Top Tips for Recruiting in the Recession

Don't put the handbrake on recruitment

While a blanket recruitment freeze is often the first response of most businesses that predict tough times ahead, it is frequently ill conceived. When your competitors are downsizing, the uncertain environment and career limitations they are imposing may well unsettle their top talent, therefore, creating opportunities to recruit high calibre individuals who would think twice about moving in a positive economy. Use it to your advantage and target them through Headhunting.

Strategise and communicate

Recruitment strategies should not be just about the short-term survival but about how your company wants to gain a competitive advantage when the recovery starts. Recruitment Managers should liaise more closely with Sales Managers and their Headhunting Partners to understand industry trends in order to estimate when the economic downturn might end. If the forecast is that it will be short-lived, prepare the business case for investing in areas that will add value to your business and achieve your competitive advantage. Re-investing in recruitment too late may lead to your competitors appointing the top talent before you, leaving you trailing in their wake.

Recruiting Top Talent

One would assume that rising unemployment should make filling vacancies easier. However, we have found that whilst there are some high calibre candidates available, most Top Talent are still not responding to Job Adverts and so need to be proactively contacted.

Appoint a Recruitment Partner that will add value

Whoever you use to assist in your recruitment efforts, you should assess what methods they use to identify Top Talent. The only sure fire way to guarantee attracting your target candidates is by proactively Headhunting them. Database Agencies and Advertising are suffering but Candidates are always interested in hearing about exciting new career opportunities.

Focus priorities and revise recruiting targets