It may seem something of a paradox, but challenging times, such as a recession, can be a very good time to find talent to recruit into your organisation.
With a wealth of candidates on the market, many of whom would not ordinarily be available, forward-thinking managers are taking the opportunity to find talent and build their talent pool in preparation for the inevitable upturn.
But how do you find the right talent? How do you position your organisation? What support is available? In this guide we provide some practical pointers.
1 Don’t compromise
Find the right person rather than the available person. Don’t feel compelled to recruit someone if they don’t have the competencies and cultural fit you are looking for, regardless of if they are available immediately. A survey from the Equal Opportunities Commission estimates that it costs a business anything between £1,000 and £28,000 if they make the wrong hire. Add to that the impact on existing colleagues of having the wrong person in post, the potential decrease in productivity and the damage to your reputation as a hiring manager; it’s a costly business. On the plus side, recognise that if a person is willing to leave their current job to join you now in tough times, they’re a lot more likely to stay with you when times are good – as long as you treat them well.
2 Look for genuine enthusiasm
Take care to spot the difference between enthusiasm and someone whose long-held aspirations fit with your organisation. There are plenty of people who need a job and will fight hard to get one, but do they have a genuine desire and passion to work for your organisation? According to Badenoch & Clark’s Employment Study, one in five candidates (19%) apply for roles without doing any research into the employer or their own suitability. To ensure you make the right hire, you need to look beyond a great CV and polished interview technique, and find the person who sees you as part of their career path.