Lateral Hiring 

What is lateral hiring?

Lateral hiring, also known as lateral recruitment, is a strategic approach that involves hiring employees from other companies or organizations at the same job level or position they currently hold. This method, distinct from promoting internal candidates or hiring entry-level employees, is a powerful tool to bring in experienced professionals with specialized skills or industry knowledge that may be outside the current employee pool of the hiring organization. By understanding and implementing lateral hiring, organizations can access a diverse talent pool and enhance their capabilities.

Lateral Hiring Importance

Lateral hires typically come with significant experience and expertise in their field, allowing them to contribute immediately with minimal training. This type of hiring is often used to fill positions that require highly specialized skills or knowledge that are difficult to develop internally.

Lateral hires, with their existing knowledge and experience, have an immediate impact on projects and goals. They bring in a diverse perspective from their previous organization, enriching the work environment. Furthermore, bringing in talent from competitors or related industries can provide strategic advantages, such as insider knowledge or new methodologies. This immediate impact and strategic advantage can significantly benefit the organization.

How Mercer | Mettl can help

Mercer | Mettl, a leader in HR solutions, provides a comprehensive range of lateral hiring solutions to help organizations find the right talent. These include:

Assessment battery: Scientifically validated battery of assessments to assess candidates’ behavior, cognition and technical skills.

Simulators: World-class frontend, backend and full-stack simulators to test the candidates’ real-world skills.

Xathon: Hackathons and ideathons to innovate, engage and hire top tech and non-tech talent.