As 2017 comes to a close and a new year approaches, recruiters are already gazing upon the horizon at what is to come in 2018. The executive recruitment landscape has long been defined by emerging trends and technological developments. Employers are always looking for ways to innovate and, in turn, avoid costly hiring mistakes. Here is a look at some exciting trends that will make the most significant impact in the coming year and beyond. Predictive Analytics With the current explosion of big data, AI, and all things digital, predictive analytics will continue to define the ways that recruiters source and develop top talent. Instead of having to conduct hours of grueling research or hire based on gut feeling, hiring managers are now using tools to help them make evidence-based, data-driven hiring decisions. According to Monster.com, this will mean: Helping to identify who top talent is and when to contact them Using macroeconomic and talent data to plan resource allocation and identify on which what regions to focus Optimizing job postings for better responses Using that same talent data to drive better sales outcomes Diversity and Inclusion Diversity and inclusion is not a “trend” per se, but in 2018, the interest will continue with a more significant urgency than ever before. Last year, a high number of employers faced discrimination and harassment lawsuits. While many companies are starting to find their stride in obtaining diverse hires, not enough are taking the next step in building organizations that are genuinely inclusive. The most effective recruiters and HR professionals will understand that diversity hiring and talent development are not just about compliance and checking a box, but also creating higher-performing businesses with bottom-line impact. Optimized Job Postings It is no longer enough to put out a posting on a job board, sit back, and hope for the best. Job postings are increasingly being tweaked and optimized not just to describe a role, but to sell your company as an employer. Most importantly, federal agencies are increasingly starting to crawl job postings looking for digital postings. Make sure you brush up on the latest compliance. (Hint: even words like “digital native” can potentially land you in some hot water.) Rise of the Gig Economy 2018 will mean that more recruiters will find themselves hiring independent contractors instead of full-time employees. This will bring about great changes in how they approach finding and hiring this talent. You may also be interested to know that a recent study indicates that a whopping 94 percent of applicants are interested in potentially being freelance or independent contractors. Want to take your recruitment strategy to the next level in 2018? Thrive TRM has all the tools you need to make the coming year the best one ever. Contact us now to demo our products and learn how we can offer unique expertise.