Here are the top three hiring trends job seekers can expect in the new year:

1. Virtual recruiting will be the norm.
Before the pandemic began, employers were already conducting initial interview rounds over the phone and with video. However, in 2022 you can expect virtual recruiting tactics such as virtual events, multi-person remote interviews, virtual workplace tours, and online real-time presentations to be the primary recruitment method for most companies. In-person interviews will be reserved for final-round interviews only in the instances where the candidate will be expected to work out of a corporate headquarters. If you’re planning to search for a new job, make sure you’re comfortable with video interviews.

2. Employment gaps will lose their stigma.
A 2020 hiring survey found that employers admitted caring less about employment gaps since the pandemic began. Fast forward to 2021, and it’s safe to say that most hiring professionals are far less concerned about your current employment status and more interested in reviewing your qualifications. As employers struggle to fill their vacancies and many professionals are still hesitant to return to the workplace, you’ll see employers being less resistant to interviewing candidates who’ve been out-of-work for an extended period of time. In 2022, the focus will remain on what matters most when hiring: a candidate’s qualifications and cultural fit within the organisation.

3. “Onsite” meetings will become the new “offsite”.
As more companies adopt a hybrid work model or allow employees to work remotely on a full-time basis, they’ll find a need to organise special onsite meetings for team members to occasionally touch base and collaborate face-to-face. With commuter numbers around 35% higher on a Tuesday than at the start of the week, it seems that the office will be empty on Mondays and Fridays as mid-week becomes the preferred time for teams to get together in person.