What will companies do to attract new workers?

The power dynamic in the job market was upended almost instantly in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic hit countries around the globe in March and April. Now, vaccines and other public health measures are beginning to beat back the virus in some parts of the world. As a result, hiring is rebounding and businesses are looking to ramp up operations.

An increase in hiring is obviously good news for job seekers. Hiring means there are more jobs available and it also increases competition among employers. The conditions result in power shifting back to job seekers and — hopefully — companies offering better pay, benefits and experiences.

Better hiring processes

One interesting tactic that recently caught my attention is a new approach to hiring from Amazon, which is currently trying to hire more than 10,000 software engineers in the U.S.?

For context, hiring engineers has always been competitive and actually increased during the pandemic. Data from LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise show hiring for these roles increased 25% between 2019 and 2020.

Amazon hopes to attract this sought-after talent by overhauling the hiring process to let candidates pick their positions.

“It's an attractive proposition for candidates, and that in itself is good for Amazon,” said Alfonso Palacios, who is vice president of recruiting at Amazon.

Best Fit, which is the name of the program, asks candidates to apply only once to be considered for the various engineering positions. The applicants then share their working preferences, take online assessments and partake in interviews for Amazon. Once they get through those steps, the candidates are then matched with several roles and meet with the hiring managers. Ultimately, the applicants are the ones who get to decide which roles they accept.

“This is going to help place them in a place where they're gonna be able to grow, develop and succeed,” said Palacios. “And that's definitely something that we also get from it. But primarily, this is a value for candidates and that's good for Amazon and for Amazon customers.”

Money isn’t everything

In addition to offering an easier application and hiring process, some companies are thinking beyond pay to attract new talent.

For example, one of the big bargaining chips companies will be able to play as the pandemic wanes is how people work.

Many people have enjoyed being able to work from home during the pandemic. Some have been able to build greater bonds with their families and others have just enjoyed a better work-life balance. If two competing jobs offer similar pay and benefits, being able to work from home an extra day may tip the proverbial scale in one direction.

“I believe empowerment and trust coupled with [some] flexibility is going to go a long way in the future,” wrote Alecia Tolver, who is a project manager. “A company that trusts people to manage their schedules appropriately and empower them to make the best decisions within their roles and responsibilities will see better retention.”

Some companies may go even further as they reevaluate their processes and look toward a shorter workweek. The move aligns with growing calls during the pandemic to create greater distance between work and personal lives.?

“Primarily, we are finding success by offering a 4 day work week, leading to a solid work-life balance,” wrote Heather Merritt, who is a human resource professional.

People need to see everything

While streamlined hiring processes and flexible work schedules are two tactics we’ll likely see an increasing number of companies use to attract talent, many people told me accepting a role really depends on the whole package.

In addition to the two items listed above, LinkedIn members said pay and benefits are obviously still important. Also, a company’s culture matters along with its mission. People are also paying increased attention to diversity, career support and more.

“I remember the first time I went to Baskin-Robbins and had a chance to select 31 flavours of ice cream,” wrote Rob Kim, who is a career educator. “It was pretty hard to go back to a world where my choices were only chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.”

What innovative approaches are you seeing companies use to attract talent? Join the conversation.

? Want even more #GetHired?

I go live every Friday at 12:00 p.m. ET from the LinkedIn News page to discuss important issues affecting job seekers and to answer your questions about looking for work. I spoke with Sonal Bahl, who is a career strategist and HR expert, on the most recent episode. You can watch it below or by clicking here.

Coming up…

How do companies create inclusive teams and environments? We’ll be talking with WERKIN CEO Hayley Sudbury on the next episode of #GetHired Live. The conversation will touch on all aspects of creating an environment at work where everyone can thrive. Of course, we’ll also answer your job search and career questions. You can receive a notification when we go live on Friday, May 7 at noon ET by clicking “Remind Me” on this link or the link below.

? The follow-up

The job market has improved a lot since last year when the Class of 2020 graduated into one of the worst economic downturns in modern history. While the Class of 2021 still faces challenges in the job market, LinkedIn’s 2021 Grad’s Guide to Getting Hired suggests there are also many opportunities waiting for graduates. LinkedIn members also see bright futures for new graduates and offered advice in the last issue of #GetHired. They suggest an understanding that uncertainty is normal. Also, it’s important to connect with people and build relationships. Lastly, people need to ask for help when needed. Here’s what people are saying about the advice.

? Other news to help you #GetHired:

How can you get the pay you need and deserve? Sitting down to negotiate a starting salary or wage can be intimidating, but some simple preparation can help people overcome their biggest concerns. Sonal Bahl, who is a career strategist and HR expert, said on the last #GetHired Live that the first step is for people to understand their own negotiation style. They should also realize that most of their fears about the negotiation are unfounded. Lastly, she said they should do their research to figure out their market value and learn the least amount they can accept. Also, they should understand what their take-home pay will be and remember why they deserve the salary they requested. Here’s what people are saying about the advice.

A rite of passage reborn. Summer jobs are a hallmark of many teenage years, but the pandemic put that out of reach for many in 2020. Teens are rebounding in the workforce, however. The share of U.S. teens (16 to 19 years) in the workforce hasn’t been this high since 2008. Also, The New York Times reports that they may find some better pay this year as many employers in the service industry struggle to find talent. Here’s what people are saying about the trend.

? Learn before you go:

Many — and probably most —?interviews are still being conducted over video even as people in a few countries head back to offices. In this LinkedIn Learning course, Jenny Foss, who is a job search strategist,?breaks down what you need to know about succeeding in video interviews. You can check out the course below or by clicking here.

? Up next:

I’ll be chatting with?Tejal Wagadia, who is a recruiter and a?2020 LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Searches and Careers, in the next edition of #GetHired to learn how recruiters dissect resumes. You won’t want to miss it!