No matter the profession, relationships can help further business goals and advance careers. But in recruiting, relationships arguably matter even more.
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Indeed, talent acquisition is all about people; at the most basic level, recruiting involves finding and getting to know people in order to fill open jobs.
In the current environment, this is no easy task. Consider the numbers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of February, the United States has 6.3 million job openings and the national unemployment rate stands at 4.1 percent.
How are recruiters attempting to address the talent shortage? Research from The Conference Board shows that in February, there were 4,717,600 online advertised job vacancies.
Of course, this is only one way recruiters attempt to find people to fill positions. Other methods include leveraging employee referral programs, sourcing passive candidates, and participating in job fairs. Any or all of these, as well as other strategies, may lead to candidates. However, when recruiting is transactional – find person, fill position – an opportunity is being missed.
With Future Candidates
A company should look to build relationships with capable, qualified individuals, regardless of whether those individuals are currently available or a fit for a job opening. This is something large companies have come to understand. Small and midsize companies, on the other hand, tend to focus on immediate needs.
Limited resources are sometimes cited as the reason for lack of relationship building. Yet, even companies with limited resources can take advantage of today’s tools. Social media, for example, allows for inexpensive and effective communication. Using various social channels, you can stay in touch with future job candidates and keep your company top of mind, which can go a long way toward relationship building.
Open houses and other live events will allow you to take the relationship further.
With Colleagues
Getting to know people who may one day work for your company is only one component of relationship building. You also want to get to know your colleagues.
People in your profession and your industry are a possible source of candidates. As important, they are a source of information and insight. From your colleagues you can learn about best practices, failed strategies, and new technology solutions.
Thanks to today’s tools, you can build a strong network from the comfort of your desk chair. Social and business networks allow you to engage with others in your profession and your industry. Webinars, podcasts, and other online events provide additional networking opportunities.
While the tendency may be to rely heavily on online interaction and events, don’t overlook the power of face to face. Conferences and other live events allow for interacting with people with whom you already have a relationship, and provide opportunities to meet new people—people who can have a positive impact on your immediate business objectives and your career goals.
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Paula Santonocito, Contributing Editor for Recruiting Daily Advisor, is a business journalist specializing in employment issues. She is the author of more than 1,000 articles on a wide range of human resource and career topics, with an emphasis on recruiting and hiring. Her articles have been featured in many global and domestic publications and information outlets, referenced in academic and legal publications as well as books, and translated into several languages. |