It’s safe to say no industry has avoided disruption over the past few years. Change is the constant; the question is how they’ve changed, and what that means for industry leaders moving forward in the future.
In the eCommerce industry, the overall trend since 2020 has been massive growth, and that showed no signs of slowing in 2022. According to a report by Shopify, global eCommerce sales are predicted to reach $5 trillion by the end of 2022, and rise to $6 trillion by the end of 2024. That growth will likely make the already tight labor market for eCommerce recruiting even trickier to navigate for business leaders.
How can today’s eCommerce companies connect with the talent they need? Here are three emerging trends that will help eCommerce hiring managers build the teams to drive their future business growth.
Hidden Talent Pools Are a Top Source of Talent
Since 2005, eCommerce employment has grown faster than any other vertical in retail, with an impressive 334% job creation rate from 2005-2020. This has left the pool of eCommerce talent very depleted, and there are no signs of that changing any time soon.
One answer for companies is to recruit from so-called hidden talent pools. These are professionals who have the skills required for roles but are often overlooked by companies. One example of this type of hidden talent are military veterans, whose lack of private sector experience often leaves them unfairly screened out of contention for jobs they are qualified for. The formerly incarcerated and disabled professionals are other groups that are often ignored, even in a tight labor market.
There are a lot of advantages to recruiting from these talent pools. For one thing, you’ll often get the same caliber of talent but face less competition from other companies and recruiters. These individuals are also often eager for work and will give their all for an employer who acknowledges their potential and value.
Proactive Recruiters Are Cultivating Talent Pipelines
In the past, many eCommerce companies waited until they had job openings to start searching for people to fill them. This makes sense in a job market with ample talent but can lead to costly delays and long times to hire in a landscape where there are more open positions than there are qualified candidates.
One solution is to take a page from the marketing department’s handbook by creating the recruiting equivalent of a lead funnel. A well-designed talent funnel lets hiring teams cultivate relationships with potential future employees before a position is available for them. These are often passive candidates who have a job currently but may be interested in a different one that pays better or opens new avenues for advancement. When the right position opens up, the company can activate their talent pipeline, potentially eliminating the most arduous and time-consuming parts of the hiring process.
The bottom line is, it’s no longer enough for companies to put up a job post then sit back and wait for the applicants to come in. Especially for roles that require in-demand skills, a proactive approach both saves time and results in stronger hires who are more likely to be a good long-term fit for the company.
Branding Isn’t Just for Customers
eCommerce business owners have long understood the ways that effective branding can help them attract and keep customers. In 2022, there’s a growing recognition of how crucial an employer brand is during the recruiting process.
This is particularly true for those companies looking to hire Millennial and Gen Z talent. These younger generations are eager to work for an employer who shares their values, both in terms of the workplace culture and the broader impact of their product or service. Values like sustainability and diversity are often at the top of the list of things candidates want to see from their next employer.
Social media is a powerful tool for this kind of intentional employer branding. Emphasizing the company culture and employee experience on these platforms helps potential applicants understand why the role is a good fit for their values and workplace needs, making passive candidates especially more likely to apply.
The Future of eCommerce Hiring
It’s more difficult to find eCommerce talent than it was in the past, but there is talent out there—it’s just a matter of retooling your recruiting process to find and attract it. Taking advantage of hiring trends like those above can help eCommerce leaders grow the strong team they need to compete in this dynamic industry.