5 Essential Ways to Attract Talent in 2022

Drake Editorial

With the impact of the pandemic, the evolving workplace, and different employee mindsets, you will need to be forward-thinking to attract and recruit talented individuals in 2022. To rise above the competition, a practical and “people first” strategy will be required to capture the attention of top talent to get them on board.

Here are five recruitment strategies to implement in 2022:

1. Strengthen your employer brand

Candidates want to know what it’s like to work at your company. Before applying for job opportunities, they will do their research and talk to others. They want to find out how your company treats its people, particularly how they were supported over the past two years. They will research information on your culture and if it is inclusive, offers flexible working models, and puts an emphasis on a healthy work environment.

To attract the best talent, revisit ways to make your company stand out and strengthen your brand from the inside out. Create compelling narratives about your work-life balance, hybrid work options, and your commitment to diversity, equality, and the general wellbeing of staff.

With the business and economic changes driven by the pandemic, your organisation’s brand has taken on new importance as a competitive edge. Promote your stories in every way you can (e.g. website, social media; job postings) to draw in and attract top candidates.

2. Improve the candidate experience

Why should a candidate choose your organisation? Surveys have indicated that 80% of candidates who have had an unsatisfactory recruitment process will openly tell people about their experience. A third will do so proactively through negative comments on job review sites. It is, therefore, crucial to create experiences that make each candidate impressed with each of your hiring steps and want to join your company.

Start at the beginning and review your whole hiring process. Make sure you are providing candidates with the full interview details in advance and what to expect. Greet them warmly whether it is virtually or face-to-face and respect their time. Provide prompt feedback. Each candidate should feel highly valued, whether they are a fit for the role or not. They should leave the interview process with a positive view of your company. Not every candidate will join the organisation, but every candidate will have an opinion and you want them to be positive ones that they will pass along to others.

3. Showcase your remote-friendly policies

Most companies have had to adapt their hiring practices to accommodate a remote or hybrid workforce. Hiring remote workers is a big bonus for companies. It reduces geographic limitations and opens your talent pool to a much wider audience from which to find more qualified candidates.

To attract top talent for the new work environment, make sure you clearly outline your flexible work arrangements on the career section of your website, as well as in your job listings and postings. Consider having your remote employees tell their stories of how they are supported in their role using video clips on your website and elsewhere. By showcasing your remote-friendly policies, you will build a reputation as a flexible and thoughtful employer who is forward-thinking.

4. Build an employee-focused culture

Creating a more desirable workplace than your competitors is a key component in attracting top talent. When your staff enjoys an extraordinary experience working with your company, word gets out. Building a strong people-focused workplace is therefore your competitive edge.

To build this culture, consistently show your people they are valued through your words and actions. This means building a collaborative and transparent work environment and ensuring everyone feels part of the team. Facilitate open communication and feedback so everyone has a voice and feels supported. Show appreciation through recognition and praise. Demonstrate high levels of empathy by understanding others’ situations. When you care about your people you build trust which impacts internal (engagement and retention) and external (attracting and hiring talent) results.

5. Incorporate diversity into your recruiting efforts
86% of candidates cited diversity as an important factor when looking for a job.
Although still merit-based, diversity recruiting is free from biases stemming from age, gender, race, religion, or disability. It gives all applicants, regardless of background, an equal opportunity. Embracing a culture of inclusion enables you to attract top candidates from a broader talent pool.

To increase diversity in your candidate sourcing, audit your past recruitment ads. Going forward, ensure the language you use is gender-neutral, inclusive, and welcoming. Include a statement to demonstrate your company’s commitment to diversity. Expand your search to attract diverse populations by promoting job opportunities in a wider array of places that cater to diverse populations.

People are the core of your company. Employing the right acquisition methods will define 2022 and your company’s ability to be noticed and attract top talent. In an uncertain climate, incorporating the right strategies and concrete action plans must be your biggest priority if you want to achieve success.