Many professionals have changed industries and careers because of the pandemic. As recruiters, we can verify that there is a staggering number of talented, unemployed candidates hungry for new opportunities. As an employer, you may think that you have the upper hand when it comes to selecting new hires. However, it might not be as simple as you think.
A common pattern that we have noticed this year is the fluctuation of new hires joining teams – only to stay for a short period of time. So why is there such short retention for these new hires although we are currently in a time where jobs are scarce and the talent pool is abundant? It’s an issue with the combination of engagement and match-making.
Let’s face it – finding new employees on your own can be expensive. Spending money on advertising and countless hours filtering through applications can be a challenge on already struggling teams.
Especially this year, there are professionals who have been recently unemployed and are looking for ways to stay afloat. This may mean taking a pay cut at another company or working at a firm that they aren’t in-tune with.
And at times, employers fail to fully engage with new hires and integrate them into their teams. The end result? Low retention. As soon as the pandemic subsides and things go back to “normal”, these new placements will be the first to leave.
Consider Using a Recruiter
Using a recruiter can be a real game-changer when it comes to employee retention. Why? Because they are skilled in matching the needs of you with their network of candidates. And any dedicated staffing agency will go the extra mile to find placements they are confident will stay and thrive.
For example, Ave Staffing has a 92% retention rate on placements – years after hire. And that’s the result of tailored services and an elite pool of qualified candidates.
Although it’s impossible to predict the career path of any candidate, recruiters can sense whether a candidate is looking for any immediately available job or are serious about working with a certain client. And because of that, they’ll find you better placements, not just throw you irrelevant candidates and leave you with the heavy lifting.
Stay Engaged with New Hires
It’s also incredibly important to fully engage with your new hires. Especially since many firms are working remotely during this time, it’s difficult to stay properly connected. And having that non-human association to work will make it easy for new hires to cut ties.
Consider establishing strong communications with your new hires early on to properly integrate them into your team. That way, they will feel like they are truly part of the firm and not just a new hire.
So next time you have a job to fill in your firm – be as mindful of retention as you are with hiring. An experienced agency will make all the difference when it comes to finding the talent you need. That combined with a strong sense of communication and belonging will also improve retention for new hires – regardless if there is a pandemic or not.