Major moves are happening in the recruitment marketing and talent acquisition industry. Dell workers are asserting their preference to work from home by resisting the company’s return-to-office mandate, with nearly half of their employees choosing remote work over promotions. 

Also, the competition for internships is intensifying—especially in tech and finance. And Tripadvisor’s former CEO shares insights on red-flag answers during hiring interviews.

Check out the summaries below for a comprehensive overview of this week’s key developments in talent acquisition.

Nearly half of Dell’s full-time workforce in the U.S. has rejected returning to the office. They’d rather work from home than get promoted.

Dell’s strict return-to-office (RTO) policy has met significant resistance from its U.S. workforce, with nearly 50% of full-time employees choosing to continue working remotely despite the company’s ultimatum that promotions would only be available to those who return to in-person work. The policy, which classifies employees into remote and hybrid categories, mandates that hybrid workers spend at least 30 days per quarter in the office. However, many employees, especially those working with international teams, find remote work more practical and beneficial.

The company’s enforcement methods, including tracking key card swipes and VPN usage, have only fueled employee dissatisfaction. Similar discontent has been seen at other tech companies like SAP, where 5,000 employees protested against RTO mandates. Studies, such as one by Stanford economist Nick Bloom, suggest that flexible work arrangements improve job satisfaction and productivity without negatively impacting promotion rates. Despite Dell’s insistence on in-person connections for innovation, the pushback from employees highlights a growing preference for the benefits of remote work.

Staffing Hours See Stronger Post-Holiday Lift: SIA | Bullhorn Staffing Indicator

The SIA | Bullhorn Staffing Indicator report reveals a significant post-holiday increase in U.S. temp staffing hours following Memorial Day, surpassing last year’s figures. For the week ending June 8, 2024, U.S. staffing hours rose by 2.9%, indicating a robust demand for staffing services.

Commercial staffing hours saw a 3.1% increase, while professional staffing hours grew by 2.1%. Despite a year-over-year decline of 11% in overall U.S. staffing, 12% in commercial staffing, and 9% in professional staffing, the sequential weekly increase suggests a strengthening market in the wake of the holiday. This trend highlights the growing need for flexible staffing solutions to meet post-holiday business demands.

Degree? Yes. Job? Maybe not yet.

New college graduates are entering a cooling labor market, facing tougher entry-level job prospects than in previous years. Despite a strong labor market overall, hiring for recent graduates has slowed, with only 13% finding jobs in the past six months, a significant drop from the 20% peak in 2022. Many employers are scaling back on new postings and favoring experienced workers who can contribute immediately. As a result, the U.S. unemployment rate for 20- to 24-year-olds has risen from 6.3% to 7.9% over the past year, the largest increase in 14 years outside the pandemic.

Graduates from the class of 2024, many of whom began their college education virtually due to the pandemic, face unique challenges. They missed out on in-person internships and mentorships, resulting in thinner resumes compared to previous cohorts. Despite the difficulties, experts like Georgetown University’s Harry Holzer suggest that the situation is not as dire as the post-2008 financial crisis. While it may take six to nine months for these graduates to find jobs, the continued demand in sectors like health care, government, and leisure and hospitality offers hope for quicker recovery.

Internships Are Drying Up, Especially in Tech and Finance

This summer, companies are scaling back on internships, heightening competition among college students and new graduates for these critical entry points into the workforce. According to Handshake, a job search platform for students, internship listings dropped by over 7% from the previous year, with the average number of applications per internship rising to 93 from 53. This intensified competition reflects broader industry trends, with companies like Tesla rescinding internship offers amid cost-cutting measures.

Internship programs, which are resource-intensive, have become less appealing to cost-conscious executives focused on efficiency. As a result, some companies are shifting towards less costly workshops and educational programs to maintain campus presence without committing to full internship programs. This trend is concerning for students, as research indicates that those without internships are at higher risk of long-term underemployment. In response, students like Isabel Cramer and Jade Bahng are exploring alternative ways to build skills and gain experience, highlighting the evolving strategies young professionals must adopt in a challenging job market.

Red-flag answers to avoid in hiring interviews, according to Tripadvisor’s former CEO

Steve Kaufer, former CEO of Tripadvisor, shares valuable insights into hiring interviews, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and adaptability, particularly in startup environments. In a recent podcast, Kaufer revealed his go-to interview questions and the red flags he watches for. A key question he asks is about the hardest project the candidate has worked on. He looks for answers that avoid blaming others and instead show empathy and teamwork. This approach helps him identify team players who take responsibility when challenges arise.

Kaufer also values candidates’ ability to evaluate and improve on their successes. He asks about successful projects and how candidates would refine them, catching some off guard if they haven’t considered this before. Curiosity is another crucial trait for Kaufer, especially regarding new technologies. He prefers candidates who show an interest in experimenting with AI and chatbots, as it indicates a willingness to adapt and stay ahead of trends. Those lacking this curiosity often don’t make the cut, as Kaufer finds it essential for the dynamic nature of startups.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Moves This Week

• Heidrick CFO Leaving to Join PR Firm
• Bullhorn Acquires Textkernel
• Talroo Announces Smart Drive Time to Simplify Candidate Commutes
• candidate.fyi Welcomes Colin Day, Founder of iCIMS, as New Advisor

Layoffs This Week

• Stablecoin Issuer Paxos Cuts 20% of Workforce
• Satellogic Announces New Round of Layoffs
• Carbon capture company Running Tide shuts down, blames lack of market demand
• Subscription vitamin company Care/of is shutting down
• Chegg Announces Restructuring Plan and New Vision for Growth
• Loop goes through another round of layoffs
• C2FO’s move to more automation brings round of layoffs

Talivity Reporter

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