The jobs report that came out this week was a breath of fresh air in a world that is really tired of living through a pandemic that just won’t go away. More than 943,000 jobs were added, and unemployment hit 5.4% which is lower than the expected 5.7%.
Jobs postings hit a new high, breaking previous records. Economic recovery is trending even amid the surge of the Delta variant.
All of this is great news for the economy and job seekers, but employers are having trouble finding qualified workers to fill their open positions. Candidates are in the driver’s seat, and employers need to change how they think about talent and recruitment.
Recruiting and Hiring are Back
When lockdowns hit, recruiting teams were among the first groups to be laid off or let go. Companies reasoned that since business was in freefall and hiring was paused, recruiters were expendable.
As it turned out, the recession wasn’t as bad as was first predicted. Three-quarters of companies are planning to hire aggressively and see it returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2021. These companies are scrambling to fill open positions, but they also need to rebuild their hiring department. They need to recruit recruiters to recruit new hires.
Revisit your Hiring Practices
Many companies are going back to pre-pandemic hiring practices as they begin their hiring surge. Resumes and educational experience leave many qualified candidates out of the running, and should be used as one tool in the process of recruiting, but not the sole criterium. For example, career switchers may not have the experience you are looking for, but they may have a great set of transferable skills that you would miss by skimming a resume.
To begin revamping your hiring process, take a close look at your open job descriptions. Clearly define the role and responsibilities and how the position impacts the company mission.
Revisit the filters on your search for candidates on the usual sites, like LinkedIn or one of the many other job sites. Expand your search by relaxing some of the filters. Keep in mind that remote work doesn’t require someone to be geographically close anymore.
Create a Good Candidate Experience
Make sure you are providing a good candidate experience. Even if you don’t hire someone, their experience with your company may impact your ability to attract qualified candidates in the future. Streamline the hiring process, be clear about next steps, and communicate with candidates each step of the way. Even if they are not a fit for the position, leave them feeling positive about the company and their encounter with you.
We are once again in a competitive talent market. The recruiting of the past won’t get you the candidates who can move you into the future. If you are rebuilding your recruiting department, consider adding a professional recruiter to complement your in-house team. It can help get you over this bump in the road and be an asset to your recruiting staff moving into the new normal.
