Want more applicants? Sell the sizzle!
The pandemic touched every aspect of Americans’ lives – both personally and professionally – and left many wondering if their career path was the right one. Last year’s “Great Reshuffle” started an unprecedented job-hopping trend across all industries, particularly among a younger demographic. They reevaluated what they deemed important and began looking for jobs that better aligned with those wants and needs.
So, what exactly are millennials and Gen Z looking for in a workplace? Characterized as ambitious, millennials are often driven by the opportunity for career advancement (and the pay that comes with it). Gen Zers are the youngest of today’s workforce, prioritizing flexibility and a work-life balance. Both are interested in purposeful work, sustainable choices, developmental opportunities, diverse cultures and the availability of better mental health and wellness resources.
These generations are unlike their predecessors who followed the status quo. They’re willing to shake things up. They’re willing to tackle challenges in a different way. And with more and more of our workforce retiring, we need them to fill the talent gap. But first, we need to learn to “sell the sizzle.”
What does that mean, exactly? Focus on what today’s job seekers want: benefits, experience, company culture, etc. What sets you apart from your competition? Inject a little creativity to help reach the talent you want to recruit. A boring job description that reads like a laundry list won’t sell the position — and if you can’t sell the job, you won’t fill the job.
Showcase flexibility when possible.
According to new CareerBuilder research, jobs allowing employees to work from home full or part-time saw seven times more applications than in-person roles in early 2022. Flexibility is the new norm, so make sure you advertise whether the position can be remote/hybrid.
Make compensation easy to find.
Let’s face it, candidates want to know how much they’ll be getting paid. In fact, a recent CareerPlug compensation survey found that 55% of all workers are hoping to see a pay increase this year — and 67% plan to explore new industries/fields. Of course, this often relies on previous experience, but a typical hourly pay range or annual salary is more than acceptable to post within a job description, along with any other great benefits and company perks.
Make your job posting stand out.
If you’re using an online job board, your job will be posted alongside dozens of other similar positions. How will you make sure yours gets noticed by the right candidates? Grab their attention with a compelling intro (it may help to get your marketing team invested in this process). Video and other visuals can go a long way, too — particularly for sharing across your social platforms. For more tips, check out How to Write an Effective Job Description by WorkforceHub (https://bit.ly/3RtuSYc).
We all know turnover costs money, but do you know just how much? According to Gallup, the cost of replacing an individual employee can range from ½ to two times that employee’s annual salary due to advertising, onboarding, training and more. Not only will investing in your recruitment strategy help you find (and retain) the best talent, but it’ll also help keep your bottom line healthy.
BEST PLACES TO POST YOUR JOB
1. ConstructionJobs
2. LinkedIn
3. Indeed
4. Monster
5. CareerBuilder
6. ZipRecruiter
7. SimplyHired