Blog Post: Note to HR – Recruiting in Today’s Economy

Everyone realizes how tough it is for job seekers in today’s economy.  What about recruiters?  You’re getting 100 resumes instead of the normal 25.  You have MBA’s applying for entry level jobs.  People follow up constantly.  You deal with internal issues like transfers and layoffs.  Wow!

My first suggestion is take a deep breath and survey the situation.  Remember, things could be worse.  You could have zero qualified applicants and upset hiring managers staring over your shoulder.  Look at this as an opportunity to find talented people.  The results can have a dramatic impact on your organization.  Seize the chance to help your company grow and succeed in a down economy.  Imagine sitting down with your boss in several years and being able to say, “Yes, that was me who hired Maria, Brian, Kathy and Luther back in 2009.  They were great hires that helped our company survive the economic downturn.”

Take a look at the most successful people in your company.  What attributes do they have that make them such a great fit?  List these out and create interview questions that uncover these things in your applicants.  Consider pre-screening questions to help narrow your list.  Think about personality tests.  You want people who fit your profile and are willing to work hard.  Every company in today’s economy needs people who seek a challenge and strive to win.

Is it time to upgrade?  There are a lot talented people available in today’s market!  Yes, it can be difficult from a morale standpoint to replace existing employees with new people but think about what is best for your organization going forward?  Personally, I’d rather have people who fit the mold and work hard than cater to people happy to have a job.  You make the call. 

Lastly, make sure you develop a strong applicant pool.  Be honest and have good communication with the people you interact with right now.  Keep good notes.  Without a doubt, people will accept jobs they are not entirely happy with.  By keeping things professional, you’ll have a chance at these superstars when future positions open up.

Use the surplus of talent available today.  Hire the right people.  Position yourself for future hires.  Do these things and you’ll look forward to that meeting with your boss!