In today's fiercely competitive job market, companies are constantly vying for the elusive "unicorns" – individuals with a unique blend of expertise, creativity, and cultural fit. But fear not, aspiring unicorn hunters, for in this guide, we'll delve into the strategies, tools, and mindset needed to succeed in your quest for these extraordinary candidates. So buckle up, sharpen your senses, and prepare to embark on an adventure where talent acquisition meets legend. Welcome to the realm of unicorn hunting.
Define Clear Job Requirements - "The Treasure Map": Imagine your job description as a treasure map, leading candidates to the gold mine of opportunities in your company. Make sure it's crystal clear so that only the most adventurous souls venture forth!
Utilise Applicant Tracking System (ATS) - "The Recruitment Sidekick": Think of your ATS as your trusty sidekick, always ready to swoop in and save the day. With its superpowers of automation and organisation, you'll be breezing through resumes faster than a superhero through the sky! It's also incredibly important that you keep your Sidekick always updated with the most relevant information, the latest resumes, comments, and notes. You are only as good as your database!!
Create a Standardised Screening Process - "The Talent Detective": Become the Sherlock Holmes of recruitment with your standardised screening process. No resume will escape your keen eye for talent as you decipher clues and uncover the perfect candidates for the job. Developing a skill of reading between the lines, don’t just look for the job titles but the actual tasks and investigate transferable skills. You can teach the right attitude to the job but you can’t make a technically qualified person fit into your team.
Implement Pre-Employment Assessments - "The Skills Showdown": Turn your recruitment process into an epic skills showdown where candidates battle it out to prove their worth. With pre-employment assessments, you'll separate the contenders from the pretenders faster than you can say "hire me!" This is also evident during the mobilisation and onboarding process. When you have a candidate that stalls, keeps missing information, or is difficult to deal with, you can guarantee that this will be the case once they are onboarded. So don’t be afraid to use this as part of your recruitment process.
Master the Art of Interview Tetris: Ever played Tetris? Imagine your interview schedule as a game board, and your candidates as colourful blocks falling from the sky. Your mission? Fit them into your schedule seamlessly, without creating a chaotic mess. Don’t be afraid to quarantine interview blocks in your schedule. Make yourself as unavailable for meetings and other distractions.
Conduct Structured Interviews - "The Interview Playbook": Transform your interviews into a well-rehearsed play where every line is scripted for success. Be mindful that most candidates are terrible at interviews, and you will need to set them at ease by asking them about their day, talk about the weather and keep things light until you feel they are comfortable. Also, don’t be too structured when asking your questions. Rather practice active listening; most of the time candidates answer questions even before you ask when you get them talking. And always end the interview with what the next step will be in the application process.
Utilise Video Interviews - "The Virtual Voyage": Embark on a virtual voyage through the world of recruitment with video interviews. No need for long flights or stuffy conference rooms – just sit back, relax, and let the candidates come to you from the comfort of their own homes! And ask if they mind being recorded. That way, you don’t have to take notes while you are conducting your interview. Also, most software will print a transcript of your interview. Aren’t you happy it's 2024!!
Collaborate Effectively - "The Dream Team": Assemble your very own dream team of recruitment superheroes and watch as you conquer the hiring universe together. With clear communication and teamwork, there's no challenge you can't overcome! So make sure you share candidates and discuss applications. Especially if you are on the fence with a candidate and your gut and brain aren’t in agreement. Talk it out. What do you call a group of recruiters? A Gaggle of Job-Jockeys.
Offer Timely Feedback - "The Feedback Express": Hop aboard the feedback express and deliver timely feedback to candidates with lightning speed. With each update, you'll keep the recruitment train chugging along smoothly towards its destination – the perfect hire! Email them an unsuccessful the minute you know! Don’t delay the feedback no matter how uncomfortable you might find it. When are you asked “Why?” a simple answer like “You were pipped to the post.” Is all 99.9% of applicants need to hear.
Measure and Analyse Metrics - "The Data Dance": Dive into the data dance and waltz your way through recruitment metrics like a pro. With each step, you'll uncover insights that guide your recruitment strategy and keep you two steps ahead of the competition. Keep notes on salary expectations for certain roles, see which ads were more effective, make sure you research and follow the Cool Cats on the Net. See what’s the latest trends. Also, know your audience. If you are recruiting for a senior management role, you might not use the same language and tech tools as for entry-level roles.
Automate Routine Tasks - "The Automation Station": Set up camp at the automation station and let technology do the heavy lifting for you. With repetitive tasks out of the way, you'll have more time to focus on the thrilling adventures of recruitment! Set up your automated emails, interview guides, and all other documents that are stock standard to your process. This will prevent mistakes and keep you on track with forming good recruitment habits.
Invest in Training and Development - "The Recruitment Bootcamp": Enlist in any recruitment training and become a lean, mean hiring machine. With top-notch training, you'll sharpen your skills and emerge as the ultimate recruitment warrior, ready to conquer any challenge that comes your way! Find the most successful recruiter on your team and see what they do. Also, don’t be afraid to create your own style of SASSY.
Honourable Mention: Master the Art of Responsiveness:
In the fast-paced world of recruitment, being responsive is your secret weapon. Make it a golden rule to always answer your phone, promptly return missed calls, and respond to emails faster than a superhero swooping in to save the day. Candidates appreciate timely communication like a treasure in a sea of silence, and it sets the tone for a positive candidate experience. So, keep your communication lines open and your response time swift, and watch as your reputation for reliability shines brighter than a beacon in the night!
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