Recruitment in general

You don’t need to recruit the best people - just attract them
Good people are attracted to the business and all that it stands for and they want to be part of it. This is based on the basic premise that “like attracts like”. If your business has defined itself clearly in the marketplace as the best place to work, then the best people will come to you. Good staff are looking for more than to be well paid; they are usually driven, with high work ethics, seeking personal fulfillment and excellence in their work pursuits. They are therefore naturally attracted to companies that show the same integrity and offer the same high work ethics.
Shout it from the rooftops
It is not good enough to just have your business values and philosophy deeply embedded in your internal culture – it needs to be clearly articulated and then shouted from the rooftops. You need to spread your message via whatever medium you can, and do it as often as you can. Your message identifies to the world the values and philosophies that underpin who you are, what you do, why you do it and how well you do it. This is not about getting your business name or your products or services out into the community. Advertising can do that. This is about being transparent about your business values every time you interact with the public and external parties. It is in this way that your business will distinguish itself from its competitors and importantly attract ‘like-minded’ talent.
Where to start?
What are the capabilities that your business generates that make it extraordinary and hard to copy? You need to identify your business’ core values and point of difference to competitors. Ask yourself:
• What does the business practice or believe in that would make it attractive to top talent?
• What values underpin your business’ culture? Open communications, strong cooperation and teamwork, respect for the individual, honesty, trust, integrity and responsiveness are all considered important business values.
• What makes your business truly outstanding?
• What are the capabilities that your business generates that make it extraordinary and hard to copy?
• What values underpin you business philosophy? Does your business ‘live’ its values? For example does your business implement values-based management practices into its everyday business operations?
Getting the word out
Tell the community about your business philosophy and why it sets it apart from your competitors. Tell them about the values that underpin the way your business operates; the working environment you encourage, how you invest in the future of your people and the challenging and interesting roles the business offers; how it respects cultural differences and finds the business opportunities in building the skills of employees, how it helps the local community or charities; how your business behaves ethically and contributes to local or national economic development; how it improves the quality of life of the workforce, their families and the local community; how you manufacture products or provide services that save lives, improve living standards, benefit business and so on. Put your business on all your marketing materials, internal documents, websites, and on all your communications with customers, clients, suppliers and partners. Talk about the company’s values to local press and radio. What you are aiming for is that when anyone hears the name of your company they will automatically think of the values your company upholds. These values will have an impact on not only the people who interact with you, but those who don’t but are still very aware of what it is you believe in as well as do. Those who have values similar to those of your organisation will automatically be attracted to you.
Values that set businesses apart from their competitors
Business values that set a business apart from its competitors and attract staff easily include, but are not restricted to:
• Meeting high ethical standards and providing equal employment opportunities.
• Practising continuous improvement.
• Providing customer satisfaction which goes beyond product and service.
• Developing and nurture its people. Caring about their emotional well-being as well as their career needs.
• Valuing diversity and the differences in people and perspectives that diversity offers.
• Appreciating and recognising the contribution every staff member brings.
• Focusing on the needs of society and/or the local community.
• Displaying transparent and accountable practices.
• Employing innovative practices and being prepared to venture into new, breakthrough areas of opportunity.
• Implementing corporate social responsibility practices that address environment, social and economic responsibilities in a fully integrated manner.
Interview Follow-up
If your company is interested in building a strong and positive image with IST, here are some important image-builders.
1. Respond to students within the time frame specified during the interview
2. Provide a clear process for required paperwork
3. Inform students of the company's hiring decision as soon as possible
4. Follow-up the verbal offer with a written offer of employment
5. Let students know where they stand so they can make good, informed decisions
First Impressions are Important
Just as you may gauge the quality of a candidate by your first impression, students gauge the quality of a potential employer. Consider the image your company is trying to project and send the right person. Send people who understand the positions available and have knowledge of the specific job requirements.
Help Students Connect with Recent Hires
Bring some of your recent hires to campus for information sessions or interviews. They provide great insight into students' concerns surrounding a major transition. Some of those concerns include locating housing, making friends, having fun, and the corporate environment.
Culture and Jobs
Describe the company culture and jobs realistically. Be candid,yet positive about your company. Honest discussions help students make informed decisions that will ultimately create productive relationships.