How Hiring Has Shifted to Becoming a Business-Level Priority

How Hiring Has Shifted to Becoming a Business-Level Priority | ABLE Associates

A fast-changing economy has put hiring in the spotlight. Of course, team building has always represented the backbone of any successful business. But the challenges of the last several years — from the pandemic to the Great Resignation to wage inflation and a potential recession — have signaled a shift.

One study showed that 83% of companies have seen an escalation in hiring focus, with the process moving beyond HR to a business-level priority. This means a broader organizational involvement in the team-building process.

With this altered vision among talent leaders, the dynamics of hiring have changed. This can involve creative talent acquisition (like using social media or a larger investment in acquiring passive talent). It can also mean bringing in other voices within the business, with a focus on diversity and inclusion, stronger onboarding and training procedures, and a broader role for individual managers.

The shift to a business-level priority means a reconsideration of goals in the hiring process itself. With that in mind, here are some of the top priorities your business should look at when making your next hires and how this plays into a business-level approach to recruitment:

What to Look for When Searching for Your Next Candidates

Market Conditions

Finding the ideal candidates means looking at more than the individuals applying for jobs. Rather, you need to look at your options in context. This process starts by developing a deep understanding of the current economic forces at play.

Research the prevailing trends in the job market. This will help you set expectations and create a reasonable timeline. At the same time, you can structure a business-wide hiring strategy that lets you build the best team possible, given the current conditions.

Candidate Qualifications

At base, you need qualified candidates. However, this can sometimes prove more challenging than you expect.

Research can help you push through these roadblocks. In a tight labor market, finding candidates with pristine resumes becomes difficult. Instead, you need to prioritize the skills you need and pick up the slack with other strategies.

For instance, in a difficult hiring environment, you might need to invest more in a comprehensive training program. If you are having trouble locating experienced applicants, you might need to give them the added experience yourself.

Flexibility

Market conditions change quickly. As a result, your priorities will evolve and your needs will shift. As a result, your organization will function best over the long haul if you can remain nimble.

This starts by having a core team that can meet any challenge. As such, look for job candidates who can remain flexible, altering their roles and responsibilities as needed. This way, you can respond more quickly to the market, without having to continually retool.

Room for Growth

The ideal hire will stay with your organization for the long haul. High retention saves you money, contributes to long-term productivity gains, and encourages the development of deep institutional knowledge.

As such, don’t think about hiring just as a way to fill an immediate role. Most of the candidates with the right minimum qualifications can slot into your open positions. Rather, you want someone who can grow with your company, ideally becoming a long-term contributor and an eventual leader.

With this in mind, look for traits like:

  • Ambition
  • Loyalty
  • Willingness to Learn
  • Organization
  • Leadership
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Openness to Feedback

Culture Fit

Choosing the right candidate goes beyond the individual. It’s about finding a match for your particular company. You need an employee who will thrive in the business environment that you’ve established.

Keep all this in mind when screening candidates. The process involves a holistic approach to recruiting. Look beyond individual skills to judge the entire person. Imagine how they will mesh with your overall organization and how they can contribute to team chemistry.

Given the shifting priority levels in the hiring process, a strong recruiting partner, like ABLE Associates, can provide vital support. You’ll find the perfect fits for your open positions, taking your team-building potential to the next level.

Want to Know How to Best Find New Hires for Your Organization?

Contact ABLE Associates today to learn more.

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