| The first step to finding the right people for your | | | | a win-win situation for everyone involved. |
| firm is to get quality candidates through your | | | | According to a 1999 survey by the Society of |
| front door. This may sound simple but is harder | | | | Human Resource Management employee referrals |
| than most people think. There are different | | | | resulted in the most hires for all staffing |
| recruiting methods to do this including search firms | | | | categories except managers and semi-skilled |
| or temp agencies, employee referrals, internet job | | | | workers. |
| boards, and classified ads. All of these are | | | | However, all of you know that someone who |
| effective methods and only you can determine | | | | seems to be an ideal candidate does not always |
| which is best for your firm. | | | | have the right character tendencies needed to |
| In fact, what is effective for one company may | | | | match the demands of the job. Example: Mary |
| not be successful for another. Even a change in | | | | has a good friend who everyone adores. She is |
| the times can affect which is the most effective. | | | | conscientious and has a strong work ethic. Mary |
| Revenues from the help wanted category of | | | | recommends her friend for a position that has |
| classified ads plummeted $5.7 billion in 2001 with | | | | come open in the firm for which she works. |
| the online recruiting market continually increasing. | | | | The friend gets the job and everyone |
| And, of course, certain methods work best for | | | | immediately likes this outgoing and hard working |
| different jobs. There are pros and cons of all the | | | | person who is willing to help anybody at anytime. |
| methods and key points to remember when using | | | | But soon it is discovered that she does not |
| any of them. | | | | possess the level of detail orientation that a |
| Search firms are utilized most often when | | | | candidate must have and she fails to succeed in |
| recruiting higher-level management or people with | | | | this position. This scenario now becomes a losing |
| certain skills. Search firms have resources that | | | | situation for everyone involved - Mary, her friend |
| enable them to target the largest field of | | | | and the firm. Just because an employee |
| specialized candidates. This is an advantage but | | | | recommends someone does not mean that the |
| they can be very expensive and it is imperative | | | | organization can get by without thoroughly |
| that you find one that is in tune with the direction | | | | scrutinizing the candidate. |
| and needs of your firm. | | | | As stated earlier internet job boards are |
| When using a search firm a contract should be | | | | becoming one of the most popular recruiting |
| negotiated that enables you to retrieve at least | | | | methods. |
| partial reimbursement if the recommended | | | | Classified ads can be a relatively inexpensive way |
| candidate does not work out. I have worked with | | | | to recruit. As a general rule the more targeted |
| firms that have paid up to $30,000 to find an | | | | and exclusive the publication, the higher the cost |
| employee, the employee doesn't work out and is | | | | for placement of an ad. The ad must be designed |
| gone in six months with no reimbursement to the | | | | to catch the reader's eye and communicate the |
| firm at all. | | | | right kind of information to sell the reader on |
| Use of a temp agency is definitely an easy way | | | | either applying for the job or seeking further |
| to find employees. A phone call and you have | | | | information. If either one of these things is not |
| someone at the desk. This may sound as if it is | | | | achieved the ad is worthless. |
| also an inexpensive way to find new employees. | | | | There is one thing that is very important but |
| But consider this. A temp agency charges you | | | | often overlooked when using the job board |
| $17 or more an hour for a lower level employee | | | | internet, classified ads or a search firm. The |
| and usually charges a fee if you hire the person. | | | | geographical area from which candidates will be |
| Employee referral programs (ERP's) are one of | | | | considered must be identified. This is especially |
| the most cost-effective methods available to find | | | | true when trying to fill lower level positions and |
| qualified candidates. Existing employees have a | | | | you do not want to reimburse moving expenses. |
| vested interest in attracting the best and | | | | Finding the right people is getting harder but it has |
| brightest candidates. They are rewarded by | | | | not yet become impossible. But it does take more |
| knowing they have made a significant contribution | | | | effort than it used to. |
| and by receiving some kind of financial bonus. It is | | | | |