Hiring during the third quarter isn’t a summer breeze. Prospects aren’t aggressively job hunting and summer vacations make it hard to score face time with sought after candidates. Just because the majority of top talent is likely enjoying a well-deserved vacation, doesn’t mean that your need for skilled talent is slowing down. Stand out from the competition and follow these tips to make the most of summer recruiting:
Empathize with summer schedules, as many people have holidays planned mid-summer along with family activities now that the kids are out of school. Great candidates are worth the wait. Bonus: Some employees have more relaxed schedules and some have summer hours, thus allowing them more time to sneak away for an interview. You can always bridge the gap with video interviews, just be sure to set expectations (i.e. board shorts prohibited, professional attire still applies.)
When the boss is away, top talent will play—with job boards. Summer is often a time of reflection for employees, making it prime time for them to join the job hunt. In fact, a recent survey by Accountemps reveals that 48 percent of workers between the ages of 18 and 34 are likely to conduct job-search activities at work. Where are gainfully employed prospects doing their search? Mobile. During lunch, on their breaks, or at their desks hoping nobody notices, top talent rely on the convenience of mobile search to find, research and apply for jobs. Get in front of each and every possible prospect by ensuring your site is optimized for mobile search.
Vacation season is the calm before the fourth quarter hiring storm. Consider it your time to break through noise and shout-out to top talent without straining your voice. Sought-after candidates are out there, but, because of complex summer schedules, it may just take a little more effort to connect with them. Don’t let beachy umbrella drinks stand between you and the perfect hire, communicating via text message is an easy, quick and increasingly favored way to stay in touch professionally. The average person checks their phone over 150 times a day so, even if your candidate is on vacation, your message is sure to be seen.
Summer means an influx of eager college grads entering the job market. Though you may be seeking more seasoned applicants, don’t overlook the value of wide-eyed youth. And, since it’s “slow” season, recruiters have more time to take deep-dives with candidates that they may otherwise pass over. Summer is a great time to hire the best entry-level candidates that will eagerly strive to go above and beyond. Increase your chances of getting noticed by college grads and take this time to amp your social media recruiting efforts. Don’t forget to freshen up your career site by showcasing your awesome workplace culture to attract younger demographics.
While other recruiters are kicking their feet up for the summer, yours are on the recruiting trail—taking advantage of reduced competition. Don’t let the summer blues get to you; use this time to recharge your hiring strategy and make your competition feel the (sun)burn.
