An organization is only as effective as the people that it hires. To that end, hiring is an extremely important component of any organization. The human resources manager in charge of the hiring process must ensure that new hires are a good fit for the company that will complement long term goals.
Obtaining the most talented individuals in a certain field can be a difficult process, but also a very rewarding one. When an organization wants to find the best talent in the field, it must turn to new approaches in hiring philosophy.
The traditional approach of hiring in which applicants approach the company with a resume and are subsequently interviewed, then hired or passed over, is starting to see a subtle shift. The core of the process remains, but the approach at some companies has begun to change. Instead of collecting resumes and turning away large groups of people, many organizations are focusing on fostering a sense of community outside the company.
When the talent of new hires is a highly critical factor, it can pay to maintain a relationship, even with those that are not selected for a given position. Keeping resumes on file and alerting individuals to new positions is an excellent way to attract talent. Many companies are going so far as to maintain contacts with potential hires over months, if not years, fostering their interest in the organization. This kind of keen interest can develop a relationship that leads to securing a great hire.
With the traditional model, many applicants may feel they have no chance with the organization if they are turned down for one role. Working instead to keep potential hires informed and interested through a community atmosphere can keep good hires around, even if they weren’t right for a specific position. This kind of attention can win over talent that would otherwise never consider relocating or leaving their present jobs to work with the organization.
Although the traditional approach certainly has merit for many organizations, this more involved and long term view to hiring may benefit companies that need to attract the best talent. Some of the best talent in the field may be held at other firms, with no intention of ever considering a different organization. Through a strong community effort and a personal touch to the process, such important talent may eventually reconsider.
