Recruitment is a nuanced process that requires extensive research, thorough procedures, and finesse in order to produce high-quality hires with regularity. With that in mind, here are our top three tips for effective recruitment:
Look internally before externally: there’s a good chance the best candidate for your position is already working for your organization. Internal candidates are already familiar with and contribute to your corporate culture and goals. Given their past success within your organization, it is reasonable to expect they will continue to excel in a new position.
Reach out to “passive” candidates: there is a good chance your ideal candidate is not actively looking for a new job and will not respond to your job board ad. Why? Because they’re likely already employed elsewhere. After all, why wouldn’t your competitors also want to employ your ideal candidate? Therefore, effective recruiting requires you to look outside of your applicant pool for top talent. Encourage your staff to attend industry conferences and participate in professional organizations; develop relationships with local university business schools (or other relevant departments); search social media sites (i.e. LinkedIn) for strong resumes from candidates who might not be actively looking for a new job, and encouraging your employees to refer people they know or are connected to are all important mechanisms through which to expand your recruitment network.
Hire the sure thing: according to two authors and experts, you should hire the person who is already excelling in doing the exact job in your industry. Past success, in other words, is the best indicator of future success.