The future of hiring: 5 recruitment trends that will define 2024

Are you ready for the future of recruitment? The 2024 Salary Guide survey results are in, and our experts have sifted through the data to bring you five key recruitment trends that will shape hiring over the next 12 months.

From employee well-being to outcome-focused DEI, we've uncovered what employers are doing to attract top talent and the key things workers want in an employer. Use these insights to make changes and increase your competitive edge in the war for talent.

Nearly three quarters of employers (69%) surveyed for the 2024 Salary Guide said they felt confident about their company’s growth prospects for 2024 compared to the previous 12 months. This tentative growth prediction has led 47% of employers to consider adding perm roles in 2024, with the biggest hiring push coming from the financial services sector.

Our data also shows a continued commitment to flexible hiring strategies to support core talent within the business. The majority of employers plan to maintain contract roles (43%), freelance (41%) roles, and project outsourcing (49%) in 2024.

Read: Robert Half 2024 Salary Guide

Workers have flagged limited opportunities as one of their five key concerns when assessing their employer’s ability to attract skilled talent in 2024. In the quest for meaningful work, they’re interested in developing their skills, rising in the ranks, and seeing how their contribution drives company success.

Our research shows that almost half (47%) of workers want tuition assistance or reimbursement as part of their benefits package so they can take charge of their own development. Yet only a quarter of employers currently offer this. Employers who commit to employee training and development — at the recruitment stage and beyond — are far more likely to attract and keep quality talent.

Read: Future of finance: how to excel in talent management

Only 27% of businesses are in a position to increase salaries in line with inflation, making unique perks and benefits crucial for talent acquisition. Hybrid working also demands a new set of perks and benefits to suit the change in environment.

Workers are requesting perks like flexible benefits programmes (57%) and stress reduction programmes (54%) as a priority. In terms of benefits, they're most interested in financial allowances for working from home (61%), meal vouchers (60%), and sabbaticals (58%). With salaries set to stay stable, unique benefits and an attractive employee value proposition could become the most effective way to win talent.

Poor work/life balance is one of the main concerns regarding attracting skilled talent in 2024 for both workers and employers. This has prompted a shift towards employee care and well-being. Employers are slowly coming around to the idea, with two-thirds (67%) offering mental health resources to employees and 38% offering stress reduction programmes.

Workers are pushing for more health-related perks, such as dental (62%), hospitalisation (59%), and outpatient insurance (57%). They're also interested in staying well through physical activity — almost half (48%) want their employer to offer gym memberships, and 47% want in-office physical activities. Employers willing to go further with employee care could quickly gain a competitive edge in the hiring market.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are integral to an employer's ability to attract talent. Over three-quarters (76%) of Millennial and Gen Z candidates say DEI policies are a crucial factor when assessing a potential job opportunity, and over a third have turned down employers that don't align with their values.

To tackle attitudes from the top down, 34% of finance employers have started involving workers in key management decisions to help diversify thought processes and help young change-makers have an impact. Employers can also introduce hiring practices that tackle unconscious biases, such as using AI to scan cover letters and CVs, providing shortlists based purely on relevant skills and expertise. Employers are also diversifying interview panels, so all candidates can see themselves represented.

Read more on best DEI practices.

Across all five insights, there's one clear trend — top talent will always be more attracted to employers who value them. By making meaningful strides in employee development and well-being, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive, you'll come out on top in the war for talent.

Get your copy of the Robert Half 2024 Salary Guide here or visit the advice blog for more recruiting trends and hiring insights from our experts.

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