied with their current company can leave and find a new role elsewhere.
In addition to saving time and money, remote software engineer recruiters can help companies eliminate many inefficiencies that would be costly for a traditional office environment. For example, hiring a remote software engineer can reduce the need for training new hires or unnecessary travel.
Finally, hiring remote software engineers can save on rent, utilities, and other overhead costs incurred in a typical office setting. This can help a company stay competitive in the market and attract and retain top talent.
The Great Resignation
There’s a new resignation in the news every week. A promising new hire gives their notice, or an old colleague moves on to greener pastures. But why are people leaving? This phenomenon, the great reshuffle, has shaken up the job market. Experts believe the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed employees to demand more control over their work.
Likely, the great resignation started long before the pandemic hit. In turn, employers adapted to these demands and offered flexible work options, such as remote or hybrid working.
People’s priorities play a significant role in their decision to leave. For example, older employees may have used the pandemic as an opportunity to retire early and protect their health. On the other hand, younger employees may have seen stories and images of covid’s menacing effects and decided to live life to the fullest.
As the great resignation continues, recruiters need to consider how they attract and retain top talent. They should be aware that the shift in worker demands will continue after the pandemic and that employees want to work with companies that offer a good workplace culture and a competitive employee benefits package.
Managing the Software Engineer Lifecycle
As technology evolves and remote work becomes more common, recruiters must keep their fingers on the pulse of what software engineers seek in a role and an environment. This allows them to adapt and continue to find the best candidates for their clients.
Traditionally, hiring for software engineering roles has focused on finding the best talent within commuting distance of your business or willing to relocate. This has led to clusters of skilled workers in specific areas and can sometimes leave you with a shortage of top-tier software engineers.
But now, software engineers can work from anywhere worldwide thanks to technology. This means you can tap into a global pool of talent that might have otherwise been inaccessible to your company.
In addition, software engineers who work remotely are often happier and more productive than those who don’t. This is mainly because working from home eliminates distractions and allows them to focus on efficiently getting the job done. Plus, with flexible hours, they can optimize their work schedule to be as productive as possible and still be able to meet deadlines.
