recruitment strategy

Once upon a time the only means recruiters effectively used to have was the tried and tested newspaper advertisement, preferably in the Saturday edition. Now there seem to be endless ways of recruiting people, but is this a luxury or a necessity? In any event, the need for a well thought out recruitment strategy is growing.

When a role needs to be filled, the approach that is usually implemented is to ensure that the vacancy is exposed to as many people as possible. Advertisements are placed on job boards, in newspapers and on corporate websites, and the vacancy might be promoted at career fairs and educational establishments. This strategy assumes that candidates put themselves forward by submitting their application, which is followed by a selection procedure. There is nothing actually wrong with this approach, but there is a chance of ending up with a relatively large number of unsuitable candidates. Moreover, you can never be absolutely sure that the right candidate has applied and whether you really have selected the best one. The right recruitment software and useful tools such as e-assessments and video interviews can be useful in this process.

A proactive recruitment strategy is becoming ever more important in the quest for talent. High potentials are often not on the lookout, and must be actively sought and approached. This process begins even before a vacancy arises. A proactive recruitment strategy is all about maintaining networks. The focus is thereby not on the largest possible target group, but just on the actual specialists required, such as by verifying who has a strong Internet presence, who the speakers are at specific events and by maintaining contact with established names. Can they tip off coaches? Which students stand out at educational establishments? The employee network can also be consulted via referral recruitment (link to referral recruitment page).

A clear employer brand is an essential component of a good recruitment strategy. Attractive employers not only draw higher level candidates, they also find it easier to secure talent. It is therefore not just the experience during the application procedure that matters, but also what is offered in terms of professional development and career paths. People^xs offers a range of different talent management solutions that can contribute to this process.