[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”1rem||||false|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]While essential businesses have had to quickly accelerate hiring, many retail stores have unfortunately been required to reduce staff as their businesses were put to a grinding halt. But as the dust settles and hiring becomes your number one priority, you must be aware of the immediate hiring trends that will quickly emerge. Bottom line, people are essential in retail and you will need great people to carry your business through the world’s rehabilitation. So why not start recruiting them now? During this downtime, you can either sit back and wait for the eventual reopening or you can prepare to accelerate immediate success.
Here are 5 reasons to start recruiting your future employees now:
1. The Best Talent Must Be Captured First
There are currently thousands of highly talented people sitting at home waiting for stores to reopen. However, the reality is as applications start rolling in at an overwhelming pace, our natural tendency is to hire whoever can get the job done first. Many times the better, more talented people would be overlooked. By starting your search right now, you’ll gain an instant competitive advantage. Additionally, a crisis can be very revealing of an individual’s core qualities both as a person and more importantly a member of your team. During this time you will be able to see how employees would interact in tough situations. Will they quit or will they push hard with a smile on their face? You now have more time to decide that and decipher if each candidate has those qualities.
2. Avoid The Overwhelming Number Of Hires At Reopening
Ever heard the phrase “slow and steady wins the race”? Well, in this case, it holds up true. Retails reopening will certainly challenge the capacity of human resource departments and managers, but if you take preventative steps this could be avoided. During this increase of time, you will be able to go through applications with more attention to detail and engage in more human conversation with the candidate through virtual interviews. This more in-depth and less rushed process will promote a better understanding of what qualities makes each individual a fit for your team. By starting now you give yourself a chance to find quality employees and the time to do so. Imagine how great it will be to say you were prepared and ready.
3. Look for Cross Vertical Skills
Many hourly employees are currently out of jobs and there is a possibility that some of these workers will not be able to return to their jobs as quickly as they wish. Therefore, businesses will most likely be receiving an influx of applicants with little to no experience in the field they are applying to. You must be ready to throw out the norm of only hiring individuals with similar work experiences. There are a variety of great applicants who are not only eager to work, but also willing to adapt to changes in our recovering society. Maybe a great server can be an even better store associate? Challenge applicants to communicate how their past experiences taught them qualities, like being service-oriented and personable, that can add value to your business. This hiring shift will allow you to be part of the employees’ opportunity to not only experience vertical career growth, but also horizontal growth.
4. Building a Quality Pipeline of Candidates
It is a dreadful feeling to lose some of your most valuable employees and have to find individuals that can fill their shoes. Unfortunately, it is likely that businesses on hold run the risk of not having all of their past employees back when reopening occurs. Luckily you can prepare. Take this opportunity to build a list of exemplary applicants that can be called for interviews in the future. Building a pipeline of high caliber candidates now will allow your business to return to successful operations in no time. This level of preparedness allows you to be ready for even the worst-case scenario and maintain effective workflow.
5. You are Creating Hope
Unemployment rates are at an all-time high as our country. As people suffer through not being able to carry out their normal work productivity, it is common to experience a lack of motivation and hope. While it might be tough for you too, your business can provide hope and motivation by engaging individuals in the recruiting process using virtual methods. Providing individuals with the chance to prepare for their future and feel a sense of security in this time will be the type of giving we should all strive for right now.
Overall, we must use this time to build our businesses’ future success and maximize all the time this situation has given us.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
