In today's competitive job market, finding and hiring top talent can be a challenging task for organisations. While traditional recruitment methods such as job postings and career fairs are still prevalent, more and more companies are turning to quiet hiring as a strategic alternative.

What is Quiet Hiring?

Quiet hiring is a recruitment process where employers discreetly search for potential candidates for a vacant role within their own ranks and externally by relying on means such as personal referrals and word of mouth instead of relying on actively promoting job openings. In the best-case scenario, quiet hiring can be considered the exact opposite of the late 2022 trend of ‘quiet quitting’, wherein employees were working just as much as was absolutely required to keep their jobs.

"Quiet hiring enables organisations to strategically address acute, immediate business needs by assigning existing employees to new roles, expanding existing employees' responsibilities through stretch and upskilling opportunities by hiring temporary workers to perform specific tasks or any combination of the three," Gartner said in a press release recently. A project or task that is currently beyond the scope of an employee's knowledge or expertise level is referred to as a ‘stretch assignment’. These assignments ‘stretch’ your development by putting you in a difficult situation where you can grow and learn.

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‍How does Quiet Hiring work?

Quiet hiring is a recruitment process where employers discreetly search for potential candidates for a vacant role within their own ranks and externally by relying on means such as personal referrals and word of mouth instead of relying on actively promoting job openings. In the best-case scenario, quiet hiring can be considered the exact opposite of the late 2022 trend of ‘quiet quitting’, wherein employees were working just as much as was absolutely required to keep their jobs.

Let’s suppose a business needs five more quality assurance engineers to meet a specific year-end objective.

The company may ask five of its current engineers from another team to complete the work as a temporary project rather than hiring five new people and going through the entire hiring process. Alternatively, the establishment might upskill five quality analysts and empower them with the essential skills, while having them work with/under engineers from different teams, to fulfil its goals. Another way for them to meet this objective would be by asking its existing quality assurance engineers to share references who can fill in the gaps at short notice.

“To capture the benefits of quiet hiring without risking attrition, organisations should expect to offer incentives, such as additional compensation, one-time bonuses, extra personal time off, flexible hours and working conditions,” recommends Gartner.

How does Quiet Hiring help?

According to a report by Jobvite, employee referrals result in higher quality hires and longer retention rates than any other recruitment source. Another survey by CareerBuilder found that companies can save an average of $5,000 per hire by using referral programs instead of traditional recruitment methods. Quiet hiring can shorten the time it takes to fill a position since employers can quickly identify qualified candidates within their ranks and upskill them to address their needs while boosting their career prospects. And we all know that upskilling employees can increase retention, engagement and productivity. The only possible disadvantage of quiet hiring is that it may result in a smaller pool of candidates since the company would only be targeting specific individuals or groups.

In conclusion, as you can see, the pros of quiet hiring comfortably outweigh the cons. Experts at Gartner have listed this trend as one of the top workforce trends for this year. So when will you start hiring quietly, if you haven’t already?

Thriving in the startup world: Tips for professional success

The fast-moving startup ecosystem can be an exciting and challenging place for professionals looking to grow their careers. As a professional in this industry, it's important to constantly adapt and learn in order to advance. Here are some tips for professionals looking to succeed in the startup world:

• Find your passion: Passion is often a key ingredient in the success of entrepreneurs. It's important to believe in the mission and purpose of the startup you choose to work with, as this can motivate and inspire you. Look for opportunities that you’re genuinely enthusiastic about and align with your interests, as this increases your chances of achieving significant success.
• Don't hesitate to take the lead: You can't expect your organisation to have everything figured out; a startup is almost always constantly revising its guidelines in the process of formalising its business. This is one of the things that makes working in a startup thrilling. Accept the chaos and share your thoughts to actively engage in refining your employer's modus operandi instead of shying away.
• Consistent communication: Priorities and projects can shift overnight in the startup world. To make sure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same objective, check in with your team frequently.
• Develop new skills: Ensure that today’s fast-paced world doesn’t leave you behind by staying up-to-date with the latest tech and trends. Add new skills to your arsenal by taking courses, attending conferences, and participating in online learning communities.
• Network, network, network: Networking is key in the startup world, both for finding new job opportunities and building relationships with potential clients or investors. Attending industry events and participating in online communities can be a great way to expand your network.

In conclusion, succeeding in the fast-paced and ever-evolving startup industry requires a combination of numerous factors. To stay ahead of the curve, it's crucial to remain passionate, flexible, proactive and committed to consistent learning. Remember that the startup ecosystem is full of opportunities, challenges, and rewards, and it's up to you to make the most of them.