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Good Applicants Hard to Find
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Good Applicants Hard to Find
Discuss workforce management, performance management, retention, communication, motivation, contributing to business results and other topics.
We have had two job openings which were posted externally....honestly, the applicants were not all that great. These positions were lower level, HS diploma or equivalent; however, they were FT JOBS wi
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Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » Good Applicants Hard to Find
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Good Applicants Hard to Find
posted at 7/15/2010 5:22 AM EDT
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Posts: 57
First: 6/16/2006 Last: 7/20/2010 |
We have had two job openings which were posted externally....honestly, the applicants were not all that great. These positions were lower level, HS diploma or equivalent; however, they were FT JOBS with benefits! Are others finding good applicants are few and far between? Eventually, we pulled all external postings, reminded current employees we have a "dollars for referrals" program and filled the positions with employee referrals. |
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Good Applicants Hard to Find
posted at 7/15/2010 5:35 AM EDT
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
I think if all the effort you put into searching for candidates is to post an ad your experience is not going to be positive. Good talent acquisition programs use multiple tools simultaneously to attract the right kind of people. Employee referrals, for example, can be a very good one.
I am not certain where in the US you are (I am guessing you are either a Purdue Grad or live in IN.) Depending upon location creativity in sourcing activity will be a huge part of finding the right people. You have to look where they are and not where they are not. Given the stated qualifications for your job would it have been better to advertise in a local "shopper" style magazine? Perhaps the sports page instead of the want ads? Did you use Job Services or whatever your local employment office is called? How about flyers at grocery stores, gas stations, etc. Lots of possibilities that extend way beyond "run me an ad on |
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Good Applicants Hard to Find
posted at 7/20/2010 11:10 AM EDT
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Posts: 57
First: 6/16/2006 Last: 7/20/2010 |
Thank you for your input. I did not intend to imply we put no effort into where we advertise, in fact, there is effort in where we can best reach applicants for that particular job posting. Again, thank you. |
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Good Applicants Hard to Find
posted at 8/6/2010 12:42 AM EDT
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Posts: 10
First: 8/6/2010 Last: 3/5/2011 |
Boilerfan,
In the future, you might want to try reaching out to military applicants. There are two major Army bases in Kentucky. Many of these members are leaving the service with a HS diploma. They usually have the ability to move their household goods through the military system when they leave the service. This means no relocation costs for your company. In addition, most service members have $40,000 to $80,000 for college. This could lead to a long term employee who is able to progress within the company. Try advertising in the local post newspapers as well as the local community newspapers. Most posts have programs for seperating service members seeking employment. They can post your openings as well. I hope this helps, Will |
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Good Applicants Hard to Find
posted at 8/17/2010 8:45 AM EDT
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Posts: 4
First: 9/7/1999 Last: 8/17/2010 |
It's good that you ended up using your Employee Referral Program. ERPs generate the plurality of hires in most companies, i.e., it is the number 1 sourcing channel across all companies (world-class and small firms) so it should be among your candidate generation tactics from the get-go, not just utilized after something else (e.g., job postings) fails. Consider how you can invest in the program to generate more effectiveness from it, since the payoff is high. |
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Good Applicants Hard to Find
posted at 8/24/2010 6:06 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 8/24/2010 Last: 8/24/2010 |
A business brief we released recently may be helpful regarding strategies to recruit and develop workers for jobs at the level you describe. Funded by the Hitachi Foundation, the brief provides examples from innovative employers around the country, focusing on the healthcare and manufacturing sectors, and lessons from their experience. To download it, use this link: http://www.insightcced.org/uploads/publications/wd/HiddenCosts-HighReturns.pdf
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Good Applicants Hard to Find
posted at 8/24/2010 10:50 AM EDT
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Posts: 29
First: 6/9/2009 Last: 4/26/2011 |
Ditto to what's been posted, but I'm not fully convinced about the Employee Referral Process. I say this because I can remember when employee referrals only increased the homogeneity in the workforce. I guess now that affirmative action and equal opportunity, along with multiculturalism, have improved our employee selection practices, employee referrals are not all 'who you know' or a tool of exclusion.
Anyway, it seems to me that in today's economy, employers should'nt have any difficulty in finding candidates. |
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Good Applicants Hard to Find
posted at 8/24/2010 11:07 AM EDT
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
TCSquared you have identified the issue of a single focus recruiting plan. EE Referrals bring in like minded people; they may not be the best. They are similar to what you have.
I'm just sayin. |
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Good Applicants Hard to Find
posted at 8/25/2010 5:00 AM EDT
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Posts: 29
First: 6/9/2009 Last: 4/26/2011 |
I hear what you're saying HRPro. My guess about boilerfan528's experience is related to what educational researchers are saying about our secondary educational system. That is, more and more, our students are underprepared. Also, the Gates Foundation commissioned a study looking at high school students in Florida. That study indicates that students need 'Pathways' out of the cycle of poverty, but also mentions that students are underprepared and that our educational system is underprepared, understaffed and at times overwhelmed.
We hire from laborers to civil engineers. More and more, we and and other employers are having trouble finding 'great' or 'the best' employees, whether we're recruiting for lower level jobs or jobs requiring college grads. An incident at my place of employment: I allowed an employee's wife to attend new employee orientation with him because the guy could not read very well. Some liability there for us, but he's been a very good laborer. |
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