Core Insights - Job boards remain a significant platform for hiring, with 69% of employers conducting most of their hiring through them and 32% expecting increased reliance in the next year [2][3] - Candidates also favor job boards, with nearly 80% using general job boards and 54% utilizing industry-specific ones [2] Employer Preferences - Employers desire job boards to evolve by offering features such as messaging, prescreening questions, skills assessments, interview scheduling, job ad writing, and applicant tracking system integrations [3] - Other popular recruiting methods include employee referrals (71%), company websites (50%), and professional networking sites like LinkedIn (46%) [4] Candidate Behavior - Job seekers utilize professional networking sites (55%), company websites (45%), search engines (42%), and networking (33%) in their job search [5] - Candidates suggest that employers improve communication by providing hiring timelines, salary ranges, contact information, benefits details, and insights into company culture [5] Communication Challenges - Better employer branding and storytelling can enhance candidate engagement, addressing issues like ghosting and fake job postings, which are significant frustrations for candidates [6] - Communication between candidates and employers is a major concern, with 59% of candidates and 51% of employers citing ghosting as a frustration [6] Impact of AI - AI tools are expected to play a larger role in recruitment, potentially improving communication but necessitating transparency regarding AI usage [7] Application Process Issues - Online recruiting systems need to simplify complex application processes, as nearly 60% of candidates have abandoned applications due to frustration [8] - Candidates report that confusing applications and poor communication are their primary job search challenges [8]

Core Insights - The labor market is facing talent shortages, shifting candidate expectations, and increased competition, making employer branding crucial for recruitment success [1] - Despite 80% of HR leaders acknowledging the influence of employer branding on recruiting, only 8% have a dedicated budget for it [1] - The Outthink Index provides standardized metrics to help HR leaders enhance their employer brand across various industries [1][4] Outthink Index Features - The Outthink Index allows employers to leverage data for optimizing their employer brand's value, providing insights on brand performance relative to competitors and industry standards [2][9] - It offers comprehensive benchmarking across nine key areas, including job application accessibility and communication of company culture [9] - Employers can gain competitive insights to identify strengths and areas for improvement, guiding branding strategies and recruitment marketing decisions [9] PeopleScout Overview - PeopleScout, a subsidiary of TrueBlue, has 30 years of experience in employer branding and offers data-driven insights and personalized consultation [4][6] - The company provides scalable talent solutions, including Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) and Managed Service Provider (MSP) services [6][7] - PeopleScout utilizes technology, machine learning, and AI to enhance decision-making and exceed client expectations [6][7]