Great Skills to Find - and Keep - Great People A presentation for Bay Area STAR by Laurie Kahn Media Staffing Network

What we will cover: Why hiring is difficult today Recruitment strategies Improving the odds in the interviewing process Being Prepared Courting the candidates Retention tricks Q & A ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Why is Hiring different today from yesterday? Fewer Bodies Less Loyalty More Needs More competition Higher Pay Poor economy High costs of transportation Need creative work solutions Hiring today must have a strategy, a commitment and a budget! ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Why turnover: Inside factors: Lack of – -Training -Encouragement -Recognition -Flexibility -Change -Support ©Media Staffing Network 2008 Outside Factors: Competition Money/Economy Family Commute Boredom Fear

The Strategy: Preparing the team to create a cohesive hiring plan Job Profiles Recruitment Resumes Interviewing Selling your opportunity Courting Retaining ©Media Staffing Network 2008

An effective together team: Get all parties involved in total process Plan your attack Design & Assign questions Compare notes Keep a log Don’t let candidates get lost ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Why Job Profiles? Would you go on a trip without a map? Focus on needs Aids recruitment Addresses expectations Helps eliminate miss-hiring Quicker ramp-up Professional Legal Image ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Average cost of replacement is 150% of compensation! Cost of empty desk/equipment Unhappy clients Loss of New Business Development Training Reputation Morale Get the money on your budget! ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Developing a Recruitment plan, should be NO different than setting a strategy for acquiring new business! Must have a budget, a commitment and constant attention!

Recruitment Budget: Marketing/advertising/branding Training for managers and new hires Travel Relocation packages Internship packages Associate programs Tools – brochures, updated websites, awards, bounties, profiles, background checks, signing bonus Recruitment specialist to find, screen, pre-sell and follow up ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Develop a recruitment message: Create a brochure; include a video with real employees on your website telling why they joined your company! Be known as A GREAT place to work! ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Recruitment POA: Everyone – pay referral fees! Promote Always! Think out of the box Higher skilled – wider the net Colleges (students & professors!) Clubs/Associations Alumnae Other industries Other markets ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Courting Candidates: Work your targeted people Take them to lunch, coffee or dinner 3+x a year Take them to events such as a sporting event or to concerts In building a relationship, probe what makes them happy Be aware of what is going on in their life Be patient! ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Selling your opportunity: Tell them why they should work for you! Know your: Products Team Competition Clients Benefits Growth potential Uniqueness ©Media Staffing Network 2008

How can you be more attractive? Be flexible Do they REALLY need to be in the office every day? Job shares aren’t only for moms Listen to their issues – likes & dislikes at current job ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Interview Smarter Read resume 3x+ prior Turn off cell phone Listen more than talk Ask situational questions Ask open ended, legal questions Don’t ask them to jump through hoops Have them come try the job out for a day ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Probe deeper in reference checks! Probe realistic situational questions Profile Get real, relative references and check them – contact minimum 3 for entry level Check credit or background Ask for a recent W2 to prove income ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Retention Cost of Employment Rule of Thumb is 150% of salary Cost of Turnover – Rule of Thumb is 2.5 times annual earnings It is crucial to keep what you have invested in…. A revolving door is not only costly, but bad for recruiting! ©Media Staffing Network 2008

Retaining tricks to be competitive: New Hire Ramp up: Orientation Mentor Booked Train Talk Confirm Commit ©Media Staffing Network 2008 Seasoned Staff: Review Listen Action Objectives Retrain Challenge Award Be open to flexibility Have fun

“Employees who are enthusiastic and know their contributions are valued are more likely to be self-motivated and to propose innovative ideas. A high energy workplace can mean better financial results” Business Week SmallBiz Aug/Sept 2008

Beyond the cash……. what you can do to

Questions & Answers

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