Pivoting Your Recruitment Strategies For the New Era

With the pandemic in its sixth month, it’s hard to believe the US unemployment rate was 3.5% just last February.

Flash forward a few months: the jobless rate has hit 10.2% (in July) while the job “quits rate” (a measure of those who leave their jobs voluntarily) is down to 1.6% in May (from 2.3% a year earlier).

All the same, in the midst of the current economic and public health uncertainty, a good number of companies and organizations are still continuing with their job recruitment efforts.

Yet with the labor market having turned upside down in a short period of time, how can employers pivot strategically and set new tactics to attract the people they need for their core business operations?

Here is a set of cost-efficient, practical ideas to consider:

• Before you begin a recruiting effort, don’t overlook the importance of your company’s job descriptions. Job descriptions should detail clearly the position’s title, overtime status (exempt or non-exempt), essential functions, skills and qualifications needed to conduct the work, plus physical demands and the job’s specific work environment.
• With the high number of unemployed job seekers, be prepared to handle a higher-than-normal flow of incoming resumes: ensure your internal hiring systems, including maintenance of internal records and applicant tracking tools, are ready and updated.
• Target passive job seekers (those who are in the job market but not proactively applying for open positions) via social media, related digital communications tools and professional associations.
• To look for pools of qualified candidates for your open positions, consider a proactive approach called “recruitment research:” either via an outsourcing arrangement or internal hiring managers, use Internet tools to research where your best-fit candidates may be, such as in professional association listings; trade show and conference listings; and in competitor organizations.
• React quickly when qualified candidates apply for your open positions – these applicants move fast and may be committed elsewhere before you’re able to make contact.

If you have questions about or need assistance with your recruitment strategy, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 443-741-3900.