Hiring Rut? Try These Alternatives
Attracting the right talent is an art, one that most busy entrepreneurs and directors don’t have the time, or the resources, to master. Considerations like where you post, how you present your company, and what benefits you disclose, all impact the type of applicant you’ll attract.
Unfulfilled job openings have reached a record high. If you’re like the 91% of US-based business owners struggling to fill positions, then perhaps it’s time you considered these hiring alternatives.
1. Search Globally
The U.S. represents only a quarter of the 1.3 billion English-speaking laborers that make up today’s workforce. Let that sink in. The majority of English-speakers live beyond our borders.
Considering that many countries – namely India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan – harbor more English-speaking residents than the United States, what better way to find skilled and experienced talent than by sourcing on a global level?
Does this sound intimidating? Not to worry…
Finding and attracting remote workers outside the US is now easier than ever. One of the fastest ways to find talent is to use freelance sites where you can quickly contract new talent. You can also outsource your global hiring to a business process service if the thought of hiring abroad makes you nervous.
By making your position available to workers overseas, not only will you expand and extend your search but you will also create an opportunity for your business to save money. Labor costs in developing nations are typically 50-80% lower compared to domestic.
2. Embrace Technology
Let’s say you’ve taken your talent search global and you still haven’t found the right workers to fill your open positions. In today’s fast-paced work environment, the solution to your talent gap may not be in attracting the right staff, but rather, leveraging technology you already have at your fingertips.
Artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), and other technology tools are enabling business owners to reduce labor costs at an increasing rate. Automation streamlines processes and workflows and helps alleviate teams who are already bogged down by heavy workloads.
As an example, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) software – which helps business speed up productivity – has become a must-have resource for companies who offer their clients process-based services.
It’s worth noting that automation and API’s (application performing interfaces) are incredibly effective at managing tasks typically performed by data mangers, administrators, developers and other expensive human resources. Consider how your business can use technology to cut out redundancies and errors.
Software may not be the sole answer to all your staffing needs; however, the latest technology tools can certainly help solve many of your resource gaps.
3. Get Help
Strong leaders know when to ask for help. They understand the value of surrounding themselves, and their organization, with partners who can supply support where they lack expertise.
When all else fails, consider a strategic partnership with a business who can guide, or manage, workflows where you lack resources.
For example, if you’re a billing company, employ a strategic partner that has the resources to augment your workforce and streamline your processes. Doing so will enable you to provide your customers with faster, more precise billing services while helping you save money and improve your bottom line.
The truth is this – the marketplace is full of support-services tailored made for industry-specific requirements. Best of all, these partnerships are often more cost-efficient than onboarding a new hire.
Getting out of the hiring rut
In the wake of COVID, the tightening of the labor market is expected to continue. Traditional methods of posting, optimizing, and waiting for the right applicant aren’t cutting it with today’s savvy job seeker. The key to quickly closing critical talent gaps is to fold in alternatives such as going global, utilizing technology, and leveraging strategic business relationships.