The Great Resignation has been crippling millions of businesses since September 2021. With 3 percent of working professionals voluntarily leaving their positions in November, it’s crucial to consider this a company problem and not just a human resources challenge anymore.
In this time when millions of adults are quitting their jobs for better work-life balance, HR departments can’t simply increase salaries and hope the strategy works. Hope is not a strategy. The labor market has drastically changed over the past two years, so it’s time for leaders to intervene and address the phenomenon. Working closely with the human resources department will help improve hiring processes and employee retention.
The first step to revamping the hiring and recruitment strategy is to ensure it accommodates today’s job seekers’ needs. Also, reading a workplace culture book can provide significant insight to help improve hiring strategies.
On that note, here are some critical strategies to heighten the hiring process.
Abandon Same Job Descriptions
Boilerplate job descriptions make the recruitment process faster and easier. But if an entrepreneur has been using them for the past two years, they’re likely not as effective as they used to be. It’s high time to reinvent their job posts.
Rather than keeping a “professional” look and feel—it can eventually sound overused and boring—try taking a fun, fresh, and more exciting approach.
Eliminate In-Person Interviews
The COVID outbreak in 2020 made virtual hiring the preferred way to attract and hire talent. But now that the world is opening back up and allowing face-to-face gatherings, going back to the way things were before could sabotage the recruitment efforts.
It’s a known fact that skilled workers have become a priceless commodity since the Great Resignation. Mandating them to commute to an interview during work hours will limit the number of applicants the business will attract.
Combat this challenge by making remote recruitment a standard process. Fortunately, there are various ways for businesses to do this today. For example, they can hold virtual interviews through videoconferencing tools or virtual open houses using webinar software programs. Online recruitment will speed up the hiring process, diversify recruitment, and save money. Also, reading an excellent workplace culture book can provide more insights.
Involve Team Members in the Hiring Process
HR leaders are naturally in charge of evaluating résumés, interviewing candidates, and discussing top candidates. But if this arrangement has not worked for the business’ recruitment and employee retention, involving team members may be the key to boosting the strategy.
As the business’s existing employees, they will have a sound understanding of what it takes to succeed in the organization. Maximize this by asking for their opinions from the beginning. More often than not, they’ll be able to share insights that will help businesses find the right fit. When the organization engages them in the process, they are more committed to the success of the candidate who is ultimately hired. It also establishes strong connections for the new team member from the get-go.
Avoid Overemphasize Efficiency
Hiring managers are often under time pressure, especially if the role they’re trying to fill is crucial.
However, if the organization treats the hiring and recruitment process as a chore that needs to be done as quickly as possible, it’s time to change. This mindset can easily make applicants feel like they’re just a number in a large pool of applicants.
Remember that candidates are individuals, too, and they’re likely considering other offers aside from the organization’s. With this, find new ways to make the hiring process as enjoyable and straightforward as possible for them. Use convenient application forms, only ask for necessary information, host remote interview sessions, and most of all, be respectful of their time.
Conclusion
Highly skilled workers are essential for every organization’s growth. But with the Great Resignation and the pandemic continuously shaping today’s labor market, they can’t expect to follow the same old practices and get great results.
Instead, organizations must ensure their hiring strategies keep up with the times. Putting the “human” back in human resources and speaking to today’s job seekers will help them attract great talents and improve employee retention. Reading a great workplace culture book will help HR attract top talent easily.
