Hiring When Unemployment Is Your Biggest Competition

It's been a while since I've felt compelled to write, but these are times like no other! Part of me feels guilty for thinking about how to most effectively get people working again...but then again, life will resume one way or another and if we can be part of much needed positive results, we want in!

As if we needed another hurdle to slither over, on top of everything else business owners are facing, we now have unemployment as our biggest competition. I'm not saying I'm against the extra help for people because I'm not even a little bit against it...but it for sure puts a wrench in hiring. So that means business owners need to know how to entice the right candidates. Wait...stop rolling your eyes, I'm going to discuss other ways beyond raising wages (Even though that should happen too).

It happens more often than not that the person doing the hiring spends the most time with the candidate focusing on the money aspect which results in the candidate not seeing the value of joining the company and turns down the offer or ends it prior to an offer being made.

Living through this Pandemic has definitely made people reflect on their lives and what actually matters to them. When death is all around you and lurking in at any given moment, you realize all the ways you haven't really lived. THESE ARE THE SELLING POINTS OF THE FUTURE! It is your job to identify what you can offer to people that'll actually improve their lives. If you think it's the crappy wages you've been offering, you're about to struggle in the hiring department like never before. Remember, right now most people in hourly positions and many in salaried positions are making more money staying at home than returning to work for a few months. That's such a sobering sentence!

When the time comes and you're able to safely open your business up, you're going to most likely need to staff up. Let's talk about how to get the right people to join your company, even if it means temporarily earning less than staying at home collecting unemployment. Really, it comes down to knowing and believing why anybody would choose to work for you...why would they join your company?

Why join your company?

No joke, most business owners can't answer this question fully when I ask them...and I ask every single potential client before deciding to work with them. Make a list of reasons a person should work for you (Only 1 can be pay) and each bullet point must be something you offer, not why they need to work :) A few suggestions of things you can and should offer:

1. Work life balance

This isn't some hippity dippity nonsense, it's real and it matters. We have turned down working with businesses because of their lack of care for the employees. To expect people to work 70+ hours a week consistently is the recipe for burnout, which ultimately leads to high turnover and a horrid reputation. Working that many hours should be a rare occasion, not the norm. If they never have time to enjoy the fruits of their labor with the people they love, why would they put the time in like that? Believe me when I tell you, people have gained a new perspective since Covid 19. Many people have spent actual time with their family and realized they may actually like these people and want to be a bigger part rather than just a paycheck. Offer them the opportunity to put in the work as well as have time with their families. If you can't do that...maybe 13 weeks from now, you'll try again?

2. Positive culture

People have realized that happiness actually matters, and in the workplace happiness comes in the form of positive culture. If you dreaded going into work due to low pay, a nasty Manager, feeling overworked and underappreciated...why would you take a job or go back to a job over receiving unemployment? You wouldn't...it's that simple. Some will say, "Oh yes I would, working is the right way blah blah blah..." you're full of it or a total moron. A positive culture begins with you. The candidate needs to see that your positive culture isn't just a paragraph in your mandatory employee handbook. They need to see that you live it, day in and day out. If they see it in you...they'll want in! People will hold out now in order to join a happier environment...because they can, financially wait it out. Make it undeniable for them to join your company.

3. Training

This is a big one! Training doesn't need to be overly expensive or complicated. People want to grow, personally and professionally. When you spend time and resources on your employees, it tells them that you care about them and that you believe in them. This is the thing employees care about most (as long as they are making enough money to take care of their responsibilities). When you begin hiring again, communicating your training projections thoroughly to the candidate will help them to see enough reason to end their unemployment and join your team ASAP. Help them see the long term possibilities and how it'll help them achieve their goals and make the decision a no brainer.

4. Benefits

Get a real life human benefits package together. Medical, Paid personal time off, annual paid vacation, company discounts, gym membership, investment classes...create a package that will lead to them affording a healthier and wealthier lifestyle. The more you care about them, the more they'll care about you. Will some people burn you? Yep, but so what...most will be gracious, grateful, and reciprocate the care. You can't base doing the right thing on a few jackasses. This is a big factor in getting the right people on your team.

5. Show them the big picture

People crave being part of something bigger than them. The most effective way to get the right people to leave their unemployment check and join your team is to clearly communicate what the company goals are and where they fit in on them. What role can they play in ensuring the goals are achieved and once achieved, what's next? We are naturally hopeful and want to feel excitement...and to be part of that excitement is key. The best way to show others excitement is to feel it yourself. Before you interview anybody, remind yourself why you are excited about what you offer and what is to come!

The future is absolutely uncertain, nobody really knows what normal will look like, but one thing remains the same...basic human needs. For the right opportunity, people will absolutely cancel their unemployment and join your team. The majority of people want to earn their money because the pride that comes along with it is unmatched. The difference right now is that they can hold out for the right or even just a better opportunity. Give it to them!

About us: We are passionate about Leadership and specialize in connecting the right Leaders with the right Businesses. Through years of Training/Coaching Leaders across the USA and Recruiting every position from entry level - CEO, we've learned a thing or two about what makes a business and a person right for each other. We are available to discuss how we can assist you in hiring the right people, whether it's doing the hiring or training your hiring team. Contact us today to schedule a call.

We know how scary and frustrating these past months have been and hope you and yours are well. Like everyone else, we are taking it one day at a time and doing our best to focus on positive solutions and results.

If you need help, ask for it. If you can help somebody, extend your hand! Together we will get through this, stronger than ever. #HiringAdvice #Employment #Covid19 #Unemployment

Debbie Dickerson

Co Founder of: The Restaurant Talent Group & The Houston Talent Group