By guest author Jay Weiss of JGI Consultants
The recruiting process can be time consuming, but it is not only necessary to find the right talent to fit within your organization but an important first piece of the employee life-cycle. Once a new employee is in place, there are more things you can do to ensure that the perfect match becomes a productive staff member.
In order to recruit and retain talented candidates, Human Resources management must match the process to the type and level of employee they are hiring – one size does not necessarily fit all.
This is an important strategic process – e.g., you probably want to treat senior executives differently than the mass hiring of first-level employees though many organizations overuse technology and simply don’t. The recruiting process itself is actually the first impression the candidate will have of the company. The message you send at that crucial time sets the tone for what the candidate thinks of the organization as well as what will be expected of the candidate’s future performance at the company.
Another recruiting challenge companies face is that while there may be a huge pool of available candidates, these trying economic times make it more difficult to attract and keep the most talented individuals. If the company is unable to offer big salaries or bonuses and other perks, you can try to explore more creative solutions. One option might be to offer a better work-life balance. Figuring out what work arrangements and benefits are important to the candidate might prove to be the factor that seals the deal for them to join your company. Working with them on these issues will go a long way in encouraging them to work with you. Creating a proper work-life balance that fits the individual and the organization will make for a happier, more engaged employee environment that can also be more cost effective.
An Human Resource (HR) manager’s work does not end once a candidate is hired.
What’s more important and often overlooked is retaining that talent.
Onboarding--the process of ensuring new hires feel welcome and prepared in their new positions while carrying out the company’s mission--is a very critical process that can easily be overlooked or even botched. HR representatives often work with a new employee for a few days and then just move along to their next recruit. This can potentially harm the candidate’s impression of the company and compromise their ability to do their job well. During the employee’s first week, month, or even year at the firm, it’s your job to pave the way and make the employee as comfortable, welcomed and as informed as possible.
Making the new person feel that he or she is part of an organization and building a career with the company makes them want to be there. It will help them become a productive employee who helps the company achieve its long-term goals.
For more information on becoming an employer of choice, read this article.