Hiring & Job Search Outlook Report: 2024 Workforce Trends

Candidates’ New Year’s Resolutions

What’s on candidates’ lists of New Year’s resolutions? 15.8% of respondents plan to make a dramatic career change or switch to a new industry, and 12.7% want to search for a second job. Surprisingly, just 10.4% plan to use AI to help in their job search (for example, leveraging ChatGPT to write a resume or cover letter) despite the proliferation of these time-saving tools.

Fewer than 10% of job seekers are expecting to seek a promotion or ask for a raise, yet 42.7% value growth and advancement opportunities in their next job, as professional development remains a rising workforce trend.

Job Seeker Challenges & Concerns

Although we saw pockets of layoffs and hiring freezes in some industries in 2023, it’s unclear whether the 2024 job market will remain strong. However, just 14.7% of respondents were worried about layoffs, and 30% were nervous about a recession. Their biggest concern? Ageism in their job searches or day-to-day work (42.0%). Unfortunately, age discrimination may likely be one of the top 2024 job search trends, given today’s multigenerational workforce.

How to Hire in 2024

With these recruiting trends for 2024 in mind, consider the following tips and hiring insights for optimizing talent acquisition in the new year.

1. Zero in on the employee experience. A positive work environment, good relationships with managers, and appealing company cultures topped candidates’ wish lists for their new jobs. These elements impact the employee experience, job satisfaction, staff engagement, and your ability to recruit. Be intentional about building your culture and nurturing relationships rooted in trust and transparency to draw in top talent that stays with your organization.

2. Embrace candidates of all ages. 42.0% of job seekers were concerned with experiencing age discrimination in 2024. Expand your talent pool in 2024 by embracing candidates of all ages, including “unretirees.” Make age inclusivity part of your DEIB strategy, offer upskilling/reskilling opportunities for older workers, and apply for age-friendly employer certifications.

3. Enable flexibility. 42.1% of candidates surveyed plan to spend most of 2024 working in person, and 43.4% plan to work either remotely or in a hybrid setting. At the same time, 31.9% of job seekers said it was important for their next employer to provide remote work options, and 24.1% said the same about hybrid work. Allow employees to choose where and how they work to improve recruitment and retention.

4. Engage all candidates. Getting ghosted by employers when applying for jobs was candidates’ second biggest concern going into 2024. Put an end to the resume “black hole” this year by communicating with all applicants. You’ll show job seekers you value their time, which improves the candidate experience and boosts your employer brand.

5. Invest in professional development. 42.7% of respondents said it was vital for their next employer to offer growth and advancement opportunities, and 37.5% said the same about professional development opportunities. Provide upskilling and reskilling avenues for your existing staff (e.g., cross-training, cross-department collaboration, mentorships, and training on specific new tools and technologies). Map out their potential career paths and share what’s needed to reach their goals.

   Get more tips in the full report!