How to Create a Strategic Plan for Recruiting
Right now, every organization is cranking up its strategic planning processes. Offsites are scheduled, calendars are being tweaked, and the annual routine of budgeting and planning is getting underway.
By September, everyone will be deep into the process, but many will be unsatisfied and unconvinced that they have addressed the really meaty issues.
Money Won't Hold Them
Turnover at one mature organization I have spoken with recently has reached close to 100% for its key engineering talent. This is not because the company is a poor performer or because it doesn't pay well. In fact, it is doing very well and pays above the average.
The reason they are losing people is because they are well-paid, have made significant income, and have built up large 401(k) accounts. They are leaving because they are successful and able to pursue other interests.
Memo to My Hiring Manager
Dear Hiring Manager,
Now that summer is almost over and vacations are ending, the challenges you face at work are beginning again, and in earnest. Although you probably only hire a handful of people each year, it seems that it takes longer and longer to find the right person. And many of the people you see are not really who you wanted. You have to ask to see more resumes and, frankly, hiring people has become a bit of a pain!
You may be asking yourself what's happened.
Employees Are Not Assets
I am still amazed at how many organizations do not allow their current employees to apply for internal positions until they meet a whole bunch of conditions. Typically, they have to have been in a position for a certain amount of time, may have to meet performance requirements, may have to fill out an application, and then go through the same interview process as an external candidate.
Most HR people think this is fine, and in fact, often put these rules in place.
Technology and Relationships: From Face-to-Face to Cyberspace
Several years ago, I wrote an article discussing Kevin Kelly's book, New Rules for the New Economy.
Kelly was the editor of Business 2.0 magazine and still plays a major role in Wired magazine. Kelly believes that networks are the key to 21st century business. Technology is the means by which these networks are put together and it is through them that relationships form. In fact, these networks create relationships.
Recruiting Trends 2007
Several weeks ago, many ERE readers along with other recruiting and HR practitioners completed our annual survey on the trends and issues they are facing. The entire report is available at http://www.glresources.com/.
We asked respondents to rate the importance of 14 different issues that could impact them in the coming year. The issue rated most important was that of broadening the sources of hire.
Some Thoughts on Blogs and Networks
I read around 50 blogs on a regular basis and find myself scanning more and more of them. They are replacing newspapers and even magazines as a source of information. Some blogs are taking over the product review business and give you and me the chance to express our candid opinions about products and services we use.
This means that, eventually, blogs will comment on your recruiting process, your career site, and even on how people were treated when interviewed by your organization.