Workplace author reveals the biggest challenges recruiters are up against this year
In today's rapidly changing job market, HR professionals are facing unique challenges as they navigate the aftermath of a pandemic and the possibility of an economic recession.
To shed light on the subject, HRD interviewed Eric Termuende, a renowned keynote speaker and author, who shared his perspective on some of the most common mistakes organizations make during the hiring process.
"We're at an interesting point in the world of work right now, out of a pandemic and potentially into a recession,” says Termuende. “Yet the job numbers are pretty unexpected, and maybe even unpredictable, too.”
Termuende says the first and biggest mistake employers are making is hiring too quickly. While it's crucial to fill positions promptly, rushing the hiring process can have negative consequences. He emphasizes that, in a world where cultural fit is more important than ever, organizations must ensure the style of work aligns with the individual being hired.
Hiring solely based on skills, requirements, and education without considering cultural fit can lead to turnover and dissatisfaction.
"What's going to happen is that you're going to get folks with the skills, the requirements, the education, for sure,” he tells HRD. “But in a world where culture fit is arguably more important than it's ever been before, especially with remote and hybrid work, we have to ensure that the people we're working with are aligned with how we'd like to do our work too."
Termuende emphasizes the importance of incorporating existing team members into the recruiting process. While recruiters and HR professionals play vital roles, involving colleagues and co-workers can provide valuable insights and boost engagement.
Since employees spend more time with their colleagues than with their friends and family, their perspective on a potential hire's fit within the team is invaluable.
"If we can incorporate the people that are inevitably going to be on our team, they're going to be the first people to tell whether or not this person is going to be a right fit."
Mistake #3: Overemphasizing perks and benefits
Termuende tells HRD that all too often organizations rely heavily on perks, benefits, and signing bonuses to attract candidates. While these incentives may initially attract candidates, they’re insufficient to compensate for a mismatched workplace culture.
He argues that the workplace experience and cultural alignment are more significant in the long run than short-term perks or financial benefits.
"That 15% salary increase is great. But again, that isn't going to replace that workplace experience that people are looking for in the short, medium, and long term."
On the candidate side of things, Termuende tells HRD that successful hires invest time in conducting thorough research on potential employers – and that by asking the right questions and demonstrating a genuine understanding of the organization, candidates differentiate themselves from the competition.
And for employers, it’s time to focus more on culture fit and experience in recruitment.
"Culture fit is arguably more important than ever before, especially as the way we work continues to change,” says Termuende. “Organizations need to ensure that the style of work aligns with the individual they are hiring, or else they will face the problem of employees leaving in search of a better fit."
