2022

Last year at this time, we were in the depths of the pandemic, phase one. The vaccine had just started to become available, but widespread rollout was totally unclear. There was so much we didn’t know. Fear and apprehension clouded every decision, muting the employment market to a near whisper. There was a sense of holding back, hunkering down.

Now we are approaching two years of living with COVID-19. And while there are still so many challenges, in the areas of work and professional meaning, at least, we have a clearer path ahead.

Going into 2022, the employment space is clearly in a period of massive change. Most of all, I love that there’s been near-universal acceptance of the fact that great talent is in the driver’s seat. Companies have been saying for years that “our people are our biggest asset,” but market conditions are finally forcing them to act like it. Every day, employers are approaching me asking: How do we build a company that the best people on the market will want to work for? And how can we communicate that externally in a way that resonates?

From Day 0 when I started Boyd Recruitment, I wanted to build a company that not only helped people find a job, but helped them find the right job. I wanted job seekers to be able to use me not just to get a list of open opportunities—frankly, you can find those in a lot of places!—but I want to continue to be able to help you find those opportunities and those companies in a way that helps you assess whether it’s the right fit for you.

And for employers, it is most important to me that I help them understand and communicate their company culture, values, and work environment, so they’re finding the right hires who will stay and be successful. It’s about the success of the match over time (retention), not just that initial connection (the hire). For too long, products in the job search industry focused on fill over fit—getting a person into a job without worrying in the slightest whether it was the right job. I started my business to change that—and with these priorities in place, it’s no wonder my jobs marketplace outperforms competitors in making matches that work out.

Looking ahead into 2022, I want to make job search even more personalised by doubling down on employee-sourced content, video, and user experience. Looking more broadly, I'm also excited by the progress we’re seeing society-wide on issues of diversity, equity, and belonging—though we know there’s still a long way to go when it comes to building truly inclusive workplaces.

If I could sum up my vision for the year ahead in one word, it’s renaissance. I love the idea that even as the pandemic continues to cast its shadow over every aspect of our lives, people are creating a new spring for their careers and reimagining what work can look like. That’s very resonant for me personally.

And we’ve all got a lot of work to do.

Onward and upward!