As the labor market continues to tighten, more and more companies are struggling to find the new employees they need. Many of the traditional recruitment approaches aren’t ideal when it’s a job seekers’ market, drawing in candidates who aren’t ideal for the role or repeatedly tapping a subpar talent pool.
Luckily, there are things you can do to find the right employees for your vacant positions. If you are finding recruiting challenging, here are some tips for overcoming the difficulties you are experiencing.
Adopt a Forward-Thinking Approach
Many companies are reactive when it comes to hiring. They don’t begin the recruitment process until the need exists, even if there were indications weeks or months before they actually started recruiting. As a result, the pressure to hire quickly mounts fast, making a challenging situation even harder.
With a forward-thinking, proactive approach, some of the stress surrounding hiring can be mitigated. Begin by learning to predict your needs in advance. For example, review past staffing data to identify peak periods that require a larger workforce. You can also examine turnover metrics to anticipate when vacancies may arise.
Then, start recruiting before the need actually surfaces. This allows you to initiate the recruitment before the situation is dire, and enables you to give yourself enough time to make smart hiring decisions.
Hire for Potential, Not Pure Skills
While every role is associated with specific must-have skills, that doesn’t mean candidate skill sets should be your only focus. If you have the ability to train certain hard skills, look for job seekers who have the potential to thrive with the right guidance. This can include a willingness to learn, passion for the field, and a positive attitude. Additionally, a strong cultural fit could indicate the candidate has the ability to excel in your environment, making them worth the training investment.
If you aren’t sure what you need to find, consider what your top performers bring to the table in these areas. Examine their soft skills, attitude and cultural fit, then use those as guides for identifying job seekers with potential who may need a little assistance with their technical capabilities.
Partner With a Staffing Firm
When you need high-quality candidates quickly, partnering with a staffing firm can be the key to your hiring success. Recruitment agencies maintain robust networks filled with skilled professionals, many of which have gone through several pre-screening processes before they were listed as a viable candidate for placement.
By working with a staffing firm, you gain access to top talent that may not be a part of your existing talent pool. As a result, you are reaching a different group of job seekers.
Plus, recruitment agencies are hiring specialists. They understand the nuances of recruiting in today’s climate and have access to leading technologies that can streamline your search. This enables you to connect with leading professionals faster, ensuring you can secure the best new hire possible faster than ever before.
If you would like to learn more about recruiting in a tight labor market or want to partner with a skilled staffing firm, the professionals at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our recruitment specialists today and see how our hiring expertise can benefit you.
