One in six HR leaders are using virtual reality (VR) (15%) and nearly one in five (18%) are using other technologies such as AI to support their recruitment efforts.

While it is early days in the uptake of this innovative technology for recruitment, it is a step-change in using technology to attract the next generation of talent in an increasingly competitive market. 

New research from ECI Partners, the growth-focused private equity firm, reveals that newer forms of technology, such as AI and virtual reality (VR), are now being used by HR managers to support their recruitment and onboarding processes.

What other platforms are being utilised to recruit in the turbulent market?

Nearly half (45%) say they have used social media platforms to help support in the current hiring environment.

Given that 73 percent of millennials have found a job directly through social media, according to StandOut CV, it is clear this is a valuable platform for HR managers to reach a larger pool of talent in a cost-effective way.

The use of other forms of traditional technology in recruitment and onboarding processes is also evident, with nearly four in 10 (38%) managers using onboarding platforms, and over a third (35%) using both applicant tracking software and background check technology respectively. 

Stephen Roberts, Partner at ECI Partners, comments:

“Given the sheer level of competition in today’s recruitment market, it’s unsurprising that there is greater use of technology to support hiring efforts – particularly with more established technology like social media and onboarding platforms. In a competitive market, it is key that your technology gives you access to a wider talent pool, enables a streamlined and easy-to-manage interview and onboarding process, and continues through to how you can train and retain candidates once they join.

“The emergence of more cutting-edge technologies like VR and AI in recruitment is particularly interesting. HR managers clearly recognise the need to give themselves a competitive advantage in a crowded market and are using these to attract the next generation of talent. With one in six managers using VR, there’s scope for interviews and onboarding to be conducted in an entirely new and innovative way.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.