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TL;DR
Hiring has never been harder—with AI-polished resumes, inflation, and shifting employee expectations. This post breaks down the latest staffing trends, innovative recruiting tactics, and retention strategies to help you attract and keep top talent.
Major trends impacting staffing
Today’s job market presents two major trends that are shaping how businesses hire. On one hand, applicants have a multitude of job options available to them, making it difficult for any one opportunity to stand out. On the other hand, employers are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of applicants, making the hiring process more time-consuming and complex.
It’s essential for both sides to stand out in a crowded field, and clear strategies can help address these challenges.
What makes employers stand out
For employers looking to filter through a large pool of applicants, clarity is key. Clearly defined role expectations on job postings help set the stage for better applications.
Effective job posting strategies
To stand out in a crowded job market, employers need to craft job postings that attract the right candidates. Here’s how to do it:
- Be clear and specific: Clearly outline role responsibilities and expectations to attract candidates whose skills align with your needs. (See example below)
- Highlight competitive pay: Salary is a key factor—make sure to emphasize competitive compensation.
- Use multiple platforms: Post jobs across various sites (Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.) to reach a wider audience.
- Personalized cover letters: Encourage applicants to go the extra mile with personalized cover letters. A well-crafted application demonstrates enthusiasm and initiative.
For example, a job posting that clearly outlines the key responsibilities and desired skills, such as “Manage a team of five, oversee marketing campaigns, and handle client communication”, will attract applicants who feel confident that their experience aligns with those responsibilities.
In contrast, a job posting with vague or general language such as “Responsible for marketing and team management” can lead to a broader, less targeted pool of applicants. Candidates may not fully understand the expectations, leading to applications that miss the mark or don’t clearly demonstrate relevant experience. By providing detailed role expectations, employers can better filter resumes and ensure they are getting applications from individuals who meet the criteria.
The impact of inflation on hiring
Inflation has had a significant impact on the labor market. Higher salary offerings are often required to attract a larger applicant pool, especially for more senior roles. Some candidates are also more willing to apply for higher-level positions, viewing them as opportunities for growth, despite not meeting every qualification. Employers need to balance their compensation packages to attract talent while maintaining financial sustainability.
Remote work advantages
Remote work has become a powerful tool for companies trying to attract and retain employees. The flexibility, elimination of commute time, and improved work-life balance are attractive benefits for workers. These advantages have proven especially effective when companies are attempting to bring employees back into the office. In today’s job market, offering remote work options or a hybrid schedule can set a business apart from its competitors.
Innovative staffing approaches
As businesses face mounting staffing challenges, they must embrace innovation in how they approach recruitment and staffing strategies. Unconventional interviewing techniques are one such area where companies are shaking up traditional practices.
Additionally, balancing the use of employees, contractors, and automation can help companies manage staffing shortages. By evaluating each role carefully, businesses can decide whether to delegate, automate, or hire for specific positions. Outsourcing projects, such as video production, can save time and increase quality when internal resources are limited.
Keys for retention: Keeping your team happy and productive
Retention starts with culture. A strong company culture and competitive benefits keep top talent engaged and satisfied. Hiring individuals whose values align with the company mission can also increase retention, as employees are more likely to feel fulfilled when they are working toward shared goals.
Encouraging employees to share their ideas is an effective way to keep them engaged. Providing clear avenues for upward communication and following through on employee suggestions can foster a sense of ownership and belonging among team members.
Additionally, being transparent about how ideas are being implemented and the timeline for execution reinforces the company’s commitment to its employees’ contributions.
Bloom’s approach to retaining employees
At Bloom, we focus on a unique approach to retaining top talent that combines a strong company culture, competitive compensation, and continuous engagement. Our business plan includes clear goals around compensation, raises, and benefits, ensuring that everyone sees our commitment. “Compensation and benefits are competitive! Between culture, flexibility, and compensation, you won’t find a better gig!”
Key elements of our retention strategy include:
- Company culture: We hire individuals whose values align with our mission, ensuring employees are engaged and fulfilled by working toward shared goals.
- Flexibility: Unlimited PTO is part of our culture of trust. Employees know they can take time off when needed, without guilt, because we believe in delivering what we promise.
- Engagement activities: The Culture Committee organizes fun initiatives, such as Kudos Kandy, where teammates anonymously give kudos that are revealed in February like valentines. We also created a movie bracket this year, where employees voted for their favorite films in a fun, interactive way.
- Weekly check-ins: Regular meetings keep everyone aligned and focused on our bigger goals, promoting collaboration and progress.
By offering transparency, fun activities, and clear avenues for employee ideas, we ensure everyone feels heard and valued. Our culture, flexibility, and competitive compensation make Bloom a place where employees thrive and stay long-term.
Empowering employees with continuous learning
Cross-training is an effective strategy for addressing staffing shortages. By cross-training employees, businesses can ensure that staff are prepared to shift responsibilities when needed. This also provides employees with developmental opportunities, which can help retain talent.
Technology and AI in staffing
Technology and artificial intelligence have become essential tools in overcoming staffing shortages. For example, outsourcing outbound sales through tech-enabled services can ease the burden on internal teams, allowing them to focus on higher-level tasks. AI-powered knowledge bases and training videos can also save time and resources by providing employees with on-demand learning opportunities.
For example, when developing a new product offering, it’s often unrealistic to spend tens-of-thousands to re-create videos that promote the product. Instead, using AI video tools like Synthesia allow for professional output while you iterate the product.
Ideal future staffing model
Looking ahead, the ideal staffing model for most businesses will center on creating a company culture that naturally attracts candidates. Companies known for exceptional experiences at all levels—whether they’re applicants, employees, or customers—will stand out in the competitive job market.
Advice for hesitant leaders
For leaders hesitant to embrace innovative approaches, the key is to stay current. New tools, trends, and resume formats can provide unique insights into a candidate’s potential. Balancing traditional methods with new strategies is critical to finding the right talent and staying competitive in the ever-changing job market.
Additional resources
While the discussion above covers several innovative staffing strategies, here are a few additional ideas to explore:
- Employee referral programs: Tap into your current workforce’s network by incentivizing them to refer qualified candidates.
- Virtual job fairs: These online events allow businesses to reach a broader audience, especially for remote roles.
- Data-driven recruitment tools: Use platforms that leverage data analytics to predict candidate success and improve hiring decisions.
- Gamified assessments: Incorporate interactive assessments to engage candidates while evaluating their skills and cultural fit.
By adapting to the latest trends, using technology to your advantage, and creating a culture of continuous learning, your company can rise above staffing challenges and build a team that delivers exceptional results.
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