Dear HR Manager from Now Hiring
Dear HR Manager,
I need help finding candidates for open positions in today’s tight job market. Do you have recommendations for sources I may have yet to think to tap into?
– Now Hiring
Dear Now Hiring,
The last few years have been challenging for job seekers and employers alike. The “Great Resignation” and low unemployment rates left many employers with positions they have been unable to fill.
Consider tapping into the pool of “hidden workers,” who are often overlooked despite their willingness and ability to contribute to the workforce. These may include gig workers, caregivers, military veterans and spouses, immigrants, refugees, neurodivergent, differently abled, and re-entry workers who have been absent from the workforce for an extended period. They often want to work but are often excluded by traditional recruiting systems.
Here are a few suggestions to break down barriers and attract this pool of candidates.
Use positive job filters.
Instead of using recruitment management systems that automatically screen out applicants based on inflexible criteria, positive filters focus on skills and qualifications truly relevant to the position.
Focus on critical skills in job descriptions.
Simplify job descriptions by emphasizing the critical skills that will result in on-the-job success. Lengthy and complicated job descriptions can discourage applications. Focus on transferable skills and experience rather than on gaps in employment.
Target your outreach.
Hidden workers come from many different backgrounds. Partnering with community groups serving these diverse populations may help reach a wider pool of candidates.
Foster an inclusive culture.
Promoting an inclusive culture is vital to unlocking the potential of hidden workers. Actively challenge preconceptions and ensure all employees understand the strategic value of opening the workforce to workers with differing backgrounds. Having a senior leader champion this initiative can significantly impact acceptance.
Embrace hidden workers to fill your open roles and create a more diverse and enriched team. Tapping into a pool of hidden talents to fill your job openings also helps your company stay competitive and serve your community better.
Originally featured in UBA’s November 2023 HR Elements Newsletter.
