What to Do With an Eager, Highly Qualified Applicant Pool When You're Not Hiring
It wasn't that long ago that HR professionals were struggling with low unemployment and a tight labor market. High employment is good in most ways, but if you are trying to attract applicants, it's a very tough market. A few years ago, one client told us they were considering offering a toaster to people who would just come in and apply.
The toaster idea was a joke, but the idea wasn't a bad one. Just getting people to apply is the first big hurdle in recruiting. Candidates don't particularly love applying for jobs. One of the things that every potential employer offers is an end to the painful search process. So if you can just get those truly outstanding candidates to apply, you have a chance.
What does that have to do with the current economy?
. . . a period of high unemployment, is, hands down, the best time for HR to advance an organization.
Everything. While unfortunate in most ways, a period of high unemployment is, hands down, the best time for HR to advance an organization. Amazing candidates are available and want to apply. They are eager to go through your processes so they can be on lists for future openings. The HR manager who continue recruiting and creating lists, puts the organization in a position to act rapidly, hire brilliantly and take advantage of today's unprecedented hiring pool when the time comes.
Public sector jobs, particularly high volume public safety jobs, won't go unfilled for long. And we all know these types of jobs can't be filled quickly. Recruiting and screening processes are generally lengthy. Last minute rushing is expensive and lowers the chances for connecting with great applicants. HR professionals are in a unique position to guarantee that the hardship of a hiring freeze is at least offset by outstanding opportunities and cost savings for the organization when freezes are lifted.
For demanding public safety jobs of all types, you can expect that only about 1 in 10 applicants, even during hard times, would turn out to be an effective member of your team. Having a larger applicant pool dramatically increases your odds of identifying this talent. Now is not the time for laying back. Keep farming and fill your basket at the height of the season. Don't compete with everyone else for what's left when the supply shrinks up.
Ergometrics offers the highest quality tests available to easily and inexpensively screen and sort your applicants. Ergometrics can also help with the current economy and budget issues through national testing. Ergometrics can test applicants for you at little to no cost to your organization. Don't waste this opportunity to significantly advance your organization and make the most of the current labor market. Give us a call to find out more. 425-741-0103.