The complexity of recruiting

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to delve into the fast changing world of recruitment and throw light on some key challenges, trends and emerging practices that will continue to shape the future character and complexion of the recruiting discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the authors over 20 years of professional experience in the talent space in both large corporate and professional services environment. It also draws from secondary research and review of available literature on the recruitment discipline.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights on the key drivers and determinants of recruiting success in the VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) times organizations find themselves in today. It delineates the challenges and the opportunity proposition for talent acquisition as a discipline, as it negotiates its way from a business process to a critical business partner for organizations at large.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on empirical research and secondary research of contemporary literature around the recruiting discipline.

Practical implications

The paper suggests implications for organizations to leverage the true value proposition of their recruiting function by embracing strategies and practices that elevate recruitment from a transactional, short-term focused activity to a strategic, integrated and long-term approach helping optimize their investments in people.

Originality/value

The paper provides seminal insights on the changing contours of the recruitment discipline and the implications for organizations at large in their quest to find the right talent to drive business success.

Citation

Sahay, P. (2015), "The complexity of recruiting", Strategic HR Review, Vol. 14 No. 5, pp. 182-187. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-04-2015-0034