Hindsight is 20/20

Attracting Talent For Your Business During a Crisis

By: Jay Rogers

COVID-19 brought about sudden, unprecedented challenges for businesses all around the world. Although many of us would prefer to just leave it in the past, it’s important we use it as a learning experience. The age-old saying, “hindsight is 20/20” couldn’t be more true for the year 2020. It’s so much easier to analyze and evaluate situations while looking back, so let’s do just that. As business owners or hiring managers, we’re able to take away many valuable lessons from this novel disease.

This health crisis created a sense of urgency and presented us with forced innovation in the workplace, especially when hiring inspired talent. Did you know? An estimated 68% of unemployed workers collected more on unemployment than they earned while working. This, of course, led to an increase in no-shows in the workplace and a lack of applicants for job openings. At SelecSource, we were there every step of the way to help our clients overcome this hurdle, so we have compiled a list of lessons learned to help you work through the challenges at hand. Here are five strategies for filling open positions during a crisis. 

1. Update your job postings 

In unprecedented times like this, things are rapidly changing and so should your job descriptions. Some fear exposure to COVID-19, so it’s important to reassure your job applicants that their health and safety are your top concern. If you don’t, another potential employer will. Write out the policies and procedures that your business is following to minimize the risk of exposure. This includes: social distancing guidelines, staggered shifts, face-covering requirements, enhanced cleaning procedures, and reduced customer interaction. Then follow and enforce those policies and procedures to make sure everyone feels safe while at work.  

2. Offer Incentives

If you’re struggling to attract the right talent, it’s time to consider an hourly wage increase. If this isn’t an option for your business, you may want to consider offering a signing bonus or referral bonus to stand out in the hiring process. Offering incentives show candidates that you put your people first, which leads to a more positive workplace environment. 

3. Adopt Perks that Support Employee Health

Now, more than ever, our population is putting an emphasis on their mental, physical and emotional health. You, as an employer, should too! Consider unique perks that compete with the increased unemployment benefits and set you apart from your competition. Some examples of this include: easy to access mental health resources, child care, telemedicine, extended paid sick leave, subscriptions to online fitness programs, and free snack boxes or healthy lunches. Showing that you care about your employees’ well-being goes a long way. 

4. Career Growth 

Although many have relied on unemployment, they are now starting to be reminded that this check is only temporary. But you, as an employer, are not. This is a great time to remind candidates that your business can offer career growth internally and long-term stability beyond unemployment. Emphasize this in your job postings and during interviews give specific examples of how employees have advanced their careers. 

5. Flexibility 

Flexibility is the name of the game! A willingness to meet in the middle with your employees shows that you care! Try offering flexible work hours, work-from-home opportunities, or additional breaks for your hard-working employees to take off their face coverings. Compassion goes a long way!

Let SelecSource Handle Your Hiring Needs

Use your resources and follow these key strategies to set yourself up for success; attracting more candidates, making the right hires, and getting back to business as usual! Give SelecSource a call to help manage all of your hiring needs. We are talent-inspired!

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