How Do We Find Qualified Candidates?

Looking for talent? The smartest employers recruit from a pre-qualified candidate pool long before the need to fill a job arises. It may seem counterintuitive, but think of it this way: the best time to dig a well is before you’re actually thirsty. In the same way, it’s a good idea to always keep this hiring well as full as possible. This allows you to develop relationships with potential candidates long before you need them. Having that candidate well or dealer pool is one of the most important steps in finding qualified candidates. I refer to this as the talent pool, and there are several ways to quickly fill that pool and keep it consistently full.

When filling this talent pool, you must have a unique and powerful message–you may know it as a “job description.” This is a place where you tell your story and get a chance to make your company an attractive option to potential candidates. When making a job description, it’s important to list the exact requirements of the position and the skill sets you’re looking for in your company. This job description must sparkle with personality so that your potential candidate thinks: “This organization is for me.” This is where many job ads get lost, drowning without ever really being noticed: they fail to make a real human connection.

In order to maximize the effect of the talent pool, we must stay in constant contact with potential candidates. It’s not enough to reach out just once. Invite potential candidates to visit your business when they are in the area. Call them back when they call, email them back when they email, and don’t hesitate to call them when someone else has been picked for the position.

Remember, how you handle the hiring process has so much to do with your reputation. Being an employer of choice is a reputation you build in your industry, and that is a powerful tool in attracting top talent.