Many organisations are still navigating the workplace buzzwords that shaped 2022, like “quiet quitting” and “quiet firing.” It’s a new year with a new, trendy term to add to your HR lexicon. From boardrooms to production plants, the buzzword "quiet hiring" is what everyone is, ironically, loudly discussing.
Quiet hiring is when organisations fill skill gaps by training the people they already have. And with a 4.8 million surplus of open jobs over available workers and an economic downturn, organisations are looking for cost-effective ways to fill skills gaps and maximise their current talent. Quiet hiring can be how you close talent gaps from within without spending time, money and resources on new hires.
Critics may see quiet hiring as adding burdens onto existing employees, overwhelming them with tasks they’re unprepared to complete. And done wrong, that’s precisely what quiet hiring can be. But done right, not only do organisations fill their needed gaps and increase retention rates and engagement of their best people, but also employees gain new skills and experiences.
Here are the two key talent mobility strategies you need to know to ensure you’re getting quiet hiring right for your organisation and your people.
Short-term, quiet hiring benefits employers during a talent shortage by upskilling their workers and fast-tracking them through the onboarding process. It also supports organisations long-term. When employers quiet hire, they provide career growth opportunities that increase employee satisfaction and retention. Gartner's research team found that 56% of candidates report applying for jobs outside their current area of expertise, and they expect this number to continue to rise. Employers can stay ahead of the curve by giving career visibility, sparking continuous innovative ways to engage employees and prepare for tomorrow’s future-ready workforce.
The Cornerstone People Research Lab in partnership with Lighthouse Research & Advisory talent mobility study found that the number one way employees prefer to enhance their skills is through experiences and technology-enabled talent development. When you create learning with a purpose, you can expand opportunities for advancement across your organisation. Your people developing their skill sets pays dividends for you and them in the short and long term.
Quiet hiring can help your organisation identify your best and brightest and support them throughout their career journey. Employees have a pivotal opportunity to gain benefits they can expand to all aspects of their career progression:
- Professional development – Gain new skills that help them advance their career and the experience to grow their resume and portfolio
- Increased market value – Expand their marketability and the opportunity to negotiate pay and title as they develop in various new areas
- Hands-on experience – Expand knowledge in a new field and cross-train with other departments
Mike Bollinger, Global VP of Strategic Initiatives, Cornerstone, takes a closer look at the findings from the 2023 Talent Mobility Study, released by the Cornerstone People Research Lab and Lighthouse Research & Advisory.
Our talent mobility study found that 70% of employees said they’re more likely to stay with an organisation that offers continuous training and learning. AI can help organisations identify who would be the best fit to learn new skills and fill their gaps. With the right AI-powered technology, workers can grow their careers by exploring ways to define their own path to success.
While quiet hiring becomes a pivotal part of many organisations’ strategic goals for the new year, communication and career visibility are still key to unlock successful talent mobility. Employers must be transparent and reassuring when explaining the reasons behind reorganising their workforce. Otherwise, team members may question their future within the organisation.
Open and honest career conversations allow employers to upskill and develop their most valuable employees, unlocking their limitless potential. Employers who are upfront about the new roles and responsibilities allow talent the opportunity to manage time efficiently and excel in their career goals. Employees want to feel valued and seen while having opportunities to learn and grow.
