HR trends 2024: Turning trends into gold

Happy new year! This edition of WorkBeat is all about 2024 and what it will bring. What skills are in demand? Which fields are generating new opportunities? And how do you attract the right people for the job? Well, we’ve got you covered. More still, you’ll learn about the secrets of success in the labor markets of Southern Europe. And to top it all off, we have a very special guest opinion. New year, let’s go!

In our latest trends article, we are uncovering the HR trends 2024 will bring!

1. Tech and automation: AI and automation are likely to be freeing recruiters for more human-centric activities.
2. International recruitment: Employers will broaden their talent search beyond borders and degrees, redefining diversity, and skill-driven recruitment.
3. Skills-based hiring and lifelong learning are still on the rise: Eliminating degree requirements broadens talent pools, shifting the focus to skills.
4. We also expect a transformative impact of ChatGPT on the hiring process as candidates increasingly engage with this disruptive technology.
5. Employee experience will continue to play a significant role.
6. DEIB: DEI initiatives now focus on belonging, the new fourth pillar.
7. Age-diverse workforce: HR professionals are placing an increased emphasis on fostering an age-friendly work environment in order to enhance cohesion within multigenerational teams.

Curious about our expectations for the upcoming year of recruitment and the job market? Download our brand-new report below and find out how to approach 2024! ?

Dust off your economic compass and set it to the South! In our latest labor market escapade, economist extraordinaire Julius Probst delves into Southern Europe's post-pandemic renaissance. Brace yourselves for a surprising twist in the Eurozone, as Italy, Spain, and France emerge as potential growth engines. Julius decodes the numbers, revealing how these sunny economies have not only weathered the storm but are now flourishing, creating a sea of job opportunities.

Let’s explore the labor market’s public and private sectors, take a scenic detour through the tourism industry, and unveil what this economic tango means for recruiters in both the cool North and the hot South. Read on here .

Artificial intelligence is becoming the norm, reshaping how we work. Insights from The Stepstone Group's data reveal that the demand for AI skills increased well before the release of ChatGPT, and it continues to remain high. Can you guess what else is soaring to new heights? Soft skills! And this is no contradiction. So, it's no longer an AI vs. humans kind of story — soft skills are the silent heroes. In 2023, companies are fervently seeking them; the demand has almost tripled since 2019. The insight? AI skills and soft skills are on a tandem ascent. Companies recognize that success requires a blend of both. Consistent with this, recruiters stated in one of our 2021 studies that they anticipate a significant increase in the importance of soft skills for the perfect job match. Sounds interesting?

Read our latest article on this topic for the full view.

If you ask recruiters what’s one of their most painful, recurring tasks, the answer is often: writing job adverts. It takes them a lot of time to write attractive ads because they have to get to grips with every single job they advertise – and often don't have the necessary insights.

We believe it's very important to connect with people as quickly and easily as possible – so recruiters should have access to lots of help and information.

In our new applicant tracking system (ATS) “Stepstone Recruit”, we're launching our AI-powered job ad creation feature.

With a wealth of insights from analyzing 20 million real job ads, we've created a unique experience. Recruiters can expect a personalized job ad based on their chosen experience level, skills, tasks, and benefits. And each written element offers numerous alternative wordings for effortless customization.

So, my advice to recruiters is therefore to use the potential of AI to intuitively and quickly create job adverts that even match their employer's preferred tone of voice: whether it’s formal, neutral or informal, our job ad generator helps you to create job adverts that meet your individual requirements in just a matter of minutes – give it a try!

Andre Grabowski is Senior Product Owner (Job Ad Creation & AI) at The Stepstone Group.

Happy new year! I wish you all a year full of success, growth, and fulfillment for 2024. I am confident that this year brings great opportunities, making us reach new heights.

Amidst the chaos and ever-changing dynamics of our world in the past year, I recall a powerful quote by Marcus Aurelius:

“Over time, our souls get dyed with our thoughts.”

It reminds us of the power our mindset has in creating our reality. Our thoughts and attitudes influence our own well-being, but also strongly impact our joint success. Let’s all strive for a positive frame of mind so we can approach the future with confidence, resilience, and a supportive and thriving work environment.

Looking ahead at 2024, I am certain that it will be a year guided even more by AI than the year before. It will determine our working world by making us move from a stage of experimentation to a stage of scale. For instance, it gives us the chance to exchange repetitive and mundane tasks for more creative and strategic work, while also paying attention to interpersonal relationships. At the same it is crucial that we use AI ethically. Because one thing is for sure: AI will be here to stay – the opportunities are limitless.

If we embrace those changes and remain adaptable, we will shape tomorrow's economy for the better. AI makes us more productive, and so does a positive outlook. In the spirit of Marcus Aurelius’ quote, I now encourage all of you to paint your thoughts with optimism. Let hope, collaboration, and a firm belief in our potential guide us. These are more than just words. They are the foundation of the resilient and innovative culture we are building together.

Sebastian Dettmers is the CEO of The Stepstone Group, one of the world's leading job platforms with a portfolio of more than 20 brands and businesses across more than 30 countries around the globe.