So you have a great work environment, a competitive salary and benefits package. What else can you do to improve your hiring strategy? You probably put a lot of energy into making sure your employees are comfortable, but it’s all to easy to forget about job applicants who are trying to become employees. Here are some simple tips that can help you extend a friendly hand to candidates, which will help you end up with better employees.
Be clear in your job description. This is the easiest one on the list! By asking for specific skills and education, a candidate can save time by not applying for a job that they’re not qualified for. The more specific a job description is, the better a job candidate can evaluate whether or not it’s a fit for them.
Make your application easy to complete. Nothing is more tedious than having to enter your job history into a form, one piece of information at a time. Consider using an online form that can pull the information from a job seeker’s uploaded resume.
Return phone calls. Your time is valuable, so it wouldn’t make much sense to call everyone who submits an application. But once a candidate is further along in the hiring process, it’s common courtesy to return their phone calls. Candidates know how valuable your time is, which is why a simple act of common courtesy can mean so much.
Engage your candidates. If a job applicant approaches you or someone at your company in person, make sure they’re treated well. Eye contact and a smile go a long way. If you’re communicating with them on the phone, try to chat with them about something beyond scheduling. Treat them like a person, not a resume.
Be a good host. When someone comes in for an interview, it’s common practice to offer them a bottle of water or a cup of coffee. But what about when they leave? If it’s a local candidate, consider giving them a company mug or t-shirt. If a candidate traveled from out of town, consider providing a restaurant suggestion or directions to their hotel or the airport.
Work with hiring experts. Partnering with a recruiting firm will not only save you time, but it can save you money as well. Recruiters have large networks of qualified candidates who have already been screened and interviewed. They will be able to quickly pare down down your candidate pool and then provide you with short-list of candidates for you to interview.
What else can you do to improve your hiring strategy in 2013? Get in touch with a specialist at Contemporary Staffing to develop a plan for the coming year.