The global pandemic of 2020 has thrown the business community for a loop. Many restaurants had to completely rethink their business models by adding delivery, selling produce, and finding ways to facilitate outdoor dining. Many white-collar firms were forced to allow and facilitate remote work. Business leaders around the globe were forced to think differently in order to survive. Now, we see the light at the end of the tunnel and businesses who took the opportunity to restructure – or just open back up – are beginning to ramp up hiring. We see these as the Top Three Talent Imperatives for 2021.
Know the Market
Reading beyond the headlines for an understanding of the market is critical to your recruiting success. Of course, on a macroscopic level, unemployment may be higher than normal (at 6.7% in November 2020), but things at the local level may be very different. Business leaders must take the time to understand their specific market. They must know their competition. And they must be tuned in to what the unemployment picture looks like for the candidates they are looking to hire. For example, if you are looking to hire people with hospitality backgrounds in one of the places hard hit by COVID – think New York City and Chicago – your candidate pool is likely to be flush. Whereas the same is not true in many cities in Florida. Knowing the market is key to creating a robust Talent Acquisition Strategy.
Become the Employer of Choice
Job seekers today, regardless of their current employment status, are looking for more than just a paycheck. Along with a competitive salary and benefits package, employees are seeking a safe work environment, flexibility, Diversity and Equity, rewarding work, a company culture that matches their values, good communication from the company, and the list goes on. None of those things cost money but they may cost the time, effort, and energy of leadership to ensure that employees have an engaging work environment where they can show up as their best selves. The investment in reinventing or strengthening your place in the market pays measurable dividends for years in terms of lower turnover and higher productivity.
Avoid Candidate Selection Pitfalls
They’re perfect! You knew it the moment you saw the resume and the phone screen confirmed that feeling. This candidate is EXACTLY who you have been looking for to fill that open role. You meet them in person (or via Zoom), they look the part, and every answer to every question confirms your first impression. So why did their performance not meet your expectations? Why did they resign for a “better offer” after only a few months? Confirmation Bias is one of the most common candidate selection pitfalls that can have a dramatic impact on your business. Hiring the wrong person negatively impacts the customer experience, other team members (they must pick up the slack), productivity, and ultimately, profitability. Business leaders must train themselves and their hiring managers on interviewing techniques that mitigate bias and help themselves hire Top Talent every time.
A properly resourced HR department helps businesses drive tangible results. That is especially true when it comes to Talent Acquisition. PuzzleHR becomes a part of our clients HR department and helps develop and execute strategies to successfully navigate the ever-changing employment landscape. Find out how we can help you solve your company’s Talent Acquisition puzzle.
