How many times have you logged
onto your favorite new blog or social media platform, picked up your local
paper, dialed into your local news radio program, or caught the news headlines
on your most watched TV station only to be barraged with economic doom and
gloom?
Quite simply put, you have
two options: You can buy into the negative
propaganda being forecasted in the media or you can take some initiative to
make a difference in your organization.
This starts with your overall recruitment strategy and employee
retention programs.
In 2008/ 2009, and recently
at the beginning of 2015, a number of perspective clients had indicated that due to the number of candidates
on the market, they are going to recruit on their own as opposed to having a
specialized recruitment firm manage the process and identify candidates on
their behalf. They are right about one
fact; there were more candidates
available in the market. That was
clearly evident by scanning any of the on-line recruitment job boards.
What is actually happening in
the market is that the majority of the candidates available through on line job
boards are individuals you may not necessarily want on your team. There is always that “diamond in the rough”,
however these candidates tend to be the first wave that have been released from
their employers due to the changes in the market, and they are also the same
candidates having the most difficulty with finding a rewarding new career. Companies tend to not release their top
tiered employees at the first signs of economic challenge. Whether these employees are in human
resources, sales, marketing, or operations, top tiered employees are part of the longer
term strategic plan and retention program for the company.
If you still decide to take a
run at the on-line job boards, be prepared for an ineffective use of your time as you
start to review the plethora of real estate agents, mortgage brokers, investment
advisors, insurance agents, and software sales reps…..all of whom are looking
for a short term fix until the markets turn around again.
Partnering with a reputable
recruitment firm that specializes in the area of your current recruitment needs
will enable you to have access to top tiered candidates who are passively
seeking a new career, enable you to have access to potential candidates from
direct competitors, and be able to attract candidates with transferable skill
sets if you are looking for an individual outside of your industry or sector.
An economic downturn is an
ideal time for change. The market is
seeing more leadership positions becoming available simply due to companies
realizing that they may have a better opportunity to attract direct or indirect
competitors to their company. Another
benefit to the market is the opportunity to upgrade your sales and marketing
teams, or to look at initiating new relationships with affiliated businesses
and suppliers.
There is no hiding the fact
that a number of industries and companies are being affected in today’s market. How your company evolves through this
challenge will in part be decided by being proactive with your recruitment
strategies and ensuring that you have access to the most qualified and
successful candidates on the market, as opposed to being able to attract the
best of the unemployed.
Allan Welyk
President & Managing
Partner
Fusion Recruitment Group
