Even with unemployment rates higher than we’d all like to see, searching for potential employees is still a challenge. In fact, a survey of human resources professionals reports that recruitment is a top concern for 2021. Just as you have a specific set of ideals in mind for that perfect position-to-candidate fit, so do your prospective hires. These can be broken down into four categories: safety, opportunity, culture, and leadership.
Safety
Public health guidelines have pushed employee safety to the forefront in unprecedent ways. Expect potential employees to ask you about what you do to keep people safe before and after the job offer is extended. Flexibility in the hiring process, such as through virtual interviewing, shows that you want to protect both your managers and recruits from unnecessary contact. While candidates may have previously considered safety in the workplace as a fairly static employer metric, they’re now looking at it as a possible differentiator.
Stability
Among many lessons, 2020 taught employees that there is no such thing as a sure thing regarding job security. Potential employees want assurances that the job they’re applying for will be around in six months or six years. Not many employers can make that kind of guarantee, so the next best thing is to highlight opportunities for new hires to develop their careers at your company. If you have a strong promote-from-within policy, talk about how other employees have benefitted from it. If you offer custom training paths, show candidates the types of courses you offer that will contribute to their personal development.
Culture
The “we’re all in this together” mindset has had a positive influence on job seekers. Teamwork is important – candidates want to feel like they’re part of something bigger than their individual contributions. More potential employees are concerned with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) than ever before. According to research cited by Monster.com, 62% of people say they may turn down a job offer that comes from a culture that doesn’t support a diverse workforce. Let candidates know what your company does to create and maintain a respectful and productive work environment for everyone.
Leadership
As a recruiter, hiring manager, or leader in your company, you matter. From the very first contact you have with a potential employee to the moment you extend a job offer, you set the tone for the entire company. How you treat your potential employees tells them exactly how you expect them to treat their co-workers and customers once they’re hired.
