Recruiting during a recession can be an arduous task that requires an innovative approach. As skilled workers and qualified candidates become increasingly scarce in the proposed job market, employers must find new ways to attract and retain the best talent available.
The following are four effective recruitment practices during a recession that employers should keep in mind.
1. Leverage referrals: The referral system is a powerful and proven way to find qualified candidates who have already been evaluated and recommended by one of your employees. Leveraging referrals will reduce the time and money spent recruiting, as well as give you insight into a candidate’s skill level.
2. Focus on skills, not experience: Don’t be dissuaded by a sparse resume. Talented candidates may not have any prior job experience but possess a wealth of hard and soft skills that would be beneficial to your business. Organizations should identify candidates based on criteria such as computer programming skills, customer service experience, interpersonal skills, and more.
3. Create a positive recruitment experience: Employers should try to make the recruitment process as streamlined, comfortable, and inviting as possible. This can be done by making clear job descriptions, having open lines of communication, and focusing on candidates’ strengths rather than their weaknesses. Additionally, the recruitment process should be optimized so that employers can put the right people in the right positions in the least amount of time.
4. Leverage your digital channels: Employers should take advantage of social media, online platforms, and job boards to spread the message of their new open job positions. This will help to get your message in front of more potential candidates, ultimately expanding the candidate pool for employers to choose from.
When recruiting during a recession, employers should focus on leveraging technology, building relationships, creating a positive recruitment experience, and finding skills instead of experience.
These practices should help employers identify and hire the best candidate for the job despite the impressive competition.
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