The work world looks vastly different from what it did just a few years ago—with the pandemic forcing many employees and employers to adapt to remote work or else shut their doors potentially for good. And while some companies have made attempts to return their work environments back to a pre-pandemic office structure, many employees have come to appreciate the benefits of a remote-work lifestyle and have shifted their expectations around what they will and will not accept in the workplace.
This evolving attitude, as well as a number of other factors, has made it difficult for some companies to find the talent they need to continue prospering in the market. Here, eight members of Young Entrepreneur Council elaborate on these factors and discuss what employers can do to not only make finding talent easier but also retain that talent once they’ve been brought on board.
1. Ensuring Value Alignment
The hardest thing about finding talent is making sure that the talent aligns with your company values and that people really understand the value you add to the market. That’s why having a great careers page on your website is really important—though most companies completely ignore this. Having a great careers page can help potential employees understand how they fit in and make it more likely that you will connect. – Joe Apfelbaum, Ajax Union
2. Adapting To Shifting Expectations
Finding good talent today is challenging due to shifting job seeker expectations regarding work-life balance, culture and social responsibility. To attract talent, companies should align with these values, offer flexible work conditions and demonstrate commitment to social causes. Leveraging digital recruitment strategies can also widen the talent pool and connect you with like-minded candidates. – Kyle Goguen, Pawstruck
3. Connecting With Candidates Directly
The hardest part about finding good talent is being able to connect with candidates directly. Often, candidates don’t update their online profiles or actively check messages recruiters use to reach out. Companies can do their part to make it easier for candidates by not using complicated portals that require both an engaging online presence and personal information that must be entered twice. – Jack Perkins, CFO Hub
4. Earning Employee Loyalty
The hardest part about finding good talent today is meeting the expectations of the workforce. Loyalty to the company is almost nonexistent, as employees are highly likely to switch companies as soon as they get a better offer. However, one way to find talent easily is to have flexible working hours. Allowing people to work at their own pace to ensure work-life balance is a highly valued perk today. – Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
5. Navigating Entrepreneurship Culture
I’d say the hardest part about finding good talent today is navigating the entrepreneurship culture, as the industry’s top talent often prefers to work on their own gig rather than work for someone else. In this scenario, offering an option to work remotely may help you find the right fit for the job, as you get to leverage their skills and they’ll have the freedom to work on their side hustle. It’s a win-win situation. – Chris Klosowski, Easy Digital Downloads
6. Competing With Other Hiring Businesses
The most difficult aspect of discovering good talent nowadays is the intense competition in the employment market. Outstanding candidates are in high demand, making it difficult to attract and retain them. Businesses should prioritize developing a great employer brand, delivering competitive compensation and benefits packages and cultivating a good and inclusive work culture. – Sujay Pawar, CartFlows
7. Sifting Through The Fluff
In my opinion, the hardest part about finding good talent is recognizing whether someone is adding fluff to their resume or whether they are actually as skilled as they claim. An easy way for companies to sort through applications and discover talented individuals is to give applicants paid tests to complete before they’re hired so you can assess their skills. – Daman Jeet Singh, FunnelKit
8. Navigating A Global Talent Pool
The hardest part about finding good talent today is navigating the vast talent pool that has expanded globally due to remote work models. Companies can simplify this process by using artificial intelligence and data analytics in recruitment, building a strong employer brand and leveraging networking and employee referrals. – Vikas Agrawal, Infobrandz