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4 Ways to Support Women in the Workforce

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Happy 2023!

Often, as the new year rolls in, people proclaim that the new year consists of 365 days of new opportunities, and that is a valid statement. Unfortunately for many women, the new year continues to pose workplace challenges that did not end on December 31st.

Let’s take a look at the new year from a mathematical view.

A typical calendar year is 365 days. The average full-time employee will work approximately 260 of those 365 days, or roughly 71% of the year.  According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, women earned 83.1% compared to men’s earnings in 2021. This is down 1% from data collected in 2020.

Looking at this wage differential, women would need to work almost 45 more days a year to earn what men do in a calendar year. Not so much of a happy new year.

So let’s take a better look at what your company can do to better support the women at your company.

Women would need to work almost 45 more days a year to earn what men do in a calendar year.

Women in the workforce are often held to superheroic, unrealistic standards of excellence. They are expected to be stellar employees who work constantly to earn “exceeds expectations” on their performance evaluations. Many do this while also being a logistics coordinator in their home, maintaining their households and providing care to their loved ones.

With these pressures and expectations, it is no surprise that burnout in women is rising faster than in men. The pandemic unfortunately exacerbated these factors. Many women were forced to make hard decisions that have impacted the global business market. Women are leaving the work world at a faster rate than men, and they are also less likely to fill leadership positions.

In October 2022, McKinsey and Company, in partnership with LeanIn.org, released its latest “Women in the Workplace” study. The report is a must-read for any organization. The findings spotlight challenges that organizations must identify and overcome to provide women with the resources for success.

Employers need to be vocal advocates for women in the workplace. They can do this by creating a supportive, mentoring environment. One that invests in opportunities for women to demonstrate their tenacity. This post will provide four key ways, for an organization to support women in the workforce.

1.) Focus on Leadership Opportunities

Women earn more than half of the college and advanced degrees awarded in the United States. Women hold 23% of executive positions, 29% of senior management positions, 37% of manager positions, 42% of professional positions, and 47% of support staff positions globally. Why are there not more women in leadership positions?

Multiple studies have yielded similar results. There is a predominant assumption that women are not interested in leadership roles. Often times, though, leadership and advancement are not discussed with women in employee/supervisor meetings. And unlike men, women are not as likely to apply for a role unless they feel they are completely qualified for it.

Nonlinear Career Paths

Data shows that it is getting harder for women to rejoin the workforce because employers are questioning gaps on women’s resumes. This leads to selecting individuals, often men, who do not have employment gaps. Employers should become open to employment opportunities with women who have nonlinear career paths. This will increase the talent pool dramatically, while also enhancing it with talent that is resilient, determined, and more than capable.

Entry-Level Management Roles

Organizational leaders need to create goals to recruit and promote women on all levels starting with a focus on entry-level management. McKinsey identified that for every 100 men who are promoted from entry-level roles to manager positions, only 87 women are promoted, and only 82 women of color are promoted. As a result, men significantly outnumber women at the manager level. As advancement continues, there is still a lack of women in the promotion queue eventually to the point where there are not enough women available for promotion to senior leadership positions.

Unconscious Bias

Jobs posted in an organization’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS) should be gender neutral and evaluated to ensure there is no unconscious bias that implies a job is better suited for a specific gender. Make sure all employment applications use language that is non-discriminatory.

When an organization emphasizes recruitment, retention and promotion of women, it expands their talent pool, It also recognizes highly skilled contributors that personify talent in the workplace. Growing internal talent fosters a commitment between employees and the employer. This results in reduced training costs and quicker time to productivity as talent is already acclimated to the company’s culture. Implementing these changes can help to support women in the work place.

2.) Provide Support Resources

Since March 2021, 28% of women with children under 18 in the household have temporarily or permanently left the workforce to become a primary caregiver to children compared to 10% of men. The cost of childcare is one of the top reasons women leave the workplace. Approximately 55% of families report spending at least $10,000 annually on childcare. Organizations who offer childcare and elder care assistance are more likely to retain women. Providing extended leave time with the ability for the employee to return to a similar role helps eliminate concerns of unemployment.

DEI Initiatives

Women tend to be more involved in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and seek to foster an inclusive nature. McKinsey’s study revealed that approximately 50% of women say their manager regularly encourages respectful behavior on their team, and less than half say their manager shows interest in their career and helps them manage their workload. Organizations need to provide training and resources to managers so they can become stronger leaders instead of managers. Management needs to be cognizant of their team’s needs. Identify where challenges are manifesting and openly discuss internal and external resources to facilitate women’s evolution within their jobs.

Strengthen Relationships

Setting weekly or bi-weekly check-ins is a way to strengthen the professional relationship. Open communication with managers helps women convey concerns, proactively identify signs of burnout, and evaluate workload manageability. The past two years have lit the fuse to ignite a population of employees experiencing burnout. Providing managers with the skill set they need to identify ways to motivate, encourage and mentor their teams will benefit everyone. Women seek employers that support the whole employee, at and outside of work.

3.) Resolve Inequalities

Pay transparency increases trust among employees in an organization if men and women are earning parallel wages. This kind of equity shows a commitment to providing fair compensation to the individual regardless of any protected classification and that compensation is based on the responsibilities of the job and tenets of proven success. Pay equity validates that gender is irrelevant; pay is relative to performance and job duties. When a company provides transparency and equity in pay, it is more likely to retain top performers along with keeping and growing women with leadership potential.

Unconscious Bias

Create a work environment that is amicable, not adversarial, towards women. This will continue to support women at work. In the past two years, women have been 1.5 times as likely, compared to men in parallel roles, to leave a job to move to a company that was more committed to DEI initiatives. Ensure that employees understand conscious and unconscious bias, and provide resources to remove bias internally. Gender bias is defined as preferring one gender more than another. Women are often subject to various microaggressions such as being interrupted in meetings and decisions being questioned.

Micro-Aggressions

Women of color, disabled women, and LGBTQ+ individuals are more susceptible to being the recipient of micro-aggressions. Discrimination impedes productivity and prevents employees from demonstrating their full potential. Communicate and uphold policies that exclaim that discrimination will not be tolerated.

When teammates can appreciate others’ unique characteristics and talents, the work environment becomes more positive and productive resulting in an employer brand that radiates “this is the best place to work”. Eliminating discrimination will also aid in supporting women at work.

4.) Flexibility

Wearing that superhero cape can be daunting. When an organization instills a flexible work environment, the organization empowers employees to take ownership of tasks and responsibilities.  It also shows that they trust that the work can and will be done. Remote work is not just about removing commute times and providing convenience. McKinsey’s study showed that women who work remotely for part of their work schedule experience fewer micro-aggressions and higher levels of psychological safety.

Psychological Safety

According to Forbes, psychological safety is the ability to show and employ one’s self without fear of negative consequences of self-image, status or career. They feel more comfortable doing their tasks and can complete responsibilities. They don’t need to look over their shoulder or validate their decisions compared to working in-person.

Unfortunately, women who work remotely are at higher risk to be overlooked for promotions and to receive public praise for success. Mentorships are proven means to help employees grow professionally. These and are more often provided to onsite employees as compared to virtual employees. Being remote should not eliminate this professional development opportunity. Virtual female employees should have equal opportunity to establish and maintain professional mentorships.

Performance Reviews

Remote women employees have a higher risk of not receiving proper accolades for successful results. This is because of the “out of sight, out of mind” concept. Performance reviews are often a factor in evaluating current talent for promotions.  At performance evaluation time, it is essential that tasks and results are the items measured – not work location and gender. If managers favor onsite employees’ work compared to remote work, managers are succumbing to bias.

As the new year commences, organizations need to evaluate their strategies in place to assist women in the workforce. Companies that take a genuine interest in the professional development of the women work population will exude success through successful recruitment and higher retention of contributing talent to experience heightened productivity. Women seek a work environment that fuels their internal fire for their ambition. Let this fire burn!

ExactHire Full Service Hiring

At ExactHire, we have a proven process to help employers increase their volume of qualified candidates and quickly hire new employees. Our team takes care of writing and posting job ads, screening applicants, and interviewing candidates. Then we deliver you a list of qualified candidates from which to hire.

If you are a company that needs to grow, but don’t have the time or resources to hire, then allow ExactHire to help!

Contact us here to let us help you hire today!

What Do Job Seekers Want in 2023?

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Your company needs to be able to attract and retain top talent if you expect to grow and scale in 2023. Hiring practices and onboarding processes of yesterday won’t necessarily be effective today. And the professionals you need to bring into your organization are going to be more careful about making career shifts. learning about job seekers wants and needs can give you a leg up on competition and put your job posts at the front of peoples wish lists.

Passive and active candidates alike have a new playbook for what they need from their employers. As well as what they will and won’t consider in company culture, benefits, pay, and growth potential. Improving your hiring strategies means understanding what job seekers want most in today’s employment landscape. Here is some of what hiring managers can expect from 2023’s candidate pools.

The DEIB Dynamic

Job seekers will be doing their homework on potential employers before they even apply. Companies that don’t have a visible and transparent position on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, or DEIB, will likely be overlooked. Company inclusion is a top priority for candidates who are looking to elevate their careers with best-fit organizations. When your company provides relevant efforts and initiatives that support DEIB in the workplace, you can attract more top-quality candidates in 2023.

The 32-Hour Work Week

There are other trends rooted in surveys and job seeker feedback, including an emerging preference for a 32-hour work week. Forbes shared additional reasoning behind this more commonplace conversation, including an employee preference for less demanding work environments. Work-life balance is a big factor for professionals who are looking to make career changes. And while your company may not be fully prepared to adopt a shortened work week, you can be making improvements that prioritize a less stressful, less demanding work week.

Career Development and Growth Opportunities

Job seekers are looking for employment opportunities that also provide additional learning and growth. There is more value placed on a company that provides various paths for continuing education, professional development, and internal promotion. When crafting your job descriptions and benefits outlines, be sure to include career development initiatives and support your company has to offer as an incentive for job seekers interested in growth.

Tech, Software, and Modern Management Styles

When applicants interview for new positions, they’ll also be looking to identify whether or not the employer is a forward-thinking enterprise in growth mode. They won’t take the leap to join an organization that feels stagnant or is practicing outdated methods. As an employer looking to attract and retain top talent in 2023, be forthcoming about your company’s growth initiatives. Share new technologies or innovations your business has or plans to adopt. Modern management styles, including employee dashboards for HR and companywide suggestion channels, also signal to a potential hire that the company is employee-centric.

Remote and In-Office Flexibility

Be ready to have the interview conversations about remote work flexibilities. Job seekers don’t just prefer work-from-home or hybrid work environments; they’re growing to expect it in 2023. Of course, not every role within your organization can accommodate a remote work structure. However, when employees can work from a home office, it’s best to negotiate a flexible schedule accordingly.

Inspirational Company Culture

Most applicants won’t expect your company to offer bean bag lounge chairs and gaming stations like some of the entities in Silicon Valley do. However, an inspirational company culture is necessary for today’s hiring landscape. It’s not enough to develop a DEIB practice, either. Consider gathering feedback from your existing teams about what they love and maybe don’t love about coming to work. And follow up with your leadership teams about management styles that welcome new ideas, problem-solving, and reporting methods that employees can wholeheartedly get behind in their day-to-day work environments. Make sure your employees feel connected to the brand and know how they individually contribute to the success of the company. Those improvements will attract new candidates who want to be a part of your inspirational work environment.

Valuable Benefits

Consider reviewing your current roster of employee benefits. Are there perks that aren’t being used? Are there incentives that no one seems motivated to get? Today’s job seekers are more precise about what they value as a company benefit. Beyond pay structure and time off, they’ll be looking for customized and more unique company perks, including those relating to:

  • Financial Wellness
  • Family-Friendly Benefits
  • Affordable & All-Inclusive Healthcare
  • Voluntary Benefits

Knowing what job seekers want from their employers in 2023 will help you better prepare to meet those emerging preferences and new standards. Consider these insights as you improve your hiring, onboarding, and retention strategies. And if you need a partner, who can help you change your approach to hiring, let ExactHire be your guide!

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Improving Your Applicant Screening Process

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The growth and success of your company will depend on a few key criteria. While most companies are focusing on innovating products and services, it’s imperative to also review your current methods for screening new candidates. Your applicant screening process plays a pivotal role in whether or not you’re able to hire the staff you need to grow and scale.

Today’s applicants have different expectations and preferences, too. And below are steps that you can consider to ensure your applicant screening process is adapting with those potential top-talent candidates.

Evaluating Your Company’s Current Applicant Screening Process

You can’t make changes to your process without first evaluating its current effectiveness. Consider sitting down with your hiring teams and walking through every stage in the applicant screening process. Review how you craft job descriptions and where you find the most interactions online.

Scrutinize the timelines from application submission to first contact, and from resume evaluation to interview determinations. Look at your current methods of communicating with potential candidates, too. And rely on the feedback of past applicants and human resources hiring staff to help you identify what areas could be improved.

Look for Ways to Improve Efficiencies

Another area of improvement for application screening involves your standard processes. How much time is your team spending reviewing applications? Are they sorting through CVs, and sending individualized correspondence? Are applicants falling through the cracks before they can engage? Are your hiring managers burning out on tedious organizational tasks? Evaluating the step-by-step procedures in place is imperative to spotting inefficiencies. 

One of the most exhausting and resource-consuming processes is interviewing. You can make leaps and bounds improvements when you focus on streamlining your applicant interviewing techniques. Being more selective about which candidates make it to the interview phase is a great first step. Additionally you can also explore other interview aspects, like:

  • Length and Duration of the Interview
  • Number of Interviews Needed
  • Number of Interviewers in Each Engagement
  • Times and Dates Interviews Are Conducted
  • Scope and Line of Questioning

Automating and Simplifying Your Applicant Screening Process

With that list of inefficiencies in mind, you can move forward to leverage automated hiring solutions to help simplify those time-consuming tasks. Incorporating just a few automated responses or calculations in your applicant screening process can save hours of time and thousands of dollars.

However, not all apps and hiring solutions will be conducive to your candidate’s experience. So, be selective about choosing those automations that simplify your process, but also bring value or improvement to how your candidates experience your hiring process.

Effective Applicant Tracking Software

One core solution worth exploring is the effectiveness of your current applicant tracking software. If your ATS doesn’t offer these benefits, it’s likely time for an upgrade. 

  • Robust Advertising Options for Job Postings
  • Mobile Recruiting Solutions
  • Customizable Application Options
  • Background Check Tools
  • Candidate Skills Assessment 
  • HR Compliance and Administration Resources
  • Applicant Communication Solutions
  • Integrated Onboarding Tools
  • Custom Reporting and Analytics

Better Evaluation of Applicant Skills

Screening potential candidates can be another tedious process, subject to personal interpretation, which can lead to inconsistencies in your hiring practices. Consider looking for ways to improve how your team evaluates applicant skills and requirements by leveraging better assessment tools.

Additionally, for many company leaders, it may be time to redefine the skills that matter most to each role. Today’s applicants bring degrees and endorsements, bu they also bring soft skills and experiences that can be equally valuable to your company. Look for ways to level the playing field and make resume comparisons more of an apples-to-apples approach for your hiring managers and recruiters. Create lists of valuable skills to look for, tangible and intangible, to improve how candidates are evaluated in the process.

Communication Strategy Improvements

 

Keeping applicants engaged, informed, and enticed is paramount if you want to hire today’s top talent (because you can’t screen applicants that leave your process). So if every other aspect of your applicant screening process is buttoned-up and streamlined, you can almost always find additional improvements within your candidate communication efforts.

Consider re-evaluating your communication channels and messaging, and look for better tools and methods of communication. The best-fit candidates will choose to work with a company that over-communicates versus the brand that ghosts them or seems unresponsive, every time. 

The ExactHire Difference

As you seek to spot improvements in your applicant screening process, it can pay big dividends to bring in a professional partner. When you work with ExactHire, you can effectively change your entire approach to hiring. With ongoing metrics and resources to help you improve your applicant tracking and hiring outcomes, you and your teams can remain confident in your processes. 

Contact our team to explore our hiring solutions today! Your company can’t grow without the right people in the right roles. And ExactHire can ensure you find, engage, and hire the people you need to maintain your growth and scaling.

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How to Negotiate Salary

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There’s no denying that some people are not comfortable negotiating their salaries after the job search is over and they’ve already landed an opportunity. Some applicants find negotiating salary as a jeopardizing move to the opportunity they’ve gained.

A survey by Salary.com showed that 38% of people negotiate their salaries while 18% never do. Worse yet is that 44% of respondents acknowledged they have never brought up the topic of a salary raise during performance reviews and appraisal exercises.

When exploring the leading hindrance towards negotiating for a salary raise, we realized it was fear. Most people were afraid of losing the opportunities they worked for. Worse yet, most employees are afraid of getting embroiled in arguments and corporate politics that they’re bound to lose.

Regardless of the reason, failing to negotiate for a salary is bad, but fearing to do so is even worse.

Tips on How to Negotiate Salary

Below we list some strategies and best practices you can use to negotiate your salary.

1.) Know your value

Knowing your value is the first step in negotiating your salary or payment. Always ask for a fair salary for a fair effort. To get the salary you deserve, you need to identify the pay scale of your specific position, in a specific industry, and geographic area.

If you walk into a salary negotiation table without a specific number, you’ll be at the mercy of an experienced HR manager who’ll control the conversation.

So, it’s always advisable to do your due diligence and research keenly to know how much professionals in your specific sector and position earn before negotiating salary.

2.) Talk to recruiters

Another way to research salary negotiations is to pick calls from recruiters. Recruiters know how much people in your industry and position are worth. Recruiters work with a diverse network of professionals, applicants, and job seekers.

So, if someone engages you with a job offer, inquire about the duties, responsibilities, and pay for that position. While you may not obtain a specific number, a pay range is helpful.

3.) Build your case

It’s advisable to demonstrate why you need a specific salary or pay range than just simply quoting figures. That means that once you receive a salary offer, don’t just counter the offer with a higher amount.

Instead, let your research, inspiration, and reasons for a specific salary center on why you think you deserve a particular sum. List your strengths, experience, and qualifications. Build a solid case for why your salary should be reviewed to a higher figure.

4.) Set the bar higher

While negotiating salary, you may be tempted to pick an average offer that seems fiscally convenient or affordable to your employer and great for you as a starter. Don’t be afraid to ask for the best offer.

5.) Know the exact number

Researchers at Columbia Business School say you should ask for a specific number when negotiating your salary – say $75,667 instead of $75,000. It turns out that when job applicants or potential employees ask for a specific salary, they’re likely to get the final offer closer to what they’re hoping for.

That’s because the employer will think you’ve extensively researched salary and pay range to reach that specific figure. So, quoting salaries instead of offering particular ranges gives the impression that you’re aware of salary ranges for specific positions.

6.) Be willing to walk away

When negotiating your salary, set a quote that represents a minimum figure that you’re willing to forego the position if this figure is not attained. This salary figure could be based on market conditions, financial need, or even a desire to feel good about what you’re bringing home. While walking away from a seemingly lucrative offer may not be easy, it’s critical to know when to do it – and always feel powerful to say ‘no’

7.) Make sure you’re ready!

Ask yourself a few questions before asking for a salary raise.

Have you taken on a few responsibilities since employment? Have you been at work for a year? Do you have a culture of exceeding expectations rather than just meeting them? What special qualifications, skills, or experiences do you have that set you apart?

The answer to all these questions must be ‘yes’ when negotiating for higher pay.

8.) Plan right

It turns out that timing is the perfect thing to do. However, most employees wait until performance review seasons to ask for a pay raise, but by that time, your boss has already decided and outlined what raises will be doled out to specific employees.

Start talking to your boss about salary increments three or four months before appraisals. The bosses decide the budget three to four months before they dole out any pay increments.

9.) Perks and benefits

It’s advisable to factor in perks and benefits when negotiating your salary. That’s because salary negotiation often includes some give-and-take on employee benefits. It’s less costly for an employer to offer flexible work schedules, vacation days, and work-from-home benefits than higher salaries.

So, negotiating your salary goes beyond negotiating your financial or fiscal status. It involves identifying non-fiscal factors like schedules, plans, and programs that best fit your lifestyle, interests, hobbies, and continued professional development.

10.) Know when to wrap it up!

Lastly, know when to wrap it up during salary negotiations. While a reasonable employer or boss won’t withdraw an offer just because you tried to get a higher deal, dragging out the salary negotiation process may disgruntle the hiring manager and begin the relationship on a poor note.

So, if the company can’t meet your salary requirements after a few negotiations, it’s advisable to withdraw and seek better opportunities that meet your compensation expectations.

Otherwise, dragging out salary negotiations may prove counterproductive and potentially jeopardize your offer – no matter how lucrative.

 

ExactHire is a leading provider of  best-in-class hiring solutions. ExactHire provides robust and versatile hiring and onboarding software to help employers manage the recruitment and onboarding process easily.

ExactHire Full Service Hiring is a great option for employers who don’t have the time or resources to manage an internal hiring process–let our team advertise your open positions, manage applicant communications, screen candidates based on your criteria, and then deliver you qualified best-fit candidates.

 

 

How to Reach Passive Job Seekers

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At ExactHire, we help employers hire through the use of our software and our team of SHRM certified strategists.  Our solutions are effective for attracting both active and passive job seekers. However, in this post, we will discuss how employers can attract passive job seekers. We’ll do this by defining just who is a passive job seeker, then explore their characteristics and establish how employers can launch an effective recruiting initiative.

Who is a Passive Job Seeker?

Put simply, passive job seekers are individuals who already have a job, but would consider another opportunity if it arises.

Think of them as employees on the go–who can quickly hop to the next opportunity when it shows up. They are not totally satisfied with their current job and constantly have an eye out for new opportunities to grow their career. Research shows that the percentage of passive job seekers is continuing to rise, particularly following the storm of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Characteristics of Passive Job Seekers

Now that we’ve identified who a passive job seeker is,  let’s explore the characteristics and traits of these professionals

1.) Open for contact

As discussed earlier, passive candidates are open for new positions, although they may not actively seek these positions due to present work engagements.

They’re always open to learning about new job openings. They’re willing to hear about job offers–bonuses, packages, and new roles. However,  since they are not actively searching for new opportunities, their interest must be triggered by job ads or direct contact.

Therefore, if you’re looking for passive job seekers, consider being actively engaged in finding them. Inquire from colleagues or others in your network whether there are talented professionals who’d be open to working in a different set-up..

2.) Have individual ambition

Passive job seekers are in a better position than most job seekers. That’s because they already have a job; they’re just seeking new opportunities and greener pastures.

Because they’re in a good position, it’s critical to give them an offer they cannot turn down. Professional and personal development motivate some candidates. Others are inspired by a flexible work schedule that supports a positive work-life balance. Others also prefer better payments and better perks. Sometimes targeting passive job seekers is about a fit between personal and company culture.

According to research by Glassdoor, below are five main factors that make professionals likely to show interest in a job offer:

  • Better payments and perks – 48%
  • Better, convenient access or easy commute – 47%
  • High salaries – 46%
  • Work-life-balance – 43%
  • Work-from-home flexibility – 41%

3.) Long-term thinking

Passive job seekers have a long-term thinking mindset. They think of the future and aren’t satisfied with short-term gains over long-term rewards. Their desire to grow and eventually realize their careers. Sometimes realizing their long-term goals may constitute finishing their education first or gaining more experience.

Either way, employers targeting passive job seekers must consider their long-term strategy. The fact that they’re seeking better opportunities is a clear indication of their plans and futuristic mindset. Giving passive job seekers clear opportunities for career growth and recognizing their life-long priorities is a great way of reaching out to them.

4.) Need to be updated

Passive job seekers like to stay updated. And as you embark on reaching out to them, it’s critical to lay a foundation of close contact. Try to establish rapport with them by establishing avenues for contact and interaction – whether online or offline.

For instance, you may build rapport with someone who’s interested but not ready to switch up to a new role just yet. If this happens, it’s advisable to keep in close contact with the candidate for future openings.

By keeping in contact, the professional may be able to make a change when the time is right. Keeping in close contact helps monitor your target job seeker even as time changes.

Why would you want a passive job seeker over an active one?

There are many reasons why organizations and recruiters prefer passive job seekers over active ones:

  • They’re passionate about development and growth. Their passion for growth and professional development implies that your organization can grow with people with a ‘growth’ mindset.
  • Won’t come without a reason. Passive job seekers won’t come to your organization without a reason. These job candidates need incentives for them to consider alternative positions.
  • Choose your organization. Passive job seekers take the time to study your organization. They’re keen to learn the dynamics that make your organization stand out. Because they have a clear goal to achieve, passive job seekers are critical of your organization.
  • Less time pressure. Active job seekers are pressured by time and situation. That means they’re less likely to be critical about their job preferences, which will have long-term implications on job satisfaction levels. Passive job seekers have less time pressure, meaning they’re positioned to make good career decisions.
  • Strong relationship before hiring. When targeting passive job seekers, you’ll find competent candidates who are interested, but not ready to leave their current positions. That is an excellent opportunity for you to build rapport with them and establish a relationship.

Focusing attention on passive job seekers gained momentum in the early 2010’s. Changing job patterns and shifting workplace dynamics have shifted the focus, allowing recruiters to focus their efforts on both active and passive candidates.

ExactHire – Streamlining Your Search for Passive Job Seekers

Whether you’re looking for active or passive candidates, ExactHire provides customizable software solutions that help streamline your hiring. ExactHire provides applicant tracking software, employee onboarding software, and employee assessment software to improve your hiring outcomes.

Rather not implement software? ExactHire Full Service Hiring is a solution for employers who don’t have the time or resources to manage a hiring process. Our team will advertise your open positions, manage applicant communications, screen candidates based on your criteria, and then deliver you qualified best-fit candidates.

What is Fair Chance Hiring?

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Please note:  The ExactHire team is not legal counsel, and we do not offer legal advice, so any questions regarding your company’s eligibility for exemption with the “Ban the Box” or FCA legislation and/or proper verbiage for your company’s employment application(s) should be discussed with your company’s legal counsel.

To understand Fair Chance Hiring, you first need to understand the United States incarceration problem. The United States has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world. Today, the number of incarcerations stands slightly over 70 million.

Sometimes, a criminal record can follow a reformed criminal for years. Making them feel physically and financially imprisoned long after serving their sentence.

Formerly incarcerated persons are no different from other Americans. They have the right to get a job, secure employment, and enjoy financial security and sustainability.

Previously incarcerated persons need to earn a living, support families, and feel they positively impact society. Being part and parcel of a thriving society helps reduce recidivism.

Unfortunately, having a criminal record often presents a demoralizing reality to past offenders. Due to their criminal history, past offenders are likely to be ruled out during interview and hiring processes. A study by Harvard University has shown that a criminal record interferes with an offender’s future job prospects. Having a criminal record reduces an employer’s call-back rate by half. Offenders are also likely to be ruled out in interview processes even when qualified.

These factors are the fuel behind the Fair Chance Hiring Act.

Fair Chance Hiring

The Fair Chance Act, or FCA, is based on the premise that everyone, regardless of their past criminal history, should have a chance to be employed if they are qualified for a position that they are applying for. The Fair Chance Hiring Act deems everyone equal and worthy to be assessed for positions they are qualified for and proficient in.

What are the benefits of fair chance hiring?

Companies and organizations that embrace fair chance hiring have an opportunity to expand their talent pool. They can also better understand their markets and customers–and achieve improved customer outcomes. So if you’re looking to bridge market and customer gaps, fair chance hiring may help you do just that.

Diversity and inclusivity

Although most organizations want to build a diverse workforce, conversations about inclusivity often stop at gender, race, and orientation. The conversation needs to extend to persons with criminal histories to build really inclusive workforces. Fair chance hiring helps organizations create a diverse and inclusive workforce by expanding the definition of a diverse talent pool.

Competitive positioning

In times of low unemployment, it’s a candidate’s responsibility to play the field and identify the most rewarding opportunities. Low unemployment rates mean job candidates will try out many job opportunities before deciding which one is ideal for them. This situation makes it hard for organizations to find, train, and keep new hires quickly and efficiently.

Fair chance hiring practices expand your reach to potential candidates that your competitors may not consider. And since persons with criminal histories have a challenging time finding jobs, you might not deal with a drawn-out hiring process, or deal with high turnover rates.

Better ROI for hiring

According to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, 80% of managers acknowledged that the value brought by persons with a criminal history is equal to that of workers with no criminal history.

Another study by the John Hopkins Hospital found out that after four years, workers with a criminal history had 44% better retention rates than persons without a criminal past. John Hopkins Hospital has employed persons with criminal past since 2000, making it a trendsetter in the fair chance hiring discourse.

But how does that translate into a better ROI for hiring? When hiring, companies my feel the need to spend excessively on recruitment by sponsoring job posts to beat our the competition. When onboarding, organizations will spend a significant amount of money hiring and training, which is a wasted if the new hire hops to another workplace. Fair chance hiring practices can offer a better return on investment by reducing the need to spend on recruitment and producing candidates that are appreciative of the employment opportunity and will therefore stay longer.

How do Companies Utilize Fair Chance Hiring?

Hiring persons with criminal records helps reduce recidivism rates, keeping past offenders from conflicts with the criminal justice systems. However, hiring persons with criminal histories isn’t just good for society; it has multiple business benefits.

Here are some key ways companies make good use of fair chance hiring practices:

  • Large talent pool. Businesses that use fair chance hiring have a more diverse talent pool in their pipeline. Fair chance hiring allows organizations to expand their search, accessing sometimes hidden talent and ingenious skills from formerly incarcerated persons.
  • Engagement rates. According to a study by Checkr, fair chance candidates outperform other candidates in engagement and trust by 30%. Organizations seeking to foster a strong work culture must include past offenders in their hiring talent pipelines.
  • Reduced turnover rates. Organizations that use high-volume hiring are victims of high turnover rates. Hospitality, retail, and construction are some of the most affected sectors by high turnover rates. Luckily, studies have shown that employees with past criminal histories are more loyal to their employers. And based on a published survey, employers who’ve hired fair chance workers have positive remarks about this talent pipeline.
  • Diversity and inclusion. Organizations are moving towards sustainability. There are many ways to examine sustainability, including environmental and social wellbeing. A crucial part of sustainability efforts is ensuring and upholding fundamental human rights, including the right to fair treatment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion – and criminal history.

Needless to say, hiring fairly is hiring diversely; organizations that hire formerly incarcerated workers enjoy diversity and inclusivity because they welcome candidates that are often marginalized and locked out of other job opportunities.

Today, more than ever, organizations have a clear chance to right a systemic wrong by simply acknowledging there’s an unfair playing field in the recruitment space. And by giving all applicants an equal chance, organizations can pursue short-term and long-term business gains.

How to Incorporate Fair Chance Hiring in your Organization

Looking beyond a criminal record can be challenging, especially for human resource and talent acquisition managers. Here are a few suggestions to get everyone on board in your organization with a fair chance hiring program.

Educate yourself and your team about the FCA

You must educate yourself and your team on the fair chance hiring act and best practices. When deploying fair chance hiring programs in your organization, start by educating hiring managers and HR personnel on the challenges faced by persons with past criminal histories. For instance, you can share existing statistics on criminal records and define the challenges experienced by formerly incarcerated persons.

The best practices in this step include:

  • Training all personnel involved in the hiring processes
  • Eliminating exclusions of persons with any type of criminal history
  • Eliminating and avoiding questions about past incarcerations in interview processes
  • Developing evidence-based policies for evaluating candidates with a past criminal history
  • Limiting questions about an applicant’s criminal history to what’s stringently related to employment situations or business performance
  • Keeping applicant’s information confidential

Organizations must be steadfast to implement fair chance hiring practices.

Focus on a candidate’s potential

It’s crucial to look at a candidate’s potential as opposed to their criminal history. While the criminal past may present realities about whom you’re working with, you may fail to notice a change of behavior or undermine their abilities if you consider criminal history as an overarching assessment metric. So, focus on a candidate’s potential and proficiency as opposed to their past criminal history.

Evaluate candidates based on roles

It’s critical to ensure you’re only looking at past criminal behavior as it relates to the job at hand or the nature of business operations. For instance, an organization dealing with cash, sensitive customer information, or confidential business transactions may reserve the right not to employ formerly incarcerated persons for genuine, tangible reasons.

However, organizations failing to employ candidates with past criminal histories for purposes other than the above violate the fair chance hiring act.

The EEOC calls out three metrics known as the Green Factors for determining whether or not a person’s criminal past is relevant to the job position at hand.

These factors include:

  • Nature, conduct, and gravity of the offense
  • The time that has elapsed since the offense or completion of the jail sentence
  • The nature of the job sought or held

Organizations must ensure they satisfy the above requirements before ruling out qualified candidates based on criminal histories.

Why Was the Fair Chance Act Passed?

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, otherwise referred to as the Fair Chance Act, was passed on December 17th, 2019, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. The below section demonstrates the key provision of this ‘ban the box’ act and its implications on the employment of persons with criminal histories.

The key provisions of the Fair Chance Act FCA include:

  • Federal agencies and federal civilian contractors will not request information on conviction history from applicants before a conditional job offer is passed to the job candidate.
  • Law enforcement agencies with access to confidential information such as criminal justice histories are exempted by law from discriminating against candidates based on protected information.
  • The US Office of Personnel Management OPM will use the policies and regulations implementing features of the Fair Chance Act FCA to be adopted by the General Services Administration and other oversight authorities.
  • The oversight agencies will establish procedures directing private contractors and job applicants to file complaints against violators of the Fair Chance Act 2019.
  • Another provision of the Fair Chance Act is that stringent and escalating penalties will be issued after a formal written warning to a Federal Agency representative violating this law. Federal Agencies will suspend payments or salaries to employers until the employer complies with the FCA law. But this depends on the severity of their violation.

The Fair Chance Act will begin two years after enactment, which means that as of 2021, the law came into effect, changing what has been once a discriminatory employment landscape for past offenders.

Who Benefits from Fair Chance Hiring?

Individuals, private organizations, and contractors benefit from the fair chance hiring act. For instance, organizations can take advantage of fair hiring to complement their mass hiring efforts, thus meeting short-term labor demands and navigating an unpredictable labor market.

In addition, governments can take advantage of fair chance hiring to create employment for past offenders and reduce recidivism rates. Government contractors and civil servant agencies can benefit from the wealth of knowledge past offenders have, especially relating to correction and post-jail adjustment.

ExactHire – Your Partner in the Adoption of Fair Chance Hiring

Are you an individual, organization, or institution looking to use fair chance hiring? Well, don’t worry. At ExactHire, we help you customize your recruitment, application, and screening process to align with your hiring priorities and strategy.

Take the first step, by scheduling a demo today.

 

Holiday Employee Engagement Ideas

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As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season continues, and employees are trying to stay motivated with dreams of holidays and days off dancing in their heads, Human Resources professionals and management need to take some time to spread some holiday cheer. Connecting with each other, especially during the holiday season, is important to build trust and camaraderie among employees within an organization to elevate employee engagement. As employee engagement increases, productivity increases so it is a win-win for an organization.

Holiday Inclusivity

When planning for holiday themed engagement activities within an organization, be cognizant of the different beliefs and traditions that employees have. Not everyone celebrates the same holidays as others. Ensure that holiday engagement activities are inclusive for everyone to participate to facilitate a true “team” atmosphere. There are approximately 14 major holidays in the fall / winter timeframe so employers should keep that in mind as they start crafting ideas for happy holidays within the work environment. Find out beforehand as to what holidays and events employees do and do not celebrate to start the planning.

 

The holiday season often personifies happiness and cheer, but the holidays are not a time of celebration for many. Financial hardships, health issues, and personal loss can cause wrenching emotional distress, particularly during the holiday season. It is important that an organization promotes mental health for employees. Investing in employees’ mental health is a commitment to their well-being. Happy and motivated employees tend to stay longer with an employer, be more engaged and willing to accept new challenges. During the holiday season, make sure that employees understand they do not have to participate in activities nor will there be any repercussions if they do not. Declining to participate does not make an employee a Scrooge or a Grinch; it simply could be their holiday wish to make it through an emotionally challenging season.

Alternative Options

Customers are the driving force for an organization so show an attitude of gratitude. Mailing cards to customers is not as efficient as in the past. Many people work remotely, and it is possible that cards do not get channeled to onsite recipients in a timely manner. Show your thanks by sending a video thank you. Even if you are not a seasoned marketing guru, making a gratitude video with colleagues can be fun and simple. Once finished, send it to your customers, and even place it on your website so individuals can see your creativity and sincere appreciation for others. Videos can be used in many capacities: managers showing thanks to their team or to communicate organizational messages to new hires and current employees within onboarding software.

Ideas for Remote and Onsite Holiday Employee Engagement

Since many work environments have evolved into hybrid settings, here are some holiday fun ideas that can work for onsite and remote employees. While it can be a bit more challenging for remote teammates to stay engaged in seasonal festivities, it is definitely not impossible. Adapt these ideas to fit the culture of your company. By focusing on the goal of inclusion and excitement, these activities can generate positivity within the organization.

 

  • Sweet treats can bring an extra smile. While some organizations have evolved from employee pitch-ins to catered options due to COVID and convenience, fulfill your team’s sweet tooths by having a cookie decorating session. Many local bakers make cookie decorating packages that can be used by teams. By purchasing those, an organization supports local businesses while having fun with each other. For large companies, cookie vendor chains might be able to discount large orders and more easily ship nationally or internationally.  Cookie decorating kits can be sent to remote employees so set a time for remote and onsite teams to decorate together.
  • Choc – o – LOT! Have a lot of chocolatey goodness by hosting a hot chocolate bar. Smaller organizations can set up an onsite hot chocolate bar with a mix of marshmallows, whipped cream, and add-ins such as sprinkles, chocolate chips, caramels and other tasty treats. For larger organizations, Human Resources, management or other designated leaders can deliver drinks to employees using a mobile cart. Keep in mind dietary restrictions. Have sugar free and dairy free options available. For those who do not like hot chocolate, have coffee or water as alternatives. Send remote employees a make-it-yourself hot chocolate kit or a gift card to get a hot chocolate, coffee or other beverage to enjoy with the team.
  • Show your holiday style with a festive ugly holiday sweater or shirt contest. Have teammates vote anonymously for the best holiday sweater/shirt, and the person with the most votes wins a small prize such as a gift card or company swag.  This is a perfect photo op for your team so make sure you snap a team pic so you don’t say “Oh Snap” later by not having such a memorable photo.
  • Decorate your desk, cubicle or home office with festive decor. Tis the season so jingle all the way with tinsel, garland, stars and sparkles. Beware of bells if you are in a shared work area; those might put some people on the naughty list.
  • Create a cookbook. Some teammates could do a side gig as a chef using their extensive culinary talents while other people rely on the cooking of others. Solicit favorite recipes from employees, and share recipes as an e-book in your company’s onboarding software.
  • Celebrate your employees’ diversity by asking them to share holiday traditions about the holidays they celebrate. Share those stories within your company’s intranet or personally during a teambuilding event. This gives everyone a chance to learn more about each other and will foster a sense of belonging.
  • Serve others by helping individuals who are less fortunate. Partner with a local civic organization or church who have families in need and fulfill the wish list provided. Stock area pantries by hosting a food drive. Remote employees can assist others in their local area or contribute via distance.

Business is Business

While having a positive work environment that is fun and engaging is proven to enhance productivity, there are ways to discuss formal business and still have fun. Some work cultures do not promote holiday thematic events so it is important to still find ways to celebrate others.

 

  • The stars shine brightly! Acknowledge the successes of teammates. Ask for nominations of teammates who have gone above and beyond to demonstrate the company’s values and mission. Share those testimonials throughout the organization on a daily basis.
  • There is no I in Team. Managers can express thanks by sending personalized thank you notes or making a thank you phone call to show appreciation of individuals’ contributions. While an email can show appreciation, that extra effort of a personalized card or call can make a difference. .
  • Treat the team to a lunch or dinner, preferably outside the office, to recap successes. Establish goals for the next quarter or next year to strategically plan for enhanced productivity. Many restaurants have private rooms for use where technology can be used to include remote employees. Send a gift card to remote employees so they can order food while participating in the meeting.
  • Be flexible. Flexibility helps everyone feel not as stretched when balancing professional and personal commitments. Offering additional flex time or encouraging teammates to take PTO can reduce stress. The holidays are full of activities so allowing employees to take time for themselves by participating in their children’s school events, assisting aging family members or even taking time away for oneselves can be a gift itself. Physically and mentally healthy employees bring renewed spirits full of ideas and creativity that will benefit the organization.

 

Ultimately the holiday season is meant to be a time of hope and joy. When an organization focuses on the quality of life for its employees, a season of giving continues throughout the year. By including others and creating events and activities which generate appreciation for each others’ unique backgrounds, the spirit of giving, excitement and happiness is accentuated.

Photo by anncapictures on Pixabay

Why Applicants Are Ghosting Your Company

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The Covid-19 pandemic  shifted the hiring equilibrium. Specifically, it led to a higher demand for labor in certain industries, and in others, it contributed to massive layoffs. The red-hot demand for labor in many industries is one reason why job applicants and employees began “ghosting” employers.

Even now, candidates are still disappearing at various stages of the hiring process–and even after accepting a position. Here are a few areas where employers may encounter ghosting:

  • Face-to-face interview
  • Phone screening
  • First day of work
  • Employment offer letter
  • After lunch, especially on the first day at work

So we we set out to examine some factors that contribute to applicants ghosting a company at these various stages.

Reasons Job Applicants Ghost Employers

Here’s why job applicants are likely to ghost a company.

1.) They are nervous and panic.

The hiring process can be a strenuous exercise of identifying the best candidate to fill an open position. Companies, by using hiring managers and recruitment personnel, design sophisticated recruitment measures to filter out the best from the rest.

All recruitment exercises aim to find the best talent for an available position. Unfortunately, seeking the best talent often leaves much to be desired in the eyes if the applicant, thus creating anxiety and confusion among them.

So, applicants may ghost a company if they find the recruitment process strenuous or overwhelming. This means that employers should seek to balance their priorities of speed-to-hire and best-fit selection with the applicant’s interest in feeling welcomed and valued.

2.) They are unsure of their qualifications for the position.

It’s a common scenario for employers to include many professional and educational requisites in job advertisements. While job ads aim to capture the best candidates, the job description may create expectations that are too demanding.

Employers should ensure that job requirements do not unnecessarily intimidate prospective candidates. Some qualified applicants shy away from ads that require extensive professional experience, so employers should be realistic in regard to what is truly required from the role.

The job ad must seem appealing to a wide range of qualified job seekers in order to maximize the number of job applicants. Make the job description welcoming and try to avoid writing it for specific candidates, as this may hurt your recruiting outcomes.

3.) They have other interviews lined up

Let’s be honest: a candidate is not likely to ghost an employer without an alternative or competing job offer.  Many times, job applicants ghost employers because they have other plans or available opportunities–and they act on them. This is difficult for employers to address, so it’s vital that they do everything they can to mitigate the risk.

One way to do this is provide creative job offers that include signing bonuses and early performance-based incentives. These benefits can help turn the attention of job candidates away from other job opportunities. They will also motivate new hires to remain loyal through those crucial first weeks and months.

4.) Ineffective communication

Job applicants will ghost your company if your communication is inadequate or ineffective. For instance, failing to communicate with applicants may create an impression that your company doesn’t care or, perhaps, even exist. For high-demand job seekers, this is a red flag that will encourage them to quickly look elsewhere.

It’s vital that employers communicate with applicants at every stage of the hiring process. This is accomplished by creating a communication plan that aligns with the hiring process. A communication plan builds rapport with job applicants by reassuring them that it’s worth the effort to apply and stick with the hiring process. Having this plan in place will also improve the chances of retaining new hires, as it provides a strong foundation for an excellent new hire experience.

5.) Your company is different from what they expected

Can you stay at place that you don’t like? Well, for the most part, you can’t. Why? Because we’re attracted to what we love or like. Our likes and passions inform our preferences in life – be it in school, home, workplace, or wherever.

Job applicants and new hires often ghosts employers because they don’t consider it an ideal place to work. This realization can occur at different stages in the hiring process, but when it does, it spooks the applicant or new hire–and they ghost!

An example of this could involve an applicant who is interested in a workplace that supports collaboration and teamwork. If that applicant is sold on an employer that provides that type of workplace, but then feels left alone and unwelcome in the first week of employment, they will ghost. So creating expectations is important, but it’s more important to ensure those expectations are realistic.

Other Reasons Job Applicants Ghost Your Company:

There are many other reasons employees are likely to ghost a company.

  • They saw or heard negative reviews or comments about the company
  • They feel that the job opportunity is a lateral move and decide not to risk it
  • They don’t see evidence of continued professional development
  • They’re unsure of a company’s culture
  • They’re using the interview to secure a counteroffer from another employer

Finally, a lack of psychological or emotional incentives like work-from-home, unmonitored working, and minimal supervision may contribute to applicants ghosting your company.

How to Handle Applicants Ghosting Your Company?

There’s value in using a proactive approach to prevent ghosting, but eliminating it completely is not likely. So, here’s what an employer should do if a job applicant ghosts them:

  • Write messages. The first step is to write emails or messages that evoke a response. If employers are still interested in pursuing a job candidate after they’ve not replied, sending a series of quick voicemails or emails, ‘when are you available to discuss your offer?’, could generate a response.
  • Cut your losses. For some employers, it’s probably best to cut their losses if they send a message that requires a response, but the applicant fails to respond. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, a job applicant’s failure to respond may reflect a character flaw that would make them a bad hire.
  • Keep a record. It’s advisable to keep a record of no-shows and ghosts. Keeping this list may save you money, time, and hiring resources in the future.
  • Boost morale. Sometimes employees may feel demoralized when a new hire fails to show up for a position that has been vacant for a long time. So, it’s advisable for employers to look inward at ways to improve a team’s morale–in addition to the  improving hiring process.

Employers must communicate and build rapport with job applicants to create an effective hiring process that minimizes the chances of ghosting. However when  ghosting does occur, it’t a sign that there may be something wrong with an employers hiring process, work culture, or both. Ghosting is not something to be ignored.

ExactHire – Enhance Your Hiring and Recruitment Efforts

ExactHire helps employers bridge gaps in the hiring process by offering two different solutions:

  • ExactHire Full Service Hiring – our team handles all the work of promoting open positions and screening applicants, then–delivers a short list of candidates for employers to choose from.
  • ExactHire Applicant Tracking System  – employers use our software to efficiently run an in-house hiring process with minimal staff.

To learn more about how these two solutions may address you current hiring need, please schedule a short consultation with us.

Tips for High Volume Hiring

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Organizations pursuing high-volume hiring propel job creation and fuel economic growth. Unfortunately, filling high-volume requisitions isn’t for the faint of heart.

When you’re dealing with mass hiring, you need creative and practical ways to complete it. Talent is one of the most coveted assets, and organizations succeed only when they have the right skills and talent in the pipeline.

What is High-Volume Hiring?

High-volume hiring refers to the practice of filling a high-number open requisitions within a short timeframe. High-volume hiring seeks to fill many available job positions within a limited time.

Organizations and sectors that use high-volume hiring face seasonal hiring periods and experience massive organizational growth or shifts. For instance, a construction company may conduct a mass-hiring exercise to find construction workers for an unusually large project. If that same company specializes in an area like road repair that is impacted by climate, they may hire hundreds for the spring and summer months, but wind hiring down in the fall.

High Volume Hiring Challenges

The Covid-19 pandemic had far-reaching implications on individuals, families, and organizations. Businesses sustained job losses, mass resignations, and supply chain disruptions. They are still finding it hard to identify, train and keep new hires–not to mention their struggle to keep mass hiring initiatives organized.

So obviously, high volume hiring is a challenge at a time of mass resignation with employees are quitting jobs at record highs. HR managers must respond to these dynamic shifts with creativity and agility in attracting, hiring, and retaining talent that’s in high demand.

And with mounting pressure, industries that rely on mass hiring are getting more creative by the day. For instance, TikTok is maximizing video resumes, with companies such as Chipotle, Great Clips, Target, and Shopify trying out TikTok to fill entry-level positions.

Other common challenges for dealing with mass hiring include:

  • Time crunch. It takes a lot of time to place an ad and to officially onboard the first group of new hires. Where possible, look to automate common, repetitive tasks.
  • Interview process overload. Successful high-volume recruitments rely heavily on efficient application screening. Software can help hiring managers quickly focus on the best qualified applicants, while also supporting DEI initiatives.
  • Analysis paralysis. High volume application processes need to be strategically conducted and executed to manage stress and anxiety. This means having a screening plan in place before recruiting begins.
  • Providing a positive candidate experience. It’s easy to focus on getting the job positions filled, but don’t forget about the people behind the job applications. Provide positive feedback and highlight benefits and positive experiences to new hires.

Strategies for High Volume Hiring

Let’s discuss tips for high-volume hiring. These tips will help you navigate the existing challenge of mass resignations and help you identify, attract, and retain high-demand employees facing high turnover rates.

  1.) Alignment with hiring managers

Misalignment is the source of all problems in recruitment and onboarding exercises. The slightest disconnect with the hiring team can cause major problems in the recruitment process. Ensure that you’re on good terms with all the hiring managers before going far in the hiring process.

You can use the following three tips to ensure internal alignment with hiring managers:

  • Identifying overarching key performance goals
  • Identify different tasks that support or complement each performance goal
  • Identify the skills and proficiencies that will help the hire succeed in their work

By identifying the relevant skills needed to succeed in a certain position, you enable new hires to develop feedback mechanisms and understand and respond to customer needs.

  2.) Put quality first

When you have a pile of requisitions, it doesn’t mean you need more candidates. It means you need quality new hires to get the job done. One way to get quality candidates is to write job descriptions that match the people you want to hire.

Your job description will appeal to the caliber of people you want to hire. Quality job descriptions will clarify the values and attitudes needed for the job and appeal to the right candidates for an open requisition.

You can use the following tips to craft a job description that targets the best candidates:

  • Tell job stories. Tell your candidates why the position is the ideal place to work based on a job story that transcends the job description.
  • Communicate your culture. Clearly state the values and characteristics defining your company’s culture and describe how you view and reward success.
  • Emphasize and impact. Every job candidate has this question in mind, “what’s in it for me?” when they skim dozens of job postings. Most candidates are looking for something intangible – something rewarding and satisfying and worth their time and effort. So, ensure that your job description stipulates the rewards and benefits, tangible and intangible, that come with the job position.

For instance, LinkedIn job postings encourage quality applicants. LinkedIn postings give candidates a personalized window that clarifies the open position and helps them decide whether it’s right for them.

  3.) Create a ‘candidate-first application’ process

Research by Indeed found that 42% of applicants find lengthy job postings intimidating. They found long applications as the most frustrating parts of the application process.

So, while Snapchat’s snaplication model may seem impractical at first glance, it presents a creative and unique opportunity for creating mobile-first and super-speedy applications. Mobile phones and mobile apps will help organizations deploy a candidate-first application process.

Some of the best practices for candidate-first application include:

  • Talent intelligence. Always be where your applicants are – TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter; surround yourself with potential candidates and hires. Talent intelligence drills down on candidates based on geography or location.
  • Mobile-optimization. Ensure that your job application process is mobile-optimized. According to Indeed, more than 50% of job applicants use their mobile phones to navigate job postings.

Using and optimizing mobile phones is especially significant to hourly workers who don’t have access to desktop computers. So, ensure that your application process supports a pipeline of potential candidates who may not necessarily have the means or access to application materials or devices.

  • Keep it short. Create a one-click application process and reduce candidate friction. If this model doesn’t work for you, keep the application questions to a minimum. Enable candidates to apply using their social profiles and pre-populate text boxes to avoid lengthy applications.

Focusing exclusively on job candidates helps you fill open positions faster, saving you time and money on resume screening processes.

  4.) Expand your reach

Now that you’ve created crafty job descriptions and targeted quality candidates, it’s time to put your job posting in front of as many eyes as possible. The more people you reach, the higher the likelihood that you’ll receive more quality applications.

Some of the tactics you can use to amplify the reach of your job postings include:

  • Encourage current employees to share postings with their network and add personal touches
  • Give people something creative and compelling to talk (and share) about by adding images and video
  • Consider sponsoring job posts through job boards, or boosting your social posts

Tip: It’s crucial to keep an eye on who comments, shares, or likes your job postings on social and say thank you. Expressing gratitude may go a long way in attracting the pipeline of potential candidates and new hires.

  5.) Speed up with talent rediscovery

Talent rediscovery involves digging and searching your resume databases to find relevant but old applications.

A prime concern for employers is recruiters failing to examine their resume databases. However, this complaint is slowly being phased out now that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have internal search functionality.

ATS technology is useful in today’s volatile labor market. Most organizations are channeling their focus toward rebuilding internal talent and re-skilling in response with an unpredictable labor market. Talent intelligence provides visibility, enhancing your understanding of your workforce’s skillset requirements.

  6.) Automate candidate screening

Perhaps the most unique and innovative way of dealing with mass hiring is the automation of candidate screening. Research shows that 75% of resumes collected from high-volume job postings are considered unqualified. Organizations without an ATS spend time and money screening applications instead of focusing on the bottom line.

A manual, hands-on approach to mass hiring wastes countless hours in skimming unqualified paperwork and documentation. Screening dozens of applications can be mind-numbing for HR teams,  but recruiting software can help you stay organized with high volume hiring and give you back time to focus on other key areas.

 

Contact ExactHire to stay organized when dealing with mass hiring–consider using our ATS software, or let us do the hard work of filling your candidate pipeline, so you can focus on final hiring decisions and onboarding new hires.