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AI to DEI | 5 recruitment trends for employers in 2025
Written by Danielle Fargnoli on 10 January 2025
The hiring landscape in the UK continues to evolve rapidly, influenced by technological development, cultural changes, and economic challenges.
As we look ahead, here are five key trends that are expected to shape how organisations hire across the next year.
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1. AI as your co-pilot (but not the pilot!)
AI tools will continue to revolutionise recruitment, helping with candidate sourcing, CV screening, and even early-stage interviews. However, 2025 will focus on balancing automation with the human touch. Expect tools that assist rather than replace recruiters, ensuring empathy and personalisation remain core to the hiring process for organisations.
2. Skills over degrees
Forget the traditional CV format. Companies will increasingly prioritise skills-based hiring, using portfolios, practical assessments, and presentations to evaluate candidates. This shift aligns with the growing emphasis on lifelong learning and continued professional development.
3. Diversity, equality and inclusion at the core
2025 will see organisations doubling down on DEI initiatives, focusing not just on hiring diverse talent but also on creating inclusive workplaces. Advanced analytics tools will help track progress, while fair DEI questionnaires become a standard part of the application processes for all organisations.
4. Employee experience as a key selling point
Candidates are now job shoppers, and the experience you offer as an employer matters. Recruitment strategies will increasingly highlight career development opportunities, mental health support, and work-life balance in employer branding.
5. Sustainability in recruitment
Candidates care about the environment, and so should your recruitment process. From eco-friendly job fairs to virtual-only interview processes, sustainability will become a key differentiator for forward-thinking companies.
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The bottom line
2025 promises to be an exciting and transformative year for recruitment, with a clear shift towards skills-focused, technology-driven, and values-based hiring.
Whether you’re planning to incorporate AI tools, incorporate skills-based hiring or ramp up your DEI efforts, there’s plenty to look forward to.
If you’re looking to stay ahead of 2025’s trends and refine your recruitment processes, WorkNest’s recruitment specialists are here to support you. To discuss your needs and explore our solutions, call 0345 226 8393 or request your free consultation using the button below.