National Search Firm Tells Companies: STOP Hiring!

The country is at 6.2% unemployment. The talent you want is 100% employed and happy! So please stop hiring and start recruiting.

What’s the difference? Most companies think they are recruiting, but act like they are hiring.

Some companies go as far as posting the words “We’re hiring” or “I’m hiring” and great candidates see need, not opportunity. Here are some tips on how to stop hiring and start recruiting.

1. Learn to love the passive candidate – “I’m Happy” in my current role or “I’m highly paid” are now things you want to hear. The best candidates are both usually happy and highly paid, but still might move if you capture their imagination.
2. Tell your best story – You want your recruiting documentation to look as hot as an investor proposal or IPO filing.  You want a candidate to say… “I didn’t want to make a move, I HAD to make a move.”
3. Get creative – Try new incentives that might not add much short term cost. How about “The 3 Year Sign On Bonus”. (Take the normal sign on and pay it in 3rds on yearly anniversary.) Or “We have authorized a special block of stock at 2x what is typical for this position.” Go ahead, make your CFO cranky!
4. Bring in the CEO – “No one gets to see the wizard…or the CEO!” Use your company’s CEO to recruit your best people. A phone call early in the process or even an email from the CEO makes a huge impact.
5. Don’t dilute your brand – You know who I never see with a kiosk at the mall – The NAVY SEALS. You want there to be a high barrier of entry and for candidates to know that this opportunity is not for everybody. Once a candidate has heard about an opportunity more than once or twice it loses its appeal.
6. Hire a search firm – yes we realize this is self-serving advice. It is also the fastest way to go from hiring to recruiting. Candidates perceive a search that is being managed by a firm to be more exclusive and that the company is committed to talent.