Smart HR strategies that will help you hire the right people

While any company can place an advert on their website, LinkedIn or websites like BizCommunity, it takes smart strategies to get noticed by the kind of prospective employees who will truly make a difference to your bottom line. 3Cube Property Solutions takes a closer look at recruitment, how technology has become an essential component and how companies can make themselves stand out to attract top talent. The global phenomenon of "The Great Resignation" has not passed over South Africa, and it is arguably more important than ever for companies to be strategic about their hiring processes.

The 'Great Resignation'

In their analysis of Pnet's Job Market Trends Report issued in June 2022, BizCommunity refers to a phenomenon that made itself known initially between January and August 2021 and again between December 2021 and March 2022. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been taking their dissatisfaction with their jobs more seriously, and are actively looking for better salaries, flexibility and work-life balance. Employers looking to hire top talent need to make it clear through their job adverts and online presence that these issues are prioritised.

Strategy 1: Make your brand stand out as an employer

When you are looking for highly skilled candidates, you need to consider the possibility that they are applying for multiple positions. With this in mind, you need to make your company as appealing as possible. If you have a careers page on your website, make sure that it's up to date and consider having a professional video made to showcase your company and why you make a great employer.

Strategy 2: Leverage AI and social media in your recruitment processes

Recent years have seen major developments in how technology is revolutionising human resources. As an integral part of Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help companies screen candidates, focusing on key criteria such as experience, skills and qualifications - without the risk of any human bias. Ongoing advancements in AI chatbots are increasingly able to take care of tasks like arranging interviews and answering any questions that candidates may have before coming in for an interview.

Nowadays, screening a candidate's social media is an important part of the recruitment process - and this is about far more than checking whether their Facebook page is full of party pictures. Another pertinent point to consider is whether or not their LinkedIn page and/or personal blog are kept up to date and reflect an active interest in your industry and their profession.

Strategy 3: Prioritise passion and enthusiasm over degrees and experience

Unless you're hiring a medical doctor, there is room for flexibility in candidate requirements. For example, if you're looking to hire a software engineer, you may have one candidate with a Bachelor of Commerce in Informatics and another who has taught himself everything he knows through Youtube videos and online tutorials. The second candidate has already proven (provided he has the requisite skills) that he is resourceful enough to achieve great things even if he did not have the resources required to get a degree.

Five quick strategies for smart recruitment

1. Look carefully at the phrasing in your job adverts and consider your requirements carefully. For example, do you really need someone with a degree, or will mentioning this potentially deter someone with years of experience (but no degree) from applying?
2. Consider implementing a staff referral programme, which incentivises your staff to spread the word about any vacancies among their professional networks.
3. During the interview process, make use of an interview rubric or checklist and ask open-ended questions that require candidates to reveal their experience and expertise. These questions should vary based on the position in question.
4. If your application process requires applicants to fill in an online form, make it as simple as possible and ensure that it is mobile-friendly.
5. Provide ongoing on-the-job training to ensure that your staff members are fully equipped to do their jobs.

Hiring the right staff is one of the cornerstones of success in any business - and so is finding the right premises. 3Cube Property Solutions has the answers when it comes to industrial and commercial properties in Gauteng. Contact us today for more information.