Randstad’s 2025 Global Talent Trends report reveals what’s next for work: AI as a cultural architect, skills-first hiring as the new baseline, and flexibility as non-negotiable. Discover how to future-proof your employer brand, or risk being left behind.
Randstad’s 2025 Global Talent Trends: A Deeper Dive into the Future of Work
In our recent analysis of the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 report, we unpacked seismic shifts shaking the global workforce. Now, Randstad’s 2025 Global Talent Trends report adds fuel to the fire, revealing new fault lines and fresh opportunities for employer branding.
Before we dive into comparisons, let’s start with what Randstad’s report alone tells us—and why it matters for your employer brand.
🚀 Randstad’s Key Findings: What They Mean for Employer Branding
1️⃣ The Rise of Skills-First Hiring
- 44% of workers refuse roles without upskilling opportunities.
- Employers are prioritizing internal mobility over external hiring, with 81% shifting focus inward.
🎯 Employer Branding Impact:
- Shift EVP narratives from job titles to growth journeys.
- Showcase real stories of internal progression, not just polished recruitment videos.
2️⃣ AI: From Automation to Augmentation
- 83% of companies use AI to reduce bias and personalize employee experiences.
- 89% of top performers prefer companies with clear AI ethics policies.
🎯 Employer Branding Impact:
- Position your company as an ethical AI leader.
- Move beyond "we use AI" to "here’s how AI improves life for our people."
3️⃣ Flexibility is Non-Negotiable
- 45% of the global workforce demands alternative work models.
- 76% would switch jobs for better flexibility.
🎯 Employer Branding Impact:
- Stop listing flexibility as a perk—it’s a baseline.
- Proof, not promises: Highlight flexible policies in action, not vague commitments.
4️⃣ Leadership is the Real Retention Strategy
- Only 36% of companies provide strong leadership development.
- Weak leadership = high attrition. Simple math.
🎯 Employer Branding Impact:
- Feature leadership stories in your brand content—not just the C-suite, but frontline managers shaping culture daily.
Randstad’s 2025 Global Talent Trends: A Deeper Dive into the Future of Work
In our recent breakdown of the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 report, we unpacked the seismic shifts reshaping the global workforce. Now, we’re building on those insights with Randstad’s newly released 2025 Talent Trends: The Talent Multiverse report—because one seismic shift is never enough.
Think of this as the sequel with more plot twists: AI’s not just stealing jobs; it’s rewriting company culture. Skills-first hiring isn’t a trend; it’s the new baseline. And flexibility? It’s not a perk. It’s non-negotiable.
Fathom Talent Attraction
Fathom provides rigorous research, evidence-backed strategies, and data-driven employer branding - from EVP to delivery.
AI: From Job Threat to Cultural Architect
The WEF report warned us about AI’s job displacement potential, especially in clerical work and customer service. Randstad flips the script 83% of organizations are now using AI to reduce unconscious bias and personalize employee experiences.
That’s not just a shift. It’s a pivot.
- WEF’s AI: The villain in a dystopian workforce saga.
- Randstad’s AI: The ethical architect redesigning how companies engage with talent.
Employer Branding Takeaway:
Your competitors are already positioning themselves as ethical AI adopters. Are you? 89% of top performers prefer employers with clear AI ethics policies. Ignore this, and you’re not just behind, you’re irrelevant.
The Skills-First Revolution: Potential Over Pedigree
Both reports shout the same message: skills > degrees.
- WEF: 40% of employers in South Africa have scrapped degree requirements.
- Randstad: 44% of workers won’t even consider a job without upskilling opportunities.
But here’s the catch:
- Employers rank reskilling as the 2nd most important retention driver.
- Employees? It’s 7th.
What’s Really Going On?
- For candidates: Upskilling is a major attraction factor. They want to know, “If I join your company, will I grow?”
- For employees: Upskilling alone won’t make them stay. They care more about flexibility, fair pay, and clear career progression.
Employer Branding Takeaway:
If your EVP leans too heavily on “learning and development” without addressing real retention drivers, you’re missing the mark.
- To attract talent: Highlight your skills-first culture and growth opportunities.
- To retain talent: Don’t assume an e-learning platform is the answer. Focus on career paths, leadership quality, and meaningful work.
Flexibility: Still the MVP of Employee Priorities
In the WEF report, flexibility ranked as the number one employee priority. Randstad doubles down:
- 45% of the global workforce now demands alternative work arrangements.
- 76% of employees say they’d switch jobs for more flexibility.
Employer Branding Takeaway:
If your EVP still treats flexibility like a perk, you’re living in 2019. Embed it in your culture, shout it in your job ads, and stop pretending hybrid work is revolutionary.
Leadership: The Elephant in Every Meeting Room
While the WEF report barely whispered about leadership’s role in retention, Randstad is blunt:
- Only 36% of organizations offer effective leadership development.
That’s not a gap. That’s a canyon.
Employer Branding Takeaway:
Forget “culture fit.” Leadership fit is what retains talent. Showcase your leadership development programs like they’re part of your product offering—because, in a way, they are.
Internal Mobility: The Secret Weapon for Retention
Randstad introduces a curveball:
- 81% of companies now prioritize internal mobility over external hiring.
We’ve said it before—shoutout to Spotify’s “Band Members” approach, but Randstad’s data proves it: career growth doesn’t mean jumping ship anymore.
Employer Branding Takeaway:
Your internal talent marketplace isn’t just an HR tool. It’s a branding asset. Promote internal success stories like case studies. Show, don’t tell.
Action Plan for Employer Branding Professionals
- AI Ethics Framework:
Put your AI ethics policy front and center in recruitment campaigns. Candidates care. - Skills-First EVP:
Refocus your EVP around skills development, not just job roles. Make growth part of your brand DNA. - Flexibility Showcase:
Stop treating flexibility like a bullet point. Make it the headline. - Leadership Development Spotlight:
Turn your leadership programs into employer brand gold. Feature them in employee testimonials, case studies, and social content. - Internal Mobility Campaigns:
Highlight career progression within your company. Think less “career ladder,” more “career jungle gym.”
WEF vs. Randstad: The Talent Trends Showdown
Let’s stack these insights side by side:
| Trend | WEF Focus | Randstad Focus | Employer Branding Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI’s Role | Job displacement risk | Culture enhancement & bias reduction | From fear narrative to ethical leadership |
| Skills-First Hiring | Dropping degree requirements | Growth-focused EVP | Potential > Pedigree |
| Flexibility | Employee priority #1 | 76% would leave without it | Flexibility isn’t a perk. It’s the foundation. |
| Leadership | Under-addressed | Central to retention | Make leadership part of your brand story |
| Internal Mobility | Not highlighted | 81% prioritize it | Showcase career pathways inside your org |
The Randstad Global Talent Trends 2025 report doesn’t just echo the WEF’s findings—it amplifies them. The message is clear: Adapt fast or watch your talent walk out the door.
As we said in our Future of Jobs 2025 article:
"The future of work is unfolding now. Move fast, or get left behind."
Randstad’s report isn’t just a roadmap. It’s a countdown. ⏱
🚀 Action List
Because checklists are great, but action drives impact. Here’s your roadmap:
1️⃣ Create an AI Ethics Campaign:
- Feature your AI ethics policy in recruitment content.
- Highlight how AI improves employee experiences.
2️⃣ Revamp Your EVP with Skills at the Core:
- Shift from job roles to growth journeys in your messaging.
- Promote internal upskilling programs with real-life success stories.
3️⃣ Flexibility Audit:
- Review job descriptions—are they screaming “flexibility,” or whispering it in fine print?
- Add employee testimonials about real-life flexible work arrangements.
4️⃣ Leadership Spotlight Series:
- Launch content that showcases how your leaders inspire, retain, and grow talent.
- Go beyond executives—spotlight middle managers shaping culture daily.
5️⃣ Internal Mobility Campaign:
- Turn career transitions within your company into case studies.
- Show how employees can grow without switching companies.
Did you enjoy reading this? Elevate your employer branding game. Subscribe for more fresh content and expert insights - it's free!
EBN Jobs - Global Employer branding Roles
Let’s be real: a great employer brand is about more than quirky seating and trendy perks. Your next career move should be built on substance—where your strategy defines the culture, not the furniture.
Ready to make a real impact? Join Employer Branding Jobs and discover roles where strategy matters more than style.
Comments ()