Hiring the best employees is key to your success as an employer. When the job market is booming, finding suitable candidates is easy. However, locating and attracting top talent in today’s short market can be more challenging.
Here are five tips for hiring staff in the current market
1. Respond to potential candidates ASAP.
When candidates apply for a position, they are you apply for multiple roles simultaneously. If they don’t hear back from an employer promptly, they may move on to another opportunity. Therefore, when you have an application from a candidate you are interested in, you should either call them to discuss their application or respond with an interview request immediately. If you wait, you might have already lost the candidate to another company. Conversely, if you have a candidate application whom you are not interested in, send them an unsuccessful email immediately many after candidates complain about companies who don’t do the courtesy of even replying to their applications. Timely responses will help keep the recruitment process moving forward smoothly and efficiently.
2. Engage with a recruiter
Engaging with a professional recruiter can be highly beneficial to ensure you find the most qualified candidates for your job openings. When you provide your recruiter with a comprehensive and accurate job description, they can better understand the scope of the role and the type of candidate you are looking for. This can save you time and energy in the long run, as you will not have to sift through resumes or interview candidates who are not a good fit for the position. By working closely with a recruiter, you can develop a relationship that will be helpful when hiring additional staff.
3. Lock in an interview with the candidate ASAP
If you’re looking to interview a candidate, it’s essential to act fast. Chances are, they are also waiting on interview times from other companies, so you’ll want to get in first and become known for your urgency! However, you can still maintain quality for speed. Make sure you are still taking the time to review applications and compare candidates before scheduling the interview. Then, once you’ve found the right person for the job, don’t hesitate to lock in that interview!
4. Provide feedback ASAP
It’s essential to provide feedback to candidates as soon as possible after an interview, even if they are unsuccessful. Candidates appreciate knowing where they stand, which helps keep the recruitment process moving smoothly. If you are working with a recruiter, ensure they promptly contact the candidate straight after the interview for their feedback and relay this to your company. This will help ensure a positive experience for the candidate and the hiring team.
5. Make decisions quickly
Make the offer or reject the candidate quickly after the interview. You will leave the candidate feeling frustrated with the business if you take 2-3 weeks to make this decision and the business’s brand is affected. If you delay, the candidate will have already started looking at other offers, and you may lose out on hiring that top talent.
URGENCY, URGENCY, URGENCY!
The businesses that are thriving in the current market and making hires are the ones that act fast! I’m not saying you rush your decisions, but if you like someone, get back to them quickly, or somebody else will. If you decide they are unsuitable for the role, let them know immediately! Don’t leave people wondering and waiting for weeks. If your business is currently acting fast, implementing all the above steps, and still struggling to find staff, it might be time to discuss how a recruiter can assist with your hiring needs.
Sharyn Kane
Recruitment Consultant
Nexus Talent