Workforce Transformation 2025: Recruiting strategies for the volatile labour market

A system in a state of emergency

Germany's labour market is a paradox: while unemployment will stagnate at 5% in 2025, 68% of companies will lack skilled workers (Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2024). At the same time, industry is cutting jobs (-70,000 in 2024) and AI threatens to replace 27% of jobs in five years (ifo Institute).

Behind this is a precarious mix:

• Demographic collapse: 3 million workers shortage by 2035 (IAB)
• AI revolution: Productivity gains of 8-16%, but disruptive job losses
• Ghost applicants: 44% of candidates break off contact after receiving an application (Stepstone 2025)

Recruiting in transformation - from angler to eco-system designer

Recruiters are like anglers on a pond with fewer and fewer fish. But traditional "bait casting" is no longer enough.

The 3 major recruiting challenges:

1. the pond is emptying
- vacancy times at a record high (180 days!)
- causes: Demographics, retirement wave, emigration

2. the wrong fish are biting
- 84% of recruiters complain about skills gaps
- Particularly affected: Logistics, healthcare professions, mechatronics

3. fish with luxury expectations
- Candidates expect "haute cuisine" experiences
- Ghosting rate: 44% after application

The recruiting revolution: optimising the tried and tested, daring the radical

Pillar 1: Proven strategies on steroids

• Candidate First 2.0: Transparent processes reduce ghosting by 37% (Merck case study)
• EVP Impact: Job branding instead of employer branding - positioning individual key roles
• Smart targeting: AI-supported channel management reduces cost-per-hire by 22%

Pillar 2: The game changers
Innovation → Practical impact → Example

AI Unleashed → Automated pre-selection saves 65% recruiter time → Chatbot screening
Clip & Connect → Video applications increase application rate by 40% → Asynchronous interviews
Access for All → Accessibility as a USP (mandatory from 2025!) → Screen reader optimisation

Workforce transformation: the bigger picture

Recruiting is just one piece of the puzzle. Real transformation needs seven levers:

1. AI & Tech
   - Question: "Do I need this fish - or a robot fish?"
2. Flexibilisation of the value chain
   - 11 million jobs in Germany will be redesigned by 2027 (WEF)
3. Near/offshoring
   - Every 4th industrial company outsources services (ifo Institute)
4. Re-/Upskilling
   - Global deficit: 4.3 million tech experts (Korn Ferry)
5. Retention
   - 44% of companies report declining retention(Personalwirtschaft)
6. Organisational development & culture
   - 71% see culture as a driver of success (Heidrick Consulting)
7. Scenario-based workforce planning
   - Only 16% of companies use it strategically (Hays Report)

Your action plan: Three immediate measures

1. Recruiting audit
   Check: Do you already use AI for matching and screening?
2. Job branding campaign
   Position key roles as "career hotspots"
3. Accessibility check
   Test application portals with screen readers - mandatory from July 2025!