The hiring process can be one of the most stressful aspects of owning and operating a business. And that was true even before the COVID-19 pandemic and national labor shortage in the US. Today, companies are struggling so much to hire and retain employees that it might feel impossible to maintain stable staffing levels. Let’s discuss some of the pains you may be facing and offer proven solutions so that you never again have to ask, “Why is hiring so hard right now?”
Common Hiring Challenges and How to Overcome Them
“I Have No Applicants”
One of the most common complaints we hear from business owners about the hiring process is that they simply can’t get anyone to apply. And, with 11.5 million job openings in the US, it’s easy to see why some people feel that way. Job seekers have so many options right now, and the competition is fierce to grab their attention. While we believe this problem can be solved by increasing employee retention and hiring the right applicants from the start (even if you only have a few to choose from), we’re happy to provide some tips on how to increase applicant flow quickly.
Offering a competitive compensation package is one of the fastest ways to get more applicants, as long as you are able to do so. Just make sure you promote this clearly in your job postings. Too many people make the mistake of waiting until the interview to discuss pay.
Patrick O’Rahilly, the founder of FactoryFix, shares his opinion on the matter: “I suggest complete transparency from the start. In fact, pay and salary rates should ideally be on the initial job posting. We’ve seen jobs that do not post a salary or pay rate receive only about half the applicants compared to jobs that do.”
You can also widen your potential talent pool by considering more teenagers and entry-level workers as well as retired citizens who are looking to get back into the workforce. These groups of people can be some of the most eager to learn, adapt, and help your business grow.
