It’s safe to say that recruitment strategies and trends have dramatically changed over the past few years. Numerous factors, the largest one of which is the COVID-19 pandemic, have had a significant impact on the field of talent acquisition. 

 

With an almost overnight shift in work policies due to various emergency regulations being enforced, companies have experienced rapid changes in employee attrition and retention. This has led many organisations to scramble to develop new recruitment plans and rethink their current policies. 

 

Some of the industries to have experienced a change in their recruitment trends are construction and building service engineering. Since the field is quite technical and requires experienced staff, the industry had to rethink its current hiring techniques in order to gain and retain the best talent. So, what exactly are the latest hiring practices? Here are some of the top recruitment trends to watch out for in 2022. 

Increase In Job Specificity

Hiring the right talent can be difficult if the job description is unclear. Although you may need to fill a particular position, employers need to be mindful of all the nitty-gritty details that the job may require. 

 

Employers must keep in mind the hierarchies, experiences, and specialisations within the industry during recruitment. For example, if there is an opening for a building services engineer for elevator services in a building, there are numerous factors to consider other than their mechanical engineering degree. 

 

The type of elevators being placed, whether the company aims towards using energy-efficient systems to power the elevators, and different construction-related specificities must be kept in mind when hiring a building service engineer for that particular purpose. It will save resources and time if the new hire has experience or knowledge of the installation and maintenance of elevators, compared to a mechanical engineer with a great resume but one that does not match the job requirements. 

Remote Recruitment

One of the most influential trends to have hit the industry is remote recruitment. Since virtual work has proven efficient for numerous companies, the same strategy can also be applied for remote recruitment. 

 

This allows companies to look for talent outside of their geographic restrictions as well and hire international talent that could prove to be a game-changer in the field. In addition, completing the initial recruitment processes and filtering potential employees can be much more efficient, cost-effective, and quick if done remotely. 

Internal Hiring Is On The Rise

Since the beginning of Covid, there has been an increase in internal mobility in companies. In 2020, LinkedIn reported a 20% increase in internal hiring. Furthermore, according to the same report, internal hiring makes up the most considerable portion of all hires for that year. 

 

Internal hires provide more stability to the company and improve employee retention rates. It is much easier for the company to promote their own employee, for example, a trainee building services engineer being promoted to a more senior role than to hire a new employee for this position.    

More Diversity, Inclusivity, And Equity

Diversity, inclusivity, and equity have been recognised as crucial traits in having a well-balanced workforce. These traits help improve productivity and retention in a company and are often considered essential factors for individuals looking to join an organisation. 

 

Although building service engineering companies are usually more inclined towards picking out individuals with the required skills and education, the industry is now trying to be more inclusive and diverse. 

Higher Demand For Employees Well-Versed In AI Technology

The future is all about technology, especially in building service engineering. Artificial Intelligence can help improve the quality of work, time management, and efficiency for a construction or building service engineering company. Therefore, it is necessary for employees to have knowledge about AI. 

 

For example, the routing of plumbing systems and electrical wiring can be planned and mapped through AI systems by building service engineers with the know-how of AI technology. Consequently, recruiters are actively looking for employees with experience or knowledge of AI.  

Soft-Skills Are Key Hiring Traits

Although technical knowledge is of utmost importance in building service engineering, companies have also come to realise the importance of soft skills. Hard work, dedication, loyalty, integrity, and responsibility are traits that can help an employee become a key asset in the company. 

 

Companies can instil technical skills through training and guidance. However, it is far more meaningful for an employee to have the right attitude, enthusiasm, and commitment for their job. 

Conclusion

Hiring the right people for the right job is essential for every organisation. Without the proper talent, a company is bound to suffer from productivity and profitability issues. Therefore, it is crucial to be mindful of the latest recruitment practices and how they may affect your company. 

 

There has been an undeniable shift in recruitment trends over the years, but newer techniques will only serve to strengthen industries from within and make them more resilient to future instabilities. Use our guide to implement the best hiring practices for 2022 and improve your company’s overall performance. 

 

Danny Main is a co-owner & Director at Responsum Global. He has over 15 years’ experience matching the top building services engineering talent with the best employers. He has over 100 written success stories. He’s active on LinkedIn, is a host on The Building Services Podcast, and a regular writer on The Building Services Blog. He loves football, talking properties and owns a cat that is bigger than his dog.

 

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