This week in the Holistic Recruiter Club #017

A week off of social media, A week surviving the kids, Taking time to assess the affect the US election will have on European Recruitment

Nov 02, 2024

Week after week more of you are subscribing and reading so I want to thank you. When I started this I just wanted to put my thoughts “down on paper” and the consistency is paying off, I’m having even more interesting conversations each week as well. If you like or don’t like please challenge what I’m saying and provide feedback!

So, this week, I took a week off. I was tired from my LinkedIn shadow ban, and I was off for a week with the kids, and I wanted to focus on them!

But I’m back, currently sitting in a bar, waiting for my train back from Amsterdam after dropping my son back to his mum! However thanks to the delay I missed my train and waiting and hoping the train manager lets me on the next train haha.

This week I will share with you my opinions on the US election and what effect it will have on the European Market for TA’s! But first…. our next Two Tired Dads Talk Talent and Tech

What the U.S. Election Means for Talent Acquisition and Hiring in Europe

Lets be honest it’s already under pressure, I saw a post from TH founder of Figures Virgile who said theat TA jobs are down by a third from last year. We know the expression more from less, and AI breathing down our necks, ready to automate parts of our jobs. Now, throw in the upcoming U.S. election, and you might be wondering what kind of effects we’re in for if , especially for TA’s working in tech and at large corporations in Europe. While I like to keep our political preferences neutral in a work space, it’s equally important to assess which potential leader might benefit our field the most.

I’m going to break down what the U.S. election could mean for TA and hiring under two possible outcomes: a Trump presidency versus a more progressive administration, such as one led by Vice President Kamala Harris. In my opinion and I have no preference I’m laying it out as I see it. With the desire outcome “Better outlook for TA’s in Europe”

1. The Trump Business Blueprint Donald Trump’s policies have always leaned heavily on deregulation and a very business-friendly environment. In many ways, this could be advantageous for us in TA. A market with fewer regulatory hurdles often leads to economic stimulation, budget growth, and more ambitious hiring goals. If Trump were to win, we might see:

Deregulation could create a wave of economic growth that translates directly to increased hiring activity. When companies have fewer constraints, they expand faster, and that often means more work for TA teams (in a good way).
For those working with tech companies, less regulatory scrutiny means faster hiring processes, fewer barriers to entry, and quicker implementation of innovative recruitment practices.

However, the flip side is that Trump’s strict immigration policies could put a dent in the international talent pipeline—a significant consideration for European companies that rely on skilled workers from abroad. This might force TA teams to get creative with domestic talent strategies, focusing on upskilling and new development programs.

2. The Harris Approach: Balanced but Bounded On the other end of the spectrum, a Harris-led administration would likely come with comprehensive immigration reform, opening up pathways for international talent. For European companies seeking to attract skilled professionals globally, this could be beneficial. But remember, this would come with:

More focus on ethical AI development, data privacy, and fair recruitment practices. While this is important for sustainability, it could add layers of compliance that slow down hiring processes.

The pro-immigration stance could bring more diversity into the workforce, providing TA teams access to a wider pool of international candidates.

So, What could be better for TA? If we’re looking purely through the TA and hiring lens, and Im really focusing on that and nothing else, and keeping our personal political leanings out of i, Trump’s policies might edge out as more favourable.

Deregulation could lead to a buoyant economy with higher hiring demands and a simplified regulatory framework that makes recruitment less cumbersome. But this comes with the caveat of navigating tighter immigration policies and possible market volatility. Who knows.

On the other hand, a Harris administration could mean smoother access to international talent and more predictable compliance landscapes, which are great but could come at the expense of agility and speed in hiring processes.

What Does This Mean for Us in Europe?

Why should we care about a U.S. election when we’re focused on the European market? Because global corporations don’t operate in a vacuum. U.S. policies influence market trends, budget allocations, and even corporate strategies that echo across the Atlantic. If a new administration comes in with massive changes, especially in tech regulation or immigration, the impact will be felt in Europe’s hiring landscape.

So I am not and no one really cares what I think as to endorsing one leader over another, it’s about understanding the implications for our field. As TA’s we need to prepare for both scenarios, focusing on flexible strategies that can pivot based on global changes. That way, whether it’s fast-tracked hiring thanks to economic growth or recalibrating for new regulations, we’re not just reacting, we’re leading as is the common theme I talk about, being ahead of the curve not reactionary.

So Stay prepared, stay neutral, and stay strategic. Because no matter who wins, the work of bringing talent to the heart of business success never stops!

As I said this would be a shorter one as I’ve been off this week, but let me know what you think! Thanks again for reading!

The Holistic Recruiter Club

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