Not so long ago, filling up a vacant job position at a company was a relatively simple task for a recruiter. All it needed was writing a job description and posting it and then choosing from among the multiple applications that would come in.
However, in this time of talent shortage, an HR professional cannot afford to just sit back, hoping and waiting for applications to come in. There is a shortage of skilled employees, and it is the employers who need to stay ahead of the pack and show why they are worthy of being considered if they wish to pull in the most skilled employees. This challenge, along with many others, is something that the HR team will need to tackle as organizations worldwide head towards 2020. Here are a few strategies they could follow:
Define the job role properly
Getting the job done is impossible without the right person for the job. No organization can succeed without the skills and efforts of the employee, who is key to achieving its goals. It is thus critical to be clear about:
- What you are looking for in a candidate
- What you will offer the employee for his/her career growth
A job description that defines the duties and responsibilities well and is comprehensive in its coverage, is a great tool to attract the best candidates for the job. It should cover the skills sought in the potential hire and the rewards that could come the way of the person if performance is good.
Build the brand of the organization
An organization with high brand value is a great asset for a recruiter. Among the things that job applicants look for is how good the company is i.e. how strong a brand it has, its reputation in the market, and how it is known to operate. An HR professional could explain how joining the firm could boost the career of the candidate, given the brand strength of the firm. Along with this, it is good to detail the growth hierarchy, career path, opportunities for upskilling, and other incentives on offer.
Look to potential and not just experience
The past job experience of a candidate is an important criterion for selection. It is however not the only or the most important criterion. There are other aspects that need to be considered, such as:
- Soft skills: communication, motivation level, teamwork skills, ability to handle pressure, and others
- Willingness to learn new things
- Adaptability within a new job domain
Psychometric tests can help an HR professional to evaluate the potential a candidate offers, as part of the selection process. Considering only job experience could, in fact, lead an organization to miss out on the best candidate.
Tap previous job applicants
A great – and often missed – a source of good candidates is the pool of past job applicants. It is not uncommon to have a candidate who at one time was not found to be a good fit for a particular job profile, but could conceivably be a great choice for the profile currently under consideration. Maintaining a record of such candidates is advisable for these reasons. HR professionals can also use this record to contact candidates who may not be actively looking for a new job but may consider a switch if they like what is being offered.
Promote the company through videos
On a daily basis, five billion videos are watched on YouTube, 100 million hours of videos are watched on Facebook. Also, 260% more time is likely to be spent on a page with video content than with plain text, and a mail campaign and a video could lead to a 300% increase in click-through rate. Recruiters must create engaging video content that promotes the company brand and culture and attracts the best applicants.
Be tech-savvy
Candidates today are up to pace with the latest technology. The HR department cannot afford to be left behind and must tap the newest technological developments in recruitment, such as the use of AI. Social media also needs to be integrated into the application and hiring process, as most – if not all – candidates are active online.
Get certified
A key way to be ahead of the curve is to opt for an HR certification. A certified HR professional is equipped with the latest know-how in the field of human resources and can take strategic decisions when it comes to the process of identifying and hiring the best candidates for the roles at hand.
Heading into the last year of this decade, HR faces a number of challenges. But, being mindful of the suggested strategies could help the company stay ahead in the talent hunt!
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