Hiring the Best Talent for Your Open Jobs

Hiring the Best Talent for Your Open Jobs

Hiring is always a challenge, whether the job market is competitive or not. But if you want to win top talent for each of your positions, it's important to have a strategy to attract the best. This gets especially important if you're hiring for a specialized role.

The key to getting the best person for each position is to make the job attractive. The more attractive it is, the more likely it is that people will be eager to apply. A larger pool of applicants lets you choose the best and brightest. But you'll also want to make sure you're attracting only the most qualified people.

Luckily, there are some things you can do to attract top talent. Here are a few tips to ensure that your recruiting efforts get the best results.

Write a Compelling Job Description

Your most powerful recruiting tool is your job description. First and foremost, it needs to be an accurate representation of your work culture. If you like to keep things light and casual, your description should be less formal than it would be if your workplace is more conventional.

That said, it's important to avoid loading your description down with cliches and jargon. Don't give your job titles cutesy names like "happiness officer" and "content Jedi." Potential employees will be searching for work using the job titles they know best. A simple, direct approach works best.

Emphasize Your Purpose

If you're trying to attract a younger demographic, it's important to pay close attention to what they want. Millennials, who will make up 75 percent of the workforce by 2025, want more than a paycheck. They want to know that the work they do makes a difference in the lives of others.

A corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy is essential to winning these younger workers. In fact, one survey found that 64 percent of millennials wouldn't take a job without one. But knowing your company's mission and stressing it in your job descriptions can entice candidates from all generations.

Be Flexible

The pandemic has accelerated the push toward remote work. But not all positions can be done from home. For those that can, make sure you build in at least occasional work-from-home days if you want to choose from a wider pool of talent. But flexibility goes beyond working from home. Today's workers want flexible shifts and more overall control of the way they do their work.

One thing that can set your business apart from competitors is your support for parents. Building in extra sick days, offering assistance with caregiving costs, and extending maternity and paternity leave beyond one or two months can give you an edge.

Be Location-Agnostic

As with working from home, remote work isn't an option for every type of job. If you're hiring in manufacturing or retail, for instance, the employee will need to commute to a building every day. But for positions that can be done from anywhere, going beyond your geographic boundaries can give you access to a wider tool pool, and a wider talent pool will help you find the absolute best.

A remote approach is even more valuable if you're hiring for a very specialized position. There may be a limited number of people who have that skill, and what are the chances they live near your office? A remote mindset lets you track down those specialists no matter where they're located.

Recruit Proactively

If you wait until you have an opening, then blast a job announcement out to the world, you'll be forced to rely solely on those who are actively looking. Instead, consider making recruiting an ongoing process. Network within your field and remain on the lookout for people who would be a great fit for your team. You may meet someone at an industry conference who's the perfect fit.

Another great way to get the best people is to turn your existing team members into recruiters. Incentivize them to recommend your company to their friends who would be a great fit. Offer a bonus for any successful referral to get the best results.

Rely on Professional Recruiters

A professional recruiter can increase your chances of getting a good fit. You'll have someone who gets to know your company and exactly what you want in a team member. Over time, this recruiter can be on the lookout for potential team members, even when you don't have an opening.

By using a professional recruiter, you'll also have access to a pool of talent in your industry. Recruiters keep a database of top talent and can usually find at least a small pool of professionals in their specialty areas for you to consider.

Express Pros recruits for businesses in a variety of industries, including professional, light industrial, and office services. Call us at (615) 441-8898 to find out how we can help you find the best talent for your business.