The Best Recruitment Process For Office and Commercial Companies This Year

May 9, 2024

Recruiting has always been a complex process, affected by changes in candidate preferences, evolving technology, and market dynamics.

Choosing the right recruitment process for your Office and Commercial organisation can be complex. That’s particularly true with growing skill shortages, evolving AI applications, and changing working styles, like hybrid and remote work.

However, the ideal recruitment strategy is crucial to attracting and retaining talent and cultivating a thriving workforce.

So, how do you define the process that’s right for you? Here, we’ll guide you through the pros and cons of different recruiting strategies and the steps you’ll need to take to boost your chances of hiring success.

The Groundwork: Preparing for Your Recruiting Campaign

Though access to talent is growing in some areas, particularly for Office and Commercial companies who offer remote working options, we’re still in a skills-short market. In the past 6 years, according to data from Statistica, the global research company over half of all organisations have suffered from severe skill shortages.

The UK, the US, and Australia face consistent difficulties filling skilled roles. To give yourself the best chance of attracting talent, you need two core things: an excellent employer brand and a fantastic candidate experience.

Let’s start by looking at your employer brand.

Building a Strong Employer Brand

Today, according to some recent data from LinkedIn, 88% of candidates consider a Office and Commercial company’s employer brand when applying for a role. A powerful employer brand is what tells candidates why they should work with your company. It highlights your unique benefits, draws attention to your company culture, and helps you and your recruitment company  “market” your company.

A stronger employer brand helps you attract high-performing talent by highlighting the positive aspects of your company culture. If you deliver exceptional benefits, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and invest in developing your team, they will also likely stick with your company.

To make the most of your employer brand:

  • Identify what candidates want: Find out what Office and Commercial candidates are looking for in your industry. Flexible working options are extremely popular, whether they include hybrid work options or flexible schedules. Consider giving your teams more freedom over their workday and exploring various unique benefits.
  • Create a compelling company culture: Highlight the unique culture of your company. Draw attention to how you promote professional growth with training and development. Showcase your efforts to support diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ensure every team member feels comfortable within the workplace.
  • Promote your brand: Make it easy for Office and Commercial candidates to understand your employer’s value proposition. Draw attention to your employees and their success stories on your website. Share insights on your social media pages, and advertise the benefits you can offer on job descriptions.

Optimising the Candidate Experience

Regardless of which recruitment process you choose for your Office and Commercial company, your focus should always be on delivering an excellent candidate experience. Improving the candidate experience doesn’t just make candidates more likely to accept your job offers.

It’s also a good way to enhance your employer brand and make you more appealing to future candidates. Focus on things like:

  • Simplifying the application process: More than 70% of candidates say they won’t submit a job application if it takes more than 15 minutes. Make the process simpler by allowing customers to sync their LinkedIn profile or upload CVs instantly.
  • Communicating transparently with candidates: Give your candidates a clear view of where they are in the application process by communicating with them regularly. Let them know when you’ve received their application and when you’re reviewing it.
  • Requesting feedback: Ask successful and unsuccessful candidates to share insights into what they liked and disliked about the candidate experience. This will help you to identify areas where you might need to improve.

Choosing Your Office and Commercial Recruitment Process

Once you have a strong employer brand and an insight into your candidate experience, it’s time to choose your recruitment strategy. There are a few options for Office and Commercial companies to consider, all with their pros and cons.

The most common options include:

  • Recruitment companies: Working with a recruitment company to outsource your hiring process to a team of dedicated and experienced professionals.
  • DIY Recruitment: Use your own time and that of your team to help with the recruitment process. This would include advertising, CV screening, initial interviews, writing Job descriptions, etc.
  • Internal Talent Team: Recruit an internal talent acquisition team who may still work with an external recruiter to focus exclusively on recruitment and ensure your hiring strategies align with your business goals.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of each option.

DIY Recruitment: The Pros and Cons

Smaller businesses and those with limited budgets often rely heavily on DIY recruitment. They assume the easiest way to reduce the costs of recruiting is to use the resources they already have. However, there are downsides to a DIY strategy.

Pros:

  • Cost savings: Office and Commercial DIY recruitment removes the need to hire additional employees for recruitment purposes or pay a recruitment company, making it a more budget-friendly option for smaller organisations.
  • In-house control: Since you’re handling everything yourself, you get complete control over the recruitment process, from how you’ll source talent to where you’ll search for candidates and even the candidate experience.
  • Direct communication: In a DIY strategy, you’ll communicate directly with candidates, which can give you a better insight into their competencies and skills, improving hiring decisions.

Cons:

  • Time-consuming: Managing the whole recruitment process internally can be time-consuming and complex. There’s a lot of work to do to source, filter through, and interview candidates. You could even lose money if crucial members of your team are spending more time on recruiting than on their Office and Commercial tasks.
  • Limited reach: The chances are that your internal team members won’t have access to the same extensive talent networks and specialists’ resources. This could limit your ability to tap into different Office and Commercial talent pools.
  • Lacking expertise: The people you choose to be responsible for your recruiting process might not have any expertise in recruitment. They may not know how to write great job descriptions, conduct effective interviews, or connect with new talent sources.

Internal Talent Team: Pros and Cons

Using an internal team involves hiring HR professionals with expertise in the recruitment world to work within your Office and Commercial company. This gives you a similar level of control to DIY recruitment and access to some of the specialist skills you might be missing.

Pros:

  • Dedicated expertise: An internal talent team brings specialist knowledge, experience, and insights to your recruitment process. They’re focused exclusively on hiring for your business and don’t have to direct their attention anywhere else.
  • Alignment: Internal teams will better understand your Office and Commercial company culture and employee value proposition because they’re constantly exposed to it. This can make it easier for them to find the right talent for your team.
  • Consistent access: Building an internal talent team means you’ll have long-term access to the recruitment professionals you need. They can help build a consistent recruitment strategy that grows with your company.

However, there are issues with this approach, too.

Cons:

  • Resource intensive: Establishing and maintaining your internal talent team will require significant investment. You’ll need to hire HR professionals, train them on your recruitment strategies, and pay their salaries long-term.
  • Limited perspectives: Because your internal team only works with your Office and Commercial company, they may have a restricted view of the trends and patterns in the wider industry. They could be susceptible to biases and blind spots that make it harder to hire a diverse team.
  • Scalability: With internal teams, you may have periods when you don’t need to hire anyone and must rapidly increase your recruitment strategy. Scaling up and down to meet those changes can be complicated.

Recruitment Company: Pros and Cons

Overall, working with a specialist Office and Commercial recruitment company is currently the best way to ensure you get the talent and support you need. That’s one of the reasons up to 90% of companies use professional recruitment.

While there are downsides, the benefits of working with a company can save you time and money in the long term and improve your chances of making the right hiring decisions.

 

 

Pros:

  • Access to Expertise: Recruitment offer access to specialist knowledge of your industry, the talent market, and the recruitment landscape. They have pre-built networks to help with talent sourcing and can dedicate resources to help you with everything from interviewing to writing more effective job descriptions.
  • Expanded Reach: Agencies spend years developing extensive candidate databases and industry connections. They can help you source active talent and passive candidates ready to explore new opportunities. They can also position your employer brand perfectly in front of candidates, boosting your chances of attracting the right people to build your team.
  • Time efficiency: Outsourcing recruitment to an agency frees up your Office and Commercial company’s internal resources, so you can focus on growing your company and profits. They’ll handle the tough parts of the recruitment process, saving you significant long-term money. They can even fill talent gaps faster than an internal or DIY team.

On top of all this, recruitment companies can help you identify trends that will improve your employer branding, enhance your candidate experience, and assist you with factors like writing job descriptions and conducting interviews. They can give you the expertise and insight you need to build a future talent pipeline.

Building the Ideal Recruitment Process

An effective Office and Commercial recruitment process is crucial to ensuring you can develop a thriving workforce for your company. While all businesses need a strong employer brand and an excellent candidate process, various ways to approach your recruitment strategy exist.

Overall, however, working with a Office and Commercial recruitment agency is the best way to improve your chances of achieving your recruitment goals. Their expertise, support, and reach will give you a critical edge in a skills-short market.

Recruiting has always been a complex process, affected by changes in candidate preferences, evolving technology, and market dynamics.

Choosing the right recruitment process for your Office and Commercial organisation can be complex. That’s particularly true with growing skill shortages, evolving AI applications, and changing working styles, like hybrid and remote work.

However, the ideal recruitment strategy is crucial to attracting and retaining talent and cultivating a thriving workforce.

So, how do you define the process that’s right for you? Here, we’ll guide you through the pros and cons of different recruiting strategies and the steps you’ll need to take to boost your chances of hiring success.

The Groundwork: Preparing for Your Recruiting Campaign

Though access to talent is growing in some areas, particularly for Office and Commercial companies who offer remote working options, we’re still in a skills-short market. In the past 6 years, according to data from Statistica, the global research company over half of all organisations have suffered from severe skill shortages.

The UK, the US, and Australia face consistent difficulties filling skilled roles. To give yourself the best chance of attracting talent, you need two core things: an excellent employer brand and a fantastic candidate experience.

Let’s start by looking at your employer brand.

Building a Strong Employer Brand

Today, according to some recent data from LinkedIn, 88% of candidates consider a Office and Commercial company’s employer brand when applying for a role. A powerful employer brand is what tells candidates why they should work with your company. It highlights your unique benefits, draws attention to your company culture, and helps you and your recruitment company  “market” your company.

A stronger employer brand helps you attract high-performing talent by highlighting the positive aspects of your company culture. If you deliver exceptional benefits, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and invest in developing your team, they will also likely stick with your company.

To make the most of your employer brand:

  • Identify what candidates want: Find out what Office and Commercial candidates are looking for in your industry. Flexible working options are extremely popular, whether they include hybrid work options or flexible schedules. Consider giving your teams more freedom over their workday and exploring various unique benefits.
  • Create a compelling company culture: Highlight the unique culture of your company. Draw attention to how you promote professional growth with training and development. Showcase your efforts to support diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ensure every team member feels comfortable within the workplace.
  • Promote your brand: Make it easy for Office and Commercial candidates to understand your employer’s value proposition. Draw attention to your employees and their success stories on your website. Share insights on your social media pages, and advertise the benefits you can offer on job descriptions.

Optimising the Candidate Experience

Regardless of which recruitment process you choose for your Office and Commercial company, your focus should always be on delivering an excellent candidate experience. Improving the candidate experience doesn’t just make candidates more likely to accept your job offers.

It’s also a good way to enhance your employer brand and make you more appealing to future candidates. Focus on things like:

  • Simplifying the application process: More than 70% of candidates say they won’t submit a job application if it takes more than 15 minutes. Make the process simpler by allowing customers to sync their LinkedIn profile or upload CVs instantly.
  • Communicating transparently with candidates: Give your candidates a clear view of where they are in the application process by communicating with them regularly. Let them know when you’ve received their application and when you’re reviewing it.
  • Requesting feedback: Ask successful and unsuccessful candidates to share insights into what they liked and disliked about the candidate experience. This will help you to identify areas where you might need to improve.

Choosing Your Office and Commercial Recruitment Process

Once you have a strong employer brand and an insight into your candidate experience, it’s time to choose your recruitment strategy. There are a few options for Office and Commercial companies to consider, all with their pros and cons.

The most common options include:

  • Recruitment companies: Working with a recruitment company to outsource your hiring process to a team of dedicated and experienced professionals.
  • DIY Recruitment: Use your own time and that of your team to help with the recruitment process. This would include advertising, CV screening, initial interviews, writing Job descriptions, etc.
  • Internal Talent Team: Recruit an internal talent acquisition team who may still work with an external recruiter to focus exclusively on recruitment and ensure your hiring strategies align with your business goals.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of each option.

DIY Recruitment: The Pros and Cons

Smaller businesses and those with limited budgets often rely heavily on DIY recruitment. They assume the easiest way to reduce the costs of recruiting is to use the resources they already have. However, there are downsides to a DIY strategy.

Pros:

  • Cost savings: Office and Commercial DIY recruitment removes the need to hire additional employees for recruitment purposes or pay a recruitment company, making it a more budget-friendly option for smaller organisations.
  • In-house control: Since you’re handling everything yourself, you get complete control over the recruitment process, from how you’ll source talent to where you’ll search for candidates and even the candidate experience.
  • Direct communication: In a DIY strategy, you’ll communicate directly with candidates, which can give you a better insight into their competencies and skills, improving hiring decisions.

Cons:

  • Time-consuming: Managing the whole recruitment process internally can be time-consuming and complex. There’s a lot of work to do to source, filter through, and interview candidates. You could even lose money if crucial members of your team are spending more time on recruiting than on their Office and Commercial tasks.
  • Limited reach: The chances are that your internal team members won’t have access to the same extensive talent networks and specialists’ resources. This could limit your ability to tap into different Office and Commercial talent pools.
  • Lacking expertise: The people you choose to be responsible for your recruiting process might not have any expertise in recruitment. They may not know how to write great job descriptions, conduct effective interviews, or connect with new talent sources.

Internal Talent Team: Pros and Cons

Using an internal team involves hiring HR professionals with expertise in the recruitment world to work within your Office and Commercial company. This gives you a similar level of control to DIY recruitment and access to some of the specialist skills you might be missing.

Pros:

  • Dedicated expertise: An internal talent team brings specialist knowledge, experience, and insights to your recruitment process. They’re focused exclusively on hiring for your business and don’t have to direct their attention anywhere else.
  • Alignment: Internal teams will better understand your Office and Commercial company culture and employee value proposition because they’re constantly exposed to it. This can make it easier for them to find the right talent for your team.
  • Consistent access: Building an internal talent team means you’ll have long-term access to the recruitment professionals you need. They can help build a consistent recruitment strategy that grows with your company.

However, there are issues with this approach, too.

Cons:

  • Resource intensive: Establishing and maintaining your internal talent team will require significant investment. You’ll need to hire HR professionals, train them on your recruitment strategies, and pay their salaries long-term.
  • Limited perspectives: Because your internal team only works with your Office and Commercial company, they may have a restricted view of the trends and patterns in the wider industry. They could be susceptible to biases and blind spots that make it harder to hire a diverse team.
  • Scalability: With internal teams, you may have periods when you don’t need to hire anyone and must rapidly increase your recruitment strategy. Scaling up and down to meet those changes can be complicated.

Recruitment Company: Pros and Cons

Overall, working with a specialist Office and Commercial recruitment company is currently the best way to ensure you get the talent and support you need. That’s one of the reasons up to 90% of companies use professional recruitment.

While there are downsides, the benefits of working with a company can save you time and money in the long term and improve your chances of making the right hiring decisions.

 

 

Pros:

  • Access to Expertise: Recruitment offer access to specialist knowledge of your industry, the talent market, and the recruitment landscape. They have pre-built networks to help with talent sourcing and can dedicate resources to help you with everything from interviewing to writing more effective job descriptions.
  • Expanded Reach: Agencies spend years developing extensive candidate databases and industry connections. They can help you source active talent and passive candidates ready to explore new opportunities. They can also position your employer brand perfectly in front of candidates, boosting your chances of attracting the right people to build your team.
  • Time efficiency: Outsourcing recruitment to an agency frees up your Office and Commercial company’s internal resources, so you can focus on growing your company and profits. They’ll handle the tough parts of the recruitment process, saving you significant long-term money. They can even fill talent gaps faster than an internal or DIY team.

On top of all this, recruitment companies can help you identify trends that will improve your employer branding, enhance your candidate experience, and assist you with factors like writing job descriptions and conducting interviews. They can give you the expertise and insight you need to build a future talent pipeline.

Building the Ideal Recruitment Process

An effective Office and Commercial recruitment process is crucial to ensuring you can develop a thriving workforce for your company. While all businesses need a strong employer brand and an excellent candidate process, various ways to approach your recruitment strategy exist.

Overall, however, working with an Office and Commercial recruitment agency is the best way to improve your chances of achieving your recruitment goals. Their expertise, support, and reach will give you a critical edge in a skills-short market.

At Everpool Recruitment, we specialise in assisting Office and Commerical in acquiring top talent. With a track record of successfully placing thousands of candidates, we understand the unique needs of the engineering industry. If you’re looking to enhance your team with skilled professionals or explore new opportunities, contact us today at 0151 556 2090 or email us at info@everpoolrecruitment.com.

Mastering Your Video Interview This Year

May 9, 2024

Video interviews have become common in the current Office and Commercial hiring landscape. Not only are they more convenient and cost-effective for both candidates and employers, reducing the need for travel, but they can make it easier for hiring managers to make the right choice.

With the ability to review recordings, employers can carefully analyse/analyze each candidate before extending a job offer. According to Indeed, 82% of employers used virtual interviews in 2021, and 93% wanted to continue using them.

This means every Office and Commercial candidate needs to be prepared to make the right impact on video. Learning how to handle the technical aspects, convey professionalism through your attire and body language, and respond effectively to questions is crucial.

Here’s how you can master video interviewing in 2024 and beyond.

First: Know the Video Interview Format

While video interviews in the Office and Commercial space have been commonplace since the pandemic, the way these interviews are hosted and used is evolving. Companies are experimenting not just with live video interviews but also pre-recorded sessions.

In a live interview, the experience is similar to a face-to-face discussion. You speak to your panel or interviewer in real-time, responding to any questions asked.

In a recorded video interview, you’re presented with a selection of pre-written questions.

You then record yourself responding to these questions. In this scenario, you may have more opportunities to practice/practise your answer and prepare what you will say before you respond.

In some cases, companies may also use a blended interview format, asking employees to submit a video bio, similar to a cover letter, before they engage in a live video session. Ensuring you’re prepared to handle all the different types of video interactions you’ll be presented with effectively is crucial to creating the right impression.

Mastering the Technical Aspects of Your Video Interview

Once you know what type of video interview you’re participating in, the first step is to familiarise/familiarize yourself with the technology you’ll be using. 45% of recruiters believe video helps them speed up hiring.

The last thing they want is for your technical issues to lengthen the process. You will be told which platform you’ll use when you’re offered your interview.

Create an account with the platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, etc), and test the features beforehand. Ensure you know how to mute and unmute your microphone, start and end a video stream, and share your screen. You may also want to check whether you can change your background or record the video yourself (for later reference).

Other technical preparations to invest in include:

  • Audio and Video Setup: Invest in a quality webcam, microphone, or headset and connect them to your video conferencing platform. Check whether you can adjust the lighting and sound settings to improve your interviewer’s overall experience.
  • Internet connection: Ensure you’re conducting your Office and Commercial interview in a setting with a strong and stable internet connection. A wired connection may offer better stability than a wireless alternative.
  • Conduct practice runs: Call friends or family members through the video platform to check for any potential technical glitches you might face.

Presenting Yourself Professionally

While most recruiters and hiring managers today are working to overcome unconscious bias, 96% still feel they make rapid decisions based on factors like how you present yourself in an interview.

Simple things, like how you dress, can offer hiring managers an insight into your level of professionalism and how serious you are about a role.

Just because you’re meeting over video from the comfort of your home doesn’t mean you should dress casually. Act like you would in any interview, and dress professionally.

  • Check your background: Ideally, you’ll choose a clean, clutter-free background for your interview. However, if you’re limited in the space to choose from, you may be able to use a professional-looking virtual background instead.
  • Maintain eye contact: Don’t look at yourself on screen during the interview or allow your eyes to wander. Maintaining eye contact by looking directly at the camera conveys attentiveness and confidence.
  • Mind your body language: Think carefully about your body language in any Office and Commercial interview. Sit up straight and avoid slouching or fidgeting during the discussion.

It’s also helpful to arrange your video camera to ensure you capture the right amount of your body. Ideally, your full torso and face should be visible at all times.

Preparing your Video Bio

Suppose you’re participating in a process that includes a pre-recorded video interview or are asked to submit a video bio. In that case, ensuring you make the right impact immediately is important. The best way to accomplish this is with preparation.

The same practices/practises apply here as you would research a company’s background and prepare responses to competency-based questions using the STAR method for a standard interview.

A good way to boost your chances of success is to draft a concise and compelling script based on your cover letter, CV/Resume, or the areas your recruiter has suggested. Highlight your key achievements, skills, and experiences relevant to the specific position you’re applying for.

Eliminating Distractions

Distractions are a common issue for video Office and Commercial interviews. Unlike in a traditional interview, you’ll be situated in your own home, which means plenty of opportunities for other aspects of your life to get in the way.

Reduce your risk of interruptions and background noise by choosing a quiet and secluded space for the discussion. Inform anyone else in the house that you shouldn’t be disturbed during the interview, and close the door if you can.

Other ways to reduce your risk of distractions include:

  • Preparing for technical glitches: Glitches can still occur even if you have used all the tech before. Make sure you’re ready to switch to a different method of communication, such as a phone call if problems arise. Stay calm and composed when troubleshooting issues.
  • Addressing connectivity problems: If your internet connectivity drops during the interview, politely inform the interviewer and look for ways to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Apologize for any delays, even if the problem isn’t your fault.
  • Mute other distractions: Turn off notifications for your email account and other apps you might use on the same computer you’re using for your interview. Don’t open other tabs during the conversation; and silence your phone!

Attending the interview a few minutes early can also be helpful to ensure you’re fully prepared and check for any technical issues in advance.

Mastering Your Video Interviews This Year

You’ll likely encounter at least one type of video interview during your Office and Commercial job search this year. Ensuring you’re prepared to make the right impression, whether it’s during a live interview or asynchronous conversation, is crucial to boosting your chances of getting the right job.

After any video interview, remember to review your performance, thinking about what you’ve done well and what issues you might need to address before your next interview. This will help you prepare more effectively for future conversations.

 

At Everpool Recruitment, we specialise in empowering candidates with personalised guidance to navigate the job market confidently. Our expert team is here to help you secure those fantastic opportunities. Don’t wait—reach out now and take the first step towards your dream career. Contact Us Today!

Call us at 0151 556 2090 or email us here info@everpoolrecruitment.com

The Ultimate Guide to Managing Poor Accountancy & Finance Employee Performance

April 25, 2024

Managing poor performance in Accountancy & Finance isn’t simple, but countless business leaders must handle it regularly.

Performance issues emerge for various reasons. Stress and anxiety caused by problematic company cultures or external factors like economic distress, personal problems at home and a lack of skills or motivation can lead to issues with productivity and engagement.

Poor management abilities in an Accountancy & Finance business can cause inefficiencies and problems for everyone.

A lack of purpose, direction, and ongoing support can impair a team member’s ability to deliver consistent results.

Fortunately, there are ways to address and eliminate performance issues. Here’s how you can empathetically and effectively manage performance problems as an Accountancy & Finance leader.

Understanding the Root Causes of Poor Performance

The first step to overcoming poor performance in the Accountancy & Finance workforce is understanding what’s causing the issue. Underperformance can appear in various forms, from employees who fail to meet deadlines or turn up to work on time to those who have a negative, sometimes toxic attitude that impacts the morale of other staff members.

Diagnosing the issues resulting in decreased productivity and inefficiencies ensures you can implement the right strategies to fix the problem.

Some of the most common root causes of poor performance include:

  • Inefficient processes or systems: Up to 42% of HR professionals say poor systems and processes cause problematic productivity. If your employees don’t have access to the right technologies, standard operating procedures, and guidelines, they’re more likely to make mistakes.
  • Personal issues: Work and life aren’t entirely disconnected.

    Personal stress, medical problems, and family and relationship issues can affect productivity.

  • Burnout: As Accountancy & Finance roles become more demanding, burnout is becoming increasingly common. Employees overwhelmed by unrealistic schedules and limited support can quickly lose motivation and find it difficult to deliver results for their employer.
  • Company culture: A problematic company culture caused by poor leadership, limited support or collaboration, and even conflict between coworkers can harm employee performance.

    Alternatively, a strong company culture empowers staff members to thrive in a diverse, inclusive, and friendly environment.

  • Skill Gaps: According to this report from Gartner, 70% of employees think they haven’t mastered the skills they need to thrive in their careers. Gaps in hard and soft skills make it impossible for employees to unlock their true potential and increase the risk of burnout.
  • Demotivation: Sometimes, employees don’t feel motivated enough to perform well at work. They can’t see the purpose or impact of their work, and their responsibilities are unclear, making it difficult for them to excel.

Addressing Poor Performance: The Step-by-Step Guide

Once you’ve explored the common root causes of performance issues in your Accountancy & Finance business, the next step is implementing a holistic strategy for overcoming the issue, which requires more than just a commitment to training people.

Business leaders must combine effective communication, clear development plans, and a strong company culture to achieve results.

Step 1: Implementing Effective Communication Strategies

Exceptional communication is a crucial cornerstone of any successful business. Unfortunately, many companies struggle to communicate consistently and effectively with their teams.

The problem begins with ensuring team members know their roles, responsibilities, and company expectations.

To address this issue, Accountancy & Finance leaders need to ensure that team members are clear on their tasks and responsibilities and how what they do contributes to the company’s broader goals and the purpose they serve. This helps to pave the way for exceptional performance.

Beyond setting clear expectations, business leaders must ensure clear and honest communication is consistent in the workplace culture.

Robust communication strategies can help managers and supervisors identify the root cause of performance problems more effectively and work with team members to find resolutions collaboratively.

Ensure you have a strategy in place for:

  • Consistently delivering performance reviews: Don’t just tell your employees what they need to improve or what they excel at once a year.

    Ensure you’re regularly sharing feedback, both motivational and developmental.

    Motivational feedback highlights what a team member is doing well and encourages them to continue to operate in this way.

    Developmental feedback is required when someone isn’t quite meeting expectations, and you want to draw their attention to the impact of how they are currently operating and what you want them to do instead.

    Active listening and empathy: Demonstrating empathy for your employees and actively listening to their issues helps to forge stronger relationships between team members, managers and the company.

    It also means your team members are more likely to inform you if they’re concerned about burnout or overwhelm at work.

Give your team members plenty of ways to share feedback about the company culture, work processes, and challenges they face. It will give you a broader overview of the problems affecting your team.

Step 2: Developing Personal Improvement Plans

Based on your conversations with employees and the insights you gather into the root causes of performance issues, you can begin to develop comprehensive “performance improvement plans”.

Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) are personalised documents that outline the steps team members need to take to overcome underperformance issues and achieve their goals.

They should include:

  • Clear, realistic goals: Discuss your employee’s goals for their career and how they align with the broader goals of the business.

    Set clear, measurable targets for your team members to work towards. Ensure these targets are realistic, based on the existing strengths and weaknesses of your team members and the support you can offer.

    Use frequently monitored milestones and support the employee in returning their performance to company standards and expectations.

  • Strategies for development: Outline the resources you can offer individuals to assist with their on-the-job development so that they have the necessary skill set to return to their previous performance levels or achieve the required performance levels for their role.

    This could mean providing access to training courses to address skill gaps that may be virtual or in-person or have additional coaching.

  • Consistent feedback and monitoring strategies: Determine how often you’ll meet with your Accountancy & Finance employee to review their progress towards their goals. Define which metrics or KPIs you’ll monitor and continue to reinforce the company’s expectations.

    Ensure your team members know who they can turn to for extra support if they encounter problems.

Performance plans are tailored to the specific issues and needs of the employee you want to support. Consider their learning style and unique requirements carefully, and regularly check in to ensure your team members have all the support they need.

Step 3: Creating a Supportive Work Environment

Over recent years, a growing body of research has demonstrated that a positive work environment directly impacts employee performance and productivity.

According to the University of Oxford, happy workers are up to 13% more productive.

Creating a happy workforce starts with developing a positive and supportive company culture, which means turning your workplace into an environment based on company values that will often revolve around trust, respect, and collaboration.

Examples of areas that companies prioritise are:

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion: Ensure you provide equal support to all staff members, regardless of their background. Encourage cross-team collaboration and give every employee a voice when making crucial business decisions.
  • Motivating employees: Find ways to motivate your Accountancy & Finance employees by creating reward and recognition programs that champion their hard work. Offer meaningful feedback regularly and request input from employees in return.
  • Exceptional leadership: Train your team leaders and managers to model desired behaviours, such as inclusivity, honest and transparent communication, and a commitment to collaboration.

Crucially, ensure your team members can connect with business leaders or HR professionals when they discover an issue with the company culture.

Overcoming Poor Workplace Performance

Addressing poor performance in the Accountancy & Finance industry can be complex. Business leaders must take a holistic, strategic, and empathetic approach to address the causes of disengagement, poor motivation, and diminishing productivity.

Most importantly, commit to constantly optimising performance, assessing the outcomes of your staff members, and ensuring you’re aware of any issues individuals and teams might be facing.

Fortunately, with the right strategy, you can improve performance, enhance your employer brand, attract more talent to your business, and increase retention.

 

 

How to Use a Go-To-Market Strategy for Engineering Recruitment

April 24, 2024

In today’s candidate-driven Engineering job market, attracting and retaining the right talent is more challenging than ever. Candidates have more options when selecting the ideal role for their specific needs, and their priorities are changing.

This means business leaders and recruiters need to take a new approach to connect with potential employees if they want to overcome the challenges of a major talent shortage.

Recruitment now has a lot in common with effective marketing. Just as companies need to establish an effective “go to market” strategy to engage buyers and demonstrate value to customers, they also need a similar approach to intrigue top talent.

A strong go-to-market (G.T.M.) strategy framework paves the foundation for a powerful product launch, gaining customer trust and differentiating a brand from its competitors. A similar “G.T.M.” approach to recruitment can help companies target the right talent, strengthen their employer brand, and build deeper connections with employees.

Here’s how to embed a go-to-market strategy into your Engineering recruitment process.

What is a Go-to-Market Strategy? The Basics

A go-to-market strategy is a tactical plan companies use to determine how to bring a new product or service to their target audience.

It’s an exercise that outlines the steps a business should take to engage a potential customer, differentiate themselves from the competition and increase sales.

With a strong go-to-market strategy, business leaders determine why they’re launching a product, their target market, and how they will convince consumers to buy what they’re selling.

Similarly, in the Engineering recruitment world, a go-to-market strategy outlines the key information businesses need to capture, engage, and retain the right talent.

Business leaders answer questions such as: “Why are we hiring this professional?” and “What value can we bring to employees?” This gives them the guidance they need to position their roles more effectively in the competitive talent market.

Moreover, a go-to-market strategy can help companies consider any issues candidates might experience with a role, such as a lack of clarity around responsibilities or a complex interview process.

Here’s how companies can approach Engineering recruitment with a “go-to-market” mindset.

Step 1: Align Recruitment Goals to Business Goals

As mentioned above, when organisations establish a go-to-market strategy for a product, one of the first questions they ask is why they’re launching this new solution or offer. Similarly, when you use a go-to-market strategy for Engineering recruitment, you’ll need to define why you’re looking for a specific employee to fill a gap in your team.

The first step is developing a clear understanding of the current business goals. For instance, you might want to expand your Engineering company into new markets in the years ahead and need new talent to help you identify and serve the right customers.

Alternatively, your goal may be to innovate and evolve, using new tools and strategies to improve team productivity and efficiency. Defining your goals will help you understand what key attributes and skills your new Engineering employee will need. It should also ensure you can provide your candidates with clear insight into their roles.

Crucially, aligning business and recruitment goals also means you’ll be able to identify how you will evaluate your candidate’s success after they join your team.

Step 2: Identify your Employee Personas

Once you’ve established your goals for your go-to-market recruitment plan, the next step is deciding what kind of Engineering employees you want to attract.

A key component of creating a go-to-market strategy for a product is defining who the ideal buyer will be.

In the recruitment world, you’ll need to understand the key attributes and characteristics of the candidates you want to attract. Think about the essential soft and Engineering skills your new team member will need to have and what their educational background should look like.

Think about what kind of people are most likely to thrive in your existing Engineering company culture, what their personality will be like, and what values they might have. You could even create a candidate persona, which you can use to inspire and guide your team when creating job descriptions, interview questions, and onboarding strategies.

Step 3: Building Your Employer Brand

When bringing a new product or service into the market, companies must determine what benefits and values they can offer above and beyond their competitors. In today’s competitive Engineering recruitment space, you must also take the same approach to engaging candidates.

Ask yourself and your team what sets your company apart from other organisations with similar roles available to candidates. If your company is relatively small, you might not be able to compete in salary, but you could offer other benefits by providing flexible working opportunities or access to more training and development options.

Look at your “employee personas” values and ask yourself how you can build a brand that appeals to your target candidates. This might include focusing on things like:

  • Unique opportunities: Do you allow Engineering employees to work remotely, choose their hours, or get involved with training initiatives and mentorship programs?
  • Corporate Social Responsibility: How can you appeal to your candidate’s ethical values? Do you have a strong focus on diversity, inclusion, and equity? Do you take a sustainable business operations approach or give back to charitable organisations?
  • Company culture: What are the core components of your company culture? How do you ensure your team members feel supported in your team?

Step 4: Creating Your Outreach Strategy

In a typical go-to-market strategy, companies need to build a “market strategy”, which involves thinking about how they’ll position their product and connect with consumers. You can take a similar approach in an Engineering recruitment-focused G.T.M.

Start by thinking about the messaging you will use and how you will highlight the unique components of your employer brand in your job descriptions and social posts.

For instance, alongside listing job descriptions on your website, work with an Engineering recruitment company to create a job description and leverage their ability to promote your vacancy into the market and within their database and connections.

Step 5: Prepare for the Interview Process

Finally, you’ll need to think about how to connect with candidates once you are in an interview situation. As companies use offers, discounts, demos, and promotions to increase conversions, business leaders use interviews to assess candidates and provide talent with an opportunity to evaluate their company.

Constructing an effective interview process is essential to boosting the power of your Engineering employer brand. Ensure you have a plan to eliminate common issues like bias. This could mean training your interviewers and providing them with scorecards to help them focus on specific attributes. Your recruitment partner can facilitate all of these processes.

Provide interviewers with step-by-step guidance on evaluating each candidate, and consider the questions your would-be employees might ask you in return. At the same time, remember to think beyond the interview to the full onboarding process.

How can you give your candidates a good first impression of your company?

Commit to constant, transparent communication, and look for ways to empower your staff members with the right training and support from day one.

The Go-To-Market Strategy for Engineering Recruitment

A go-to-market strategy is a powerful tool for businesses bringing new products and services to their customers. However, many of the components of these strategies can also be applied to the recruitment world. Taking a go-to-market approach to hiring can help you target the right candidates, differentiate your company from competitors, and engage the best talent.

With the help of an Engineering recruitment company, you can build a full go-to-market strategy designed to fill the gaps in your team, improve your employer brand, and strengthen your connections with existing and future employees.

At Everpool Recruitment, we specialise in assisting engineering firms in acquiring top talent. With a track record of successfully placing thousands of candidates, we understand the unique needs of the engineering industry. If you’re looking to enhance your team with skilled professionals or explore new opportunities, contact us today at 0151 556 2090 or email us at info@everpoolrecruitment.com.

Stay Ahead of the Curve: The Top Skills IT Employers Crave in Candidates in 2024

April 18, 2024

Demand for skilled IT employees is increasing in 2024, and unemployment levels are dropping. However, there’s still significant competition in the market among candidates in this industry. Faced with a complex economic landscape, employers are limited in the opportunities they can offer.

If you want to optimise your chances of getting the ideal role this year, you must demonstrate the skills employers are searching for.

It’s not just technical skills that recruiters prioritise today, but a range of soft skills too, from exceptional communication to resilience.

To ensure you can stay relevant in the current recruitment market, we’re exploring the most important hard and soft skills you should concentrate on as you invest in professional development for 2024 and beyond.

The Value of Hard Skills in 2024

Hard skills, or “technical skills”, are the quantifiable abilities that most recruiters will look at when reviewing your application for a IT role. They’re the competencies you need to accomplish the responsibilities and tasks of a specific job.

Hard skills result from the knowledge, training, and experience you’ve gained throughout your career.

Unfortunately, the hard skill requirements for many roles evolve all the time. Employees need to quickly adapt to new systems, tools, and processes that didn’t exist in the past.

The key to defining which hard skills you need to develop in your IT role is to examine industry trends and job descriptions in your sector.

Look at things like:

  • Relevant qualifications: Most employers in the IT landscape will look for evidence of your abilities through credentials, including certifications, degrees, demonstration of continuing professional development portfolios, or attending courses.
  • Proficiency with specific tools: All industries, including the IT sector, rely on specific tools like hardware and software. Ensure you know the resources your chosen business uses daily, such as accounting or design software.
  • Hard communication skills: Hard communication skills combine soft communication skills with new technologies and business goals. They can include skills in digital communication, copywriting, reading, writing, and speaking in a non-native language.
  • Transferable hard skills: Some hard skills are becoming relevant in all industries. Project management skills, proficiency with data analysis, and even management or leadership skills can be valuable to various IT roles.

Digital Literacy: The Non-Negotiable Skill Set

Perhaps the most significant hard skills employers require today align with “digital literacy”. As mentioned above, virtually every company in the IT industry is in the midst of a continuous digital transformation process.

Your ability to use and adapt to new technology will make you a valuable resource to your employer, even if you’re not pursuing a tech-related role. In fact, according to Forbes, around 93% of businesses are struggling to fill a “digital skills gap” today.

The specific digital skills you need will vary depending on your role, but they may include:

  • Data analysis: Understanding and interpreting data is valuable in any role, as it improves your problem-solving capabilities. Using tools like Excel and SQL to manage and visualise data will make you a highly appealing candidate.
  • Software proficiency: As noted above, most roles require employees to use specific software to accomplish tasks. This could include project management, calendaring, team collaboration apps, or specific design or data processing solutions.
  • I. proficiency: Artificial Intelligence is here to stay in all industries. Learning how to work with generative A.I. applications and bots or use intelligence to optimise and learn from data or business trends is a must in today’s world.
  • Cybersecurity: As digital threats continue escalating in the IT landscape, your ability to safely work with tools and data is paramount. Ensure you have a basic knowledge of protecting your online accounts and avoid scam and phishing attacks.
  • Cloud computing: Cloud computing has transformed how businesses operate, offering access to scalable resources over the internet. A fundamental knowledge of cloud computing best practices will help you to thrive in today’s digital world.

Soft Skills: The Unseen Backbone of Professionalism

Soft skills have always been essential to any role in the IT industry. In today’s digitally transforming world, however, they’re more crucial than ever. Fast Company reports that employers increasingly value “soft skills” over hard skills.

Soft skills refer to character traits and interpersonal skills that characterise a person’s ability to interact effectively with colleagues.

The combination of both soft and hard skills and knowledge results in an employee who has the potential to contribute and perform at a higher level than peers who are less skilled in one or both areas.

Some soft skills, such as collaborating well with colleagues, have always been essential. Others have grown more crucial in recent years.

In 2024, IT employers will be looking for staff members that show skills with:

  • Creative problem solving: The ability to look at an issue from various perspectives and develop creative resolutions.

    Every business faces problems, and your ability to respond effectively will make you a valuable asset.

  • Adaptability and resilience: As the world continues to evolve at a break-neck speed, resilience and adaptability are becoming more crucial.

    You’ll be a better employee if you can manage change effectively and stay strong in the face of stress and challenges.

  • Commitment to continuous learning: According to the World Economic Forum, 44% of employees’ core skills will change in the next five years. A commitment to lifelong learning and development ensures you can adapt to the changing landscape.
  • Motivation and self-management: The ability to act independently and maintain high motivation is crucial today.

    An ability to manage your own time and stay focused will make you more efficient in your role and inspire the teams around you.

  • Emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence, defined as the ability to recognise and respond effectively to your emotions and the feelings of people around you, will help you contribute to a positive company culture.

Communication Skills: Your Career Amplifier

In essential IT soft skills, communicating effectively is perhaps the most valuable thing today’s employers are looking for. Excellent communication has always been necessary to ensure a thriving company culture.

However, in today’s hybrid and remote work world, fantastic communication skills are particularly crucial with changing collaboration strategies and evolving worldwide teams.

Strong communication skills are pivotal to working effectively with others, communicating with customers and clients, and thriving in your role.

Grammarly found that poor communication in the workplace can lead to a range of problems, from increased stress levels for 50% of workers to a 15% drop in productivity.

Assess your communication skills and focus on improving:

  • Verbal communication skills: The ability to speak clearly, using your knowledge of a situation, and emotional intelligence to your advantage.
  • Visual communication skills: Your ability to use graphs, charts, and maps when necessary to add context to a statement or guide other team members.
  • Digital communication skills: Leveraging various communication tools for online calls, messaging, and video conferencing sessions.

Frequently ask for feedback from your peers, managers, and supervisors to help you pinpoint potential gaps in your ability to communicate.

Integrating and Balancing Skill Sets

Success in today’s competitive IT landscape relies on your ability to cultivate and constantly improve a wide selection of hard, soft, and digital competencies. You need a plan for constant personal development and growth to improve your chances of getting the desired role and achieving your career goals.

Committing to constantly expanding your skills based on the trends you see in your industry and your employer’s core objectives will help elevate your professional brand and improve your chances of accessing new opportunities in the IT space.

By embracing a growth mindset and investing in lifelong learning, you’ll always be in a position where you stand out among other experienced candidates in the IT industry.

At Everpool Recruitment, we specialise in empowering IT professionals with personalised guidance to navigate the job market confidently. Our expert team is here to help you secure those fantastic opportunities. Don’t wait—reach out now and take the first step towards your dream career. Contact Us Today!

Call us at 0151 556 2090 or email us here info@everpoolrecruitment.com

How to Become an Employer Of Choice in the Fashion Industry

April 11, 2024

The hiring market in the Fashion industry has been candidate-driven for some time.

Countless companies are now competing for candidates with critical skills to help their organisations thrive in a challenging economy. This means talented professionals have more freedom to select positions that align with their priorities and values.

Positioning yourself as an “Employer of Choice” (E.O.C.) in Fashion is critical to reducing the costs and complexity of the recruitment process, as well as accessing the right talent.

How do you develop a reputation as the “ultimate” business to work for?

Here, we’ll look at some of the most valuable strategies business leaders can use to position themselves as an employer of choice.

Attracting Top Talent: Why It Matters Now

Rampant skill shortages and increasing competition for talent have led to a complex recruitment environment for Fashion companies. Up to 80% of businesses in the U.K. are having trouble persistently filling roles, and the issue extends worldwide.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that there are currently 9.5 million job openings in the U.S. and only 6.5 million unemployed workers.

Simply put, the number of talented professionals in the job market is dwindling, and these candidates are becoming more discerning about which companies they choose to work for.

Employees now expect organisations to offer a combination of diversity, equity, inclusion, a supportive company culture, a commitment to the environment and sustainability, and exceptional growth opportunities.

All the while, they’re still searching for flexibility and compassion from employers.

This trend will only continue as Gen Z enters the workforce, prioritising ethical behaviour, wellbeing, and workplace perks ahead of higher salaries.

Hiring the wrong candidate isn’t an option, with a poor hire costing companies from 30% of a hire’s first-year salary up to £240,000 for senior hires. This means companies must invest more heavily in positioning themselves as the ideal employer for their intended workforce.

Becoming an employer of choice:

  • Increases productivity and profitability: Well-supported, satisfied, and happy staff members are more productive and profitable.

    Companies with a positive people-first company culture achieve four times higher profits than their competitors.

  • Simplifies recruitment and retention: Passive candidates and top talent are more likely to apply for a role with a company considered an “employer of choice”.
  • Enhances brand equity: A satisfied workforce is likelier to speak highly of their employer, refer new team members to the company, and deliver excellent results.

Key Strategies to Become a Company People Want to Join

Becoming an employer of choice in the Fashion space requires a multi-faceted approach to addressing the needs and expectations of your candidates. Several strategies in today’s hiring market can boost your chances of attracting and retaining talent.

1.    Cultivating a Strong Company Culture

Culture is increasingly crucial to top talent in the Fashion landscape. Employees want to work with a supportive, empathetic, and flexible company. According to an Inc.com survey, winning companies consistently demonstrated a more significant commitment to building a culture that delighted and engaged employees.

Building a strong culture in the current environment involves:

  • Concentrating on employee engagement: Look for ways to consistently engage employees, delivering feedback, recognition, and rewards for their work. Enable consistent collaboration and communication between teams, and invest in team-building exercises.
  • Offering flexibility: 93% of candidates say they want a flexible role. While remote and hybrid working might not be an option for every Fashion company, there are other ways to offer flexibility, such as giving employees more ownership of their schedules.
  • Supporting work balance: Wellbeing and work balance are crucial concerns, particularly for younger Gen Z employees. Encouraging team members to use their paid time off or allowing them to manage their work schedules around their lives is becoming increasingly essential.

Additionally, employees are searching for more ethical employers committed to protecting the environment, supporting different communities, and treating people compassionately.

2.    Offer Competitive Benefits and Compensation

While many Fashion candidates are looking beyond salary in the search for the ideal role, the right remuneration is still crucial to attracting candidates. A complex economic environment and cost of living issues are prompting many employees to leave their old roles for better income.

A Gallup study found the importance of a higher salary had risen in priority from no four to no one since 2015.

Ensuring your remuneration packages align with or exceed the industry standard will help you attract more loyal, engaged employees.

However, it’s crucial to look beyond direct remuneration, too. Gen Z and X members say they would quit their jobs tomorrow for one with benefits supporting their wellbeing. Consider which benefits are most likely to appeal to your target candidates.

Many standard drivers for many employees are flexible, remote, and hybrid work. However, access to other benefits, such as mental and physical health support or the ability to spend time volunteering for causes they care about, will be valuable to some Fashion candidates.

3.    Invest in Employee Development and Growth

A strong employee development program has always been a priority for the best Fashion candidates. Every employee wants to expand their skill set and become more valuable to their employer. More importantly, they want to see a future with your company.

This is particularly true in recent years, as employees continue to worry about the growing issue of job insecurity. With this in mind, invest in your employees’ development and look at opportunities to help them enhance critical hard skills (digital literacy) and soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, and resiliency.

Explore options such as:

  • Online learning and courses: Online learning initiatives can give Fashion employees more freedom to choose and manage their development path. They can explore a range of courses related to their role in their own time.
  • In-person training: Empower employees to attend in-person classes or workshops. Allow them to visit events and conferences where they can expand their network.
  • Mentorship: Consider creating a mentorship program where your high-level employees can provide consistent guidance to newer staff members.
  • On-the-job development: Create opportunities for team members to participate in additional projects or lead a project. Delegate tasks to them that will stretch or develop
    new skills, or build their competency.

4.    Embed Inclusivity and Diversity

Fashion candidates, particularly in the Gen Z and millennial landscape, believe inclusivity and diversity is critical to building an enduring company culture. They’re looking for employers who deliver supportive, equitable environments to team members from all backgrounds.

Reports from analysts like McKinsey also show that companies that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive are better able to respond to challenges, find top talent, and address the needs of an evolving customer base.

Communicate clearly with your employees about your diversity and inclusion efforts and how they relate to your organisation core values. Introduce training initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion. Explore cross-team collaboration exercises that encourage people from different backgrounds to collaborate and share perspectives.

You can also demonstrate your commitment by ensuring you’re taking an unbiased approach to hiring. If this is an area you can develop further, working with a specialist recruitment company like us at Everpool can help.

5.    Embrace Transparency and Open Communication

Today’s world is plagued by confusion and uncertainty, making it more critical than ever for Fashion employers to demonstrate transparency with their staff members. Employees want clarity, not just when it comes to identifying their roles and responsibilities, but also regarding understanding their purpose and impact on the company.

Open communication is crucial, which means sharing updates (both positive and negative) with your employees about the direction your business is moving in and what it means for them.

Remember, open communication is also about listening.

Gathering feedback from team members about what you can do to give them a better work-life balance or experience will improve your prospects of retaining staff and enhancing your employer brand.

Becoming an Employer of Choice

The shift to a candidate-driven, skills-short market means Fashion companies need to work harder than ever to attract and retain top talent. Developing a strategy to improve your employer brand and value proposition through flexibility, diversity, inclusion, and empathy is crucial.

Perhaps the easiest way to start this transformative journey is to work with a Fashion recruitment company that can guide your business.

The right recruitment company will help diversify your talent pool, guide you through creating an exceptional company culture, and offer insights into the priorities of your candidates.

At Everpool Recruitment, we have been helping firms acquire talent, and Fashion job seekers find their ideal roles. If you want to find out how we can help, call us at 0151 556 2090 or email us here info@everpoolrecruitment.com

Mastering Your Workload as a Legal Employee

April 4, 2024

Throughout the Legal sector, countless employees face expanding workloads and increasing pressure. The current economy means many organisations are forced to do more with less.

Managers are demanding greater efficiency and productivity from their teams than ever before. Yet, unfortunately, many employees struggle to adapt to these new expectations.

According to research by Development Academy, one of the main issues is that 82% of people don’t use a time management system. They use a to-do- list or their inbox only.

The same study revealed that only 20% of people do a monthly audit to review how they spend their time, and 1 in 8 people never feel under control at work.

Mastering workload management is the key to ensuring you unlock your full potential in the Legal workplace. It paves the way for career progression, reduces the risk of burnout, and contributes to a better work-life balance.

Here’s how to manage your workloads more effectively in the Legal Sector.

Step 1: Understanding Your Job Description and Objectives

Effective workload management begins with clearly understanding your responsibilities and role as a Legal employee. In a hectic workplace, it’s easy to lose track of where your focus and priorities should be, including how your performance will be evaluated and monitored.

Ideally, your job description and manager will offer insights here.

A good job description will define an employer’s expectations and the employee’s core tasks.

Often, asking for further detail and clarity when you are unsure can be helpful.

Talk to your manager about your responsibilities and how they align with the broader goals of the organisation. Ask them to identify the key deliverables they’re looking for in your work and how you’ll be assessed.

A precise knowledge of your responsibilities and the business’s objectives will help determine which tasks are most valuable to your to-do list. This will ensure you can effectively prioritise tasks based on the contribution they’ll make to your team, department, and business.

In addition, you will build a reputation as a significant and consistent contributor.

If you’re assigned a project that doesn’t seem to align with your role or the business’s goals, ask for more clarity; This demonstrates a commitment to generating measurable results for the company.

Step 2: Learn How to Prioritise Effectively

Based on what you learn about your Legal company’s objectives and your role, you can identify that some tasks on your to-do list are more important than others. For instance, while responding to emails is crucial, it may not be as critical as finishing a task before an impending deadline. There are various ways to evaluate your tasks based on priority, such as:

  • Using the Eisenhower Matrix: The Eisenhower matrix, or “prioritisation” matrix, breaks tasks into four boxes: neither important nor urgent, urgent but not important, important but not urgent, and urgent and important.
    For example, sending an invoice before a deadline may be important and urgent. Brainstorming for a new task may be important but not urgent.
  • Reducing your priorities: Starting your day with a list of 25 crucial tasks to complete can be overwhelming. Set yourself up for success by being realistic about what you can achieve in a single day.Some people use the 1-3-5 rule, which involves selecting one big task to achieve each day, three medium tasks, and five small actions.
  • Manage your energy, not just your time: People naturally go through periodic changes to how well they can focus. Defining when your most productive times are in the day can help you plan your schedule to maximise your energy.

Step 3: Know When to Say No

For many people, saying “no,” especially in the workplace, doesn’t come naturally.
Most Legal employees want to be seen as team players, ready to go above and beyond whenever a manager comes to us with an additional task or project.

Unfortunately, saying “yes” to everything increases your chances of burnout, making it more likely to make mistakes when doing essential work and harms productivity and efficiency.

Even the most impressive Legal employee has limitations. We can only accomplish so much in the time given to us, so it’s crucial to know when to say no.

Talk to your supervisor or manager when you’re assigned a task you can’t handle based on your current workload.

Explain why you cannot accept the extra task based on your current workload, objectives and deadlines. A good way to ensure you make the right impression is to offer alternative solutions to the issue.

Explore who else on the team has the required skills or abilities.

Suggest putting another less valuable task on hold if the new project is essential and urgent.

Step 4: Boosting Productivity and Maintaining Focus

According to the American Psychological Association, 20% of people are “chronic procrastinators”. We’re easily distracted, particularly in a fast-paced workplace where emails, requests, and environmental distractions constantly bombard us.

It’s not just the distraction that steals your time in the Legal workplace, but also the energy you need to refocus. Look for ways to reduce your exposure to distractions, such as:

  • Use time management techniques: Time management techniques like the Pomodoro technique or time blocking help to ensure you stay focused on specific tasks for reasonable periods. They encourage you to take regular breaks and help to reduce the risk of “multi-tasking” or switching between different tasks.
  • Eliminate common distractions: Consider using noise-cancelling headphones to block out excess noise in a busy office. Switch your phone and instant messaging platforms to “do not disturb” when working on complex tasks. You could consider closing your email tab or setting up an autoresponder message.
  • Optimise your workplace: A tidy and comfortable office is conducive to productivity. Remove any clutter around your desk as often as possible, and look for ways to improve your comfort with ergonomic furniture.Placing your desk next to a window can give you a cognitive boost, improving your concentration with natural light.

Additionally, remember to take regular breaks. Your brain can only focus for so long, and simple strategies like heading outside for some fresh air can revitalise your mind. A collection of studies conducted by Washington State University demonstrate that spending time in nature can alleviate mental fatigue.

Step 5: Invest in Continuous Learning and Development

In the fast-paced Legal environment, workplaces and roles constantly evolve. You’re more likely to struggle with workload management if you spend much time on projects you don’t understand or work with new and unusual technology.

With this in mind, focus on constantly developing your skill set. Use courses, webinars, and online workshops to develop new technical (hard) skills relevant to your role.

Let’s take A.I. as an example:

You may become more productive if you’re comfortable using AI-based software to complete repetitive work.

Think about how you can enhance your soft skills, too. Improving your ability to communicate or working on your critical thinking and problem-solving skills can help you to become more efficient.

At the same time, exploring consistent development shows your employer you’re committed to becoming the most valuable employee you can be.

Create time during mini-reviews, weekly catch-ups or regular one-to-one meetings with your manager to discuss your development needs. Explore the skills and knowledge you need to continue improving your contribution and performance.

Master Workload Management

The pressure on Legal employees today is greater than ever. Asana even found that 80% of global knowledge workersfeel on the verge of burnout. While it’s your employer’s responsibility to ensure tasks are distributed fairly among staff members, it’s up to you to ensure you’re making the most of your time and energy.

Ensure you understand your responsibilities and the goals of the organisation/organization. Find ways to optimise your focus, eliminate distractions, and know when to say no.

If you’re still overwhelmed by the work you need to manage and are not receiving the kind of support you are looking for, maybe it’s time to explore a company and culture that takes a different approach. Contact us at Everpool for help finding a role that can improve your work-life balance.

Email: info@everpoolrecruitment.com or Telephone number: 0151 556 2090

Why Your Nursing, Health and Social Care Job Descriptions Are Letting You Down

March 28, 2024

The recruitment landscape constantly evolves, influenced by changing candidate and employer priorities, introducing new Nursing, Health and Social Care roles, and adopting new technologies.

Yet even in this fast-moving landscape, one thing remains consistent: the importance of job descriptions.

More than just a laundry list of the essential skills candidates need to thrive in a role, job descriptions are critical to attracting top talent, setting expectations, and elevating your employer brand. In a world where employers are struggling to fill the talent gaps in their teams, ensuring your job descriptions are making the right impression is essential.

Unfortunately, countless Nursing, Health and Social Care employers miss out on top talent because their job descriptions aren’t engaging, informative, or inclusive enough to resonate with modern candidates. Here’s how you can overcome the issue of sub-par job descriptions once and for all in 2024.

The Essential Components of a Successful Job Description

On a broad level, job descriptions provide candidates with all the information they need about the responsibilities of a role, the skills, experiences and qualifications they need to thrive, and the benefits an employer can offer. However, they can also accomplish so much more.

For many job seekers, the job description will be one of the first things they evaluate when deciding whether to apply for a role. Having a job description that contains relevant information that appeals to today’s candidates will boost your chances of attracting suitable candidates and convincing them to accept your job offers.

While the exact language and information used in your Nursing, Health and Social Care job description can vary, an effective document should always include:

  • A job title and summary: A clear and jargon-free description of the role and associated responsibilities. Make sure this section is clear, straightforward, and descriptive.
  • Detailed duties and responsibilities: A list of key responsibilities and tasks successful candidates will need to complete to thrive in the role.
  • Necessary qualifications and skills: Any specific hard and soft skills required for the role, such as excellent communication skills or proficiency with certain tools.
  • Compensation and benefits: An overview of the remuneration and wider benefits that may be available, such as flexible working options.
  • Company culture: Insights into the core values and priorities in your business, as well as your approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Development opportunities: An insight into the potential for growth within the role and future career progression.

Why Inclusivity is Crucial to Job Descriptions in 2024

Many factors can influence the success of a job description in 2024. For instance, studies show that candidates regularly assess attractive benefits, high salaries, and company culture before deciding whether to apply for a role. However, in 2024, one of the most significant factors that will impact the appeal of your job descriptions is their level of inclusivity.

76% of candidates in today’s Nursing, Health and Social Care recruitment landscape say diversity and inclusivity are central to deciding which company to work for. Evidence of unconscious bias in your job descriptions can significantly reduce your chances of attracting the right talent to your team.

Additionally, on a broader level, taking a proactive approach to D.E.I. in the workplace delivers many other benefits, from increased productivity and engagement to reduced staff turnover. McKinsey found the most diverse workforces were also the most successful financially.

Here are some ways to optimise your job descriptions for inclusivity.

1.    Avoid Gender-Coded Language

Gender bias in Nursing, Health and Social Care job descriptions is more common than you think. Even if you don’t specify a preferred gender for your employee in the description itself, the language you use can influence who responds to your job listings. According to one study, words like “dominant” or “competitive” can be perceived as more “masculine” in job descriptions.

Alternatively, terms like “collaborative” and “nurturing” are more likely to resonate with female applicants. A.I. tools can help you evaluate your job descriptions and pinpoint potentially “gender-coded language”. Alternatively, you can ask your Nursing, Health and Social Care recruitment agency to highlight any terms that may dissuade certain candidates from interacting with you.

2.    Look for Evidence of Other Biased Language

Unconscious bias in Nursing, Health and Social Care job descriptions doesn’t just show through in potentially “gender-coded” terminology. Some various other words and descriptors can also subtly demonstrate bias. For instance, your language could show a preference towards:

  • People of a certain ethnicity: Asking for “local” employees or referencing a specific ideal origin for your candidates can demonstrate racial bias.
  • Candidates of a certain age: Describing your ideal candidate as a “fresh young go-getter” or an “industry veteran” may restrict the age range of your job applicants.
  • People without disabilities: Asking for people with specific physical attributes or skills without referencing your ability to make accommodations for those with disabilities makes it harder to attract employees with a range of abilities.

3.    Minimise Corporate Jargon

Many Nursing, Health and Social Care companies use jargon and technical terms in their job descriptions and other documentation. While these terms may make sense to existing members of staff and stakeholders, they can be confusing for new employees to understand.

Listings that rely heavily on technical terms may be unable to capture the attention of highly skilled employees who have yet to learn the language of the industry. With this in mind, deliberately choose words and phrases that aren’t overly “industry-specific” when crafting job descriptions.

If you need to use a specific technical term, consider using a descriptor alongside it to help applicants understand exactly what you’re looking for.

4.    Highlight your D.E.I. Commitment

One easy way to demonstrate diversity and inclusion in your job descriptions is to include specific information about your D.E.I. initiatives in the document. In the section where you discuss your company’s culture, talk about your commitment to providing equal opportunities to everyone.

Mentioning that you’re an equal opportunity employer gives insights into ensuring you don’t discriminate against employees or candidates based on irrelevant characteristics. You could even reference your strategy for training your employees and managers on D.E.I. practices.

Alternatively, you might highlight awards you’ve won based on your diversity and inclusion strategies or positive feedback you’ve earned from previous employees. If you’re listing your Nursing, Health and Social Care job description online, include a link to a website page with more information.

5.    Work With a Nursing, Health and Social Care Recruitment

Collaborating with a recruitment can benefit Nursing, Health and Social Care employers, particularly in today’s skill-short landscape. A recruiter who shares your focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion can help you tailor your job descriptions for the current market.

They can help you to recognise evidence of bias or discrimination in your language that you might otherwise miss. They can also advise you on finding training resources and support that will help you optimise diversity and inclusion in your hiring journey.

Some leading Nursing, Health and Social Care recruitment and staffing companies can leverage innovative strategies to help reduce unconscious bias. For instance, they might use blind screening techniques, removing personally identifiable characteristics from the applications they pass onto your teams. This can help you focus on a person’s skills and abilities when short-listing your options.

Quick Tips for More Effective Job Descriptions

Ensuring your job descriptions are inclusive is an excellent way to boost your chances of attracting top talent in the Nursing, Health and Social Care. However, there are other steps you can take to optimise and enhance your job descriptions, too.

Here are a few additional quick tips for success:

  • Be clear and concise: Use straightforward language to outline all the information your candidates need. Avoid including too much unnecessary information, such as long-winded descriptions of roles and responsibilities.
  • Leverage keywords: Incorporating keywords into your job descriptions that match the responsibilities and requirements of your role can make them easier to find in today’s digital world. Avoid confusing buzzwords like “superstar” or “ninja” when choosing role titles.
  • Highlight your E.V.P.: Draw attention to your unique employee value proposition in your job description. Ensure your candidates can see all the benefits of working with your company, going beyond remuneration to cover development opportunities and an inclusive and supportive company culture.
  • Be flexible: Know how to separate your ideal candidates’ “nice to have” attributes from their needed skills and experience. Be open to exploring applications from various people, including new graduates.
  • Avoid common mistakes: Work with a recruitment and staffing agency to proofread your job descriptions for errors or inconsistencies. Ensure you’re listing your descriptions on the right platforms and that applying for your role is as simple as possible.

A Nursing, Health and Social Care recruitment and staffing company will be able to help you implement all of these tips and strategies to give you the best possible chance of attracting the right talent in 2024.

Write the Best Job Descriptions in 2024

The right job descriptions are crucial to attracting and retaining top talent in 2024. More than just simple documents, good job descriptions boost your chances of improving Nursing, Health and Social Care candidate quality and fit, reducing the time it takes to fill positions, and optimising your employer brand.

They also ensure you can start your relationship with your new employee based on mutual understanding, clarity, and clear expectations.

 

How Everpool Recruitment Can Help You

At Everpool Recruitment, we provide permanent, bespoke recruitment solutions with over 50 years of combined recruitment experience across multiple sectors.

Call one of our friendly team on 0151 556 2090 or email info@everpoolrecruitment.com

Staying Motivated in Your Current Office and Commercial Role: 6 Strategies That Work

March 21, 2024

Motivation is essential to career success. The more motivated you feel in your Office and Commercial role, the more likely you are to unlock superior levels of productivity and efficiency. Plus, highly motivated employees are generally more satisfied and fulfilled by their roles.

However, motivation can be difficult to maintain as Office and Commercial roles grow more challenging and complex. While the Gallup State Of The Global Workforce Reports 2023 revealed that employee engagement is rising, many employees are still “quiet quitting” due to lacking motivation.

Discovering how to re-ignite and retain high motivation levels could give you a crucial edge in your career, pave the way for progression, and boost your professional brand. Here are some top strategies you can use to find your drive.

Strategy 1: Setting Personal and Professional Goals

Setting clear, achievable goals impacts your motivation and productivity levels as a Office and Commercial employee. Several studies show that by setting goals and giving ourselves specific targets to work towards, we boost our chances of achieving what we want.

Goals can even help deter procrastination and enhance your confidence at work. In your career, it’s essential to have short-term and long-term goals that align with your personal and professional aspirations and the broader objectives of the organization you work with.

Set aside time to complete a self-assessment to define what matters most to you in your career and personal life. In the short term, you might want to focus on becoming more efficient at work to complete crucial tasks faster, or you might like to master your influencing and persuasion skills.

In the long term, your goals might be to earn a promotion in your current Office and Commercial business or take on specific new responsibilities.

Remember, long-term and short-term; your goals should be “SMART”: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

For instance, a long-term goal might be:

“Within the next five years, I want to apply for an executive position as [job title]. To do this, I’ll work on developing [specific skills] to show my value to my employer based on the organizations long-term goals of [target].”

Strategy 2: Seeking Feedback and Growth Opportunities

Feedback is a powerful resource for any Office and Commercial employee. Negative feedback, as it is often referred to can be hard to hear. It’s more helpful to consider it as “developmental feedback” as it gives you a clear insight into the specific skills or behaviour to improve, which will contribute to you achieving your desired goals.

Several scientific studies show that regular feedback can keep us motivated by showing us our work, efforts, and progress are being recognized. With that in mind, seek feedback from your peers or colleagues in the workplace, your managers, and mentors.

Based on the feedback you get, look for ways to develop yourself consistently and proactively. Formal training, workshops, cross-departmental projects, and more can all give you excellent opportunities to improve your skills and Office and Commercial knowledge.

Not only will committing to professional development help you progress towards your goals, but it can also reinvigorate your passion for your role, helping you discover new and exciting parts of your job. Plus, self-development will boost your intrinsic motivation levels by paving the way for career advancement.

Strategy 3: Cultivating a Positive Work Environment

Your work environment can affect your work motivation in various ways. A poor working environment, a competitive or unsupported culture, or a limited focus on employee wellbeing can harm mental and physical health, increase stress levels, and lead to disengagement.

In some cases, a sub-par work environment in the Office and Commercial industry can result in burnout, causing you to disconnect from your role and feel less passionate about your career. Alternatively, a good working environment and positive company culture drive motivation.

A Harvard Business Review study found an excellent company culture and working environment minimises emotional pressure and inertia while improving “total motivation”.

While your employer is partly responsible for creating a positive work environment for team members, you can help shape the landscape, too. Consider how changes to your workplace or office, your schedule, and your day-to-day use of systems and processes might improve your experience at work.

Present these suggestions to your employer and explain how they might impact motivation for you and your team members. Highlight the value of a diverse, inclusive, and equitable culture to business leaders to drive them towards positive changes. For instance, several McKinsey studies show diverse workforces perform better financially.

Strategy 4: Maintaining Work-Life Balance

When striving towards ambitious goals in your Office and Commercial role, it’s easy to lose track of work-life balance. One study found around 40% of employees neglect crucial aspects of their lives when focusing on work. However, while feeling “committed” to your role is pivotal, looking after your mental and physical health is also vital.

Think about how you can optimise how you balance professional responsibilities with your personal life. Can you set boundaries with your employer and colleagues, such as establishing when you won’t be willing to work overtime or respond to messages outside of office hours?

How can you improve your work-life balance by finding ways to manage your time more effectively so you’re less likely to feel you need to work through lunch breaks or commit to overtime to adhere to employer expectations?

If you feel overly stressed at work or believe your work-life balance is faltering, speak to your Office and Commercial manager about your options. Ask whether they can help with more flexible scheduling options or offer access to wellbeing initiatives.

Strategy 5: Leveraging Mentorship and Networking

Building relationships with peers in the Office and Commercial industry is another excellent way to increase motivation. Creating strong connections with your colleagues can help to give you a sense of accountability, reminding you that your performance impacts others.

Your peers can also provide support and guidance when your motivation dips, offering positive feedback or words of encouragement. Networking with professionals in the Office and Commercial industry also gives you a great way to cultivate your passion for your sector.

You’ll be able to learn about trends and changes in the landscape from other like-minded people and could even attend exciting events and training seminars that nurture your interests.

Working with a mentor is an excellent option to support your continuing development. A mentor can offer advice, make introductions that expand your network and open doors to new opportunities. They will also be an invaluable sounding board when you are experiencing frustration, demotivation, or disengagement.

Strategy 6: Embracing Challenges and Innovation

Finally, one of the best ways to improve your chances of staying motivated in your current Office and Commercial role is to continue to develop your mindset. Adopting a “growth mindset“, as pioneered by Carol Dweck, means changing how you think about yourself, your skills, and your failures.

People with a growth mindset are more likely to feel motivated because they see everything as an opportunity to learn, develop, and improve. If you’re constantly looking for ways to enhance your role, you’re more likely to feel passionate and engaged by what you do.

Additionally, a growth mindset means you’re less likely to let failures or mistakes diminish your confidence or motivation. Look for opportunities to nurture your growth mindset by seeking new responsibilities or projects in your Office and Commercial role to push you out of your comfort zone.

Take advantage of opportunities to explore innovative new solutions and technology in your sector, experiment with creative problem-solving strategies, and see every challenge as exciting. Embracing this mindset will re-ignite your enthusiasm for your role and could help you achieve a wider range of goals.

Stay Motivated in your Current Office and Commercial Role

Maintaining motivation is crucial to staying productive in your Office and Commercial role, achieving your professional goals, and unlocking new opportunities. However, motivation can be difficult to preserve, particularly in a challenging working environment.

Regularly reflect on your motivation levels at work, and use the strategies above to re-ignite your drive when it starts to diminish.

Alternatively, if you feel that no matter what you do, you can’t rediscover the motivation you need in your current role, work with a Office and Commercial recruitment agency to find a new position that aligns with your priorities and strengths.

At Everpool Recruitment, we have been helping Office and Commercial job seekers find their ideal roles for numerous years. If you want us to help you find your ideal role, call us at 0151 556 2090 or email us here info@everpoolrecruitment.com

What You Need to Know and Understand About Talent Pipelines This Year

March 14, 2024

Talent pipelines aren’t new in the recruitment landscape. For years, they’ve offered employers an opportunity to streamline and enhance the hiring process, fill talent gaps, and minimise business disruptions.

In 2024, however, the demand for effective talent pipelines is greater than ever.

Cultivating and building a strong talent pipeline allows the businesses to access talented candidates faster while strengthening your employer brand and improving the quality of the professionals you drive to your business.

Here’s what you need to know about the evolution of talent pipelines in 2024.

What Are Talent Pipelines?

Broadly, a talent pipeline is a pool of candidates ready to fill existing or future positions in your organisation. These candidates can include existing employees, who may be able to move into more demanding positions with the right training and succession plans.

It can also include individuals who have shown interest in working with your business in the past, as well as “passive” candidates who are not currently searching for a new role but are open to exploring opportunities in the future.

Building a talent pipeline can be more complex than it seems and involves more than just collecting C.V.s from potential candidates. Business leaders must also proactively search for and source new talent consistently and engage with potential hires.

The talent pipelining process includes the following:

  • Sourcing: Proactively seeking candidates through various environments and channels, from social media platforms like LinkedIn to job fairs, using search and recruitment companies and events.
  • Attracting: Drawing candidates to your business with effective employer branding, compelling job descriptions, and an engaging employee value proposition.
  • Engaging: Nurturing relationships with candidates through consistent communication, support, and insights into emerging opportunities.
  • Evaluating: Examining each candidate’s potential to fill both current roles and potential positions that may emerge in the future.
  • Hiring: Inspiring candidates with compelling job offers when opportunities become available, often with the help of a recruitment team.

The Role of Recruiters in Building Talent Pipelines

Building and maintaining comprehensive talent pipelines is often a time-consuming process. The right strategy requires finding diverse talent opportunities, demonstrating an exceptional employer brand, and nurturing long-lasting relationships.

In today’s skills-short landscape, where competition for professionals in the industry is fierce and employee priorities are evolving, building a talent pipeline is harder than ever. 62% of H.R. professionals say their organisations talent pipeline isn’t robust enough.

Fortunately, recruiters can offer employers a crucial competitive edge. The right recruitment and staffing company can open the door to a wider talent pool, leveraging pre-existing relationships with talent in your industry and implementing innovative sourcing techniques.

Recruiters can help enhance your employer brand and proactively attract new candidates. They can assist with crafting engaging employee value propositions and writing compelling job descriptions.

Plus, recruiters can be essential in enhancing the candidate experience and nurturing potential talent with frequent communication and updates.

How To Build Your Talent Pipeline in 2024

Working with a recruitment team is the best way to develop and optimise a robust talent pipeline in 2024. However, ensuring you have a strategy that delivers results and addresses the challenges and roadblocks today’s employers face is vital.

1.    Identify Current and Potential Skill Gaps

The first step in developing a stronger talent pipeline for 2024 is identifying your recruitment needs. Crucially, it’s not enough to focus on the skills and talents crucial to your business today but also the gaps you may need to fill in the future.

Make a list of essential staff members in your organisation and their characteristics. Ask yourself how you’ll deal with these team members leaving your company. Do you already have succession plans in place? If so, how will they impact your future recruitment strategy?

Next, consider the trends and innovations affecting your business and how they might affect the candidates you need to source. For instance, in 2024, many employers will search for candidates well-versed in generative A.I. and automation tools.

2.    Recognise Current Recruitment Challenges

Recruitment in 2024 is growing more complex. Skill shortages remain a significant issue in every industry, creating high levels of competition for top talent. As of 2024, companies of all sizes continue to struggle to fill skill gaps. At the same time, increasing demand for things like flexible work and empathy in the workplace are leading to more discerning candidates with higher expectations.

These factors, combined with an increasing need for digital literacy in every role, higher salary demands, and more, have a major impact on recruitment strategies. Understanding the challenges you may face in 2024 should help you craft a hiring plan that boosts your chances of reaching the right talent this year.

It could also be crucial to ensure you can source the right level of support from the recruitment partner you choose to work with.

3.    Explore New Talent Sourcing Methods

Once you’ve identified the skills you need from your talent and the challenges you’re likely to face, the next step is to explore various talent-sourcing methods available to you, including employee referrals.

Recruitment agencies will also be able to help you with this by offering access to in-depth market knowledge, market mapping services, and a professional network of passive candidates
that are not active on job boards and social media.

Often these types of candidates can be missed by internal talent teams.

4.    Invest in Attracting and Engaging Candidates

Since finding candidates for your talent pipeline can be one of the biggest recruitment challenges you’ll face this year, finding ways to attract professionals to you is extremely important. This starts with creating an employer brand that drives awareness of your business’s unique benefits, from a focus on diversity and inclusion to development opportunities.

A Google search on “how important is employer branding to candidates” generates 76 million results, so a company’s reputation is certainly at the front of a candidate’s mind. For employers, this means it’s important to keep a close eye on the message you’re sending about your company culture and the work experience you can offer.

It’s also worth taking a closer look at your job descriptions. Make sure they’re compelling, inclusive, and informative. Avoid any language that might show unconscious bias, and draw attention to the reasons candidates should want to work with your business.

5.    Commit to Building Stronger Relationships

A significant part of building strong talent pipelines in 2024 is building and maintaining relationships with the right candidates. You’ll need to ensure you have a strong connection with the talent you source to convince them to join your team at the right moment.

According to some reports, it can take up to 8 connections with a company for a person to form an opinion about them. This means you’ll need to regularly connect with your talent pipeline and share insights into your company culture and evolving organisation.

Technology can help with this. For instance, you can use A.I. and automation to craft personalised messages to send to your candidates weekly or monthly. Sharing value-added content that supports their role and future career development will be received while your recruitment team can reach out proactively to help nurture relationships.

6.    Leverage Technology with Care

Speaking of technology, artificial intelligence is beginning to play a more significant role in developing talent pipelines and the recruitment strategy. Around 66% of recruiters use some form of A.I. technology to help enhance hiring processes.

However, while these tools can speed up processes, simplify tasks like writing job descriptions, and even assist with candidate screening, they have limitations. Bias and inaccuracies can emerge from an over-reliance on automated tools.

Business leaders must keep people in the loop within the recruitment process and watch for potential issues to avoid reputational damage. Don’t expect to transform recruitment into a fully automated strategy.

The Benefits of Building Stronger Talent Pipelines

Effective talent pipelines are more important than ever to today’s employers. The right strategy can significantly improve the efficiency of your recruitment process, reducing the time it takes to fill positions and attract new candidates.

Having systems in place that allow you to hire the “ideal” candidate the first time increases retention rates and reduces the cost of poor hires.

A good talent pipeline improves the quality of your hires, enhances long-term workforce planning, and minimises possible risks.

 

At Everpool Recruitment, we have been helping firms acquire talent for numerous years. We have placed thousands of candidates; if you want to find out how we can help, call us at 0151 556 2090 or email us here info@everpoolrecruitment.com.