With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to get active and hire passive.
No, that’s not an oxymoron. In fact, passive hiring is the little-known secret weapon of many successful employers with top-performing employees. It’s all about building a strategy around identifying and connecting with amazing talent, even when you’re not in an active hiring period.
The benefits become clear during high-demand seasons. Don’t believe us? The following list may change your mind!
New to passive hiring? Here’s a crash course.
You’ll avoid the last-minute scramble.
Being first is great. Innovators are first to the new best thing. Team captains get first choice for teammates. And as a hiring manager, passive hiring means you get to connect with the best talent – often before they’re even on the market.
Because let’s face it: if you’re hiring when everyone else is, the chances of you snagging the best seasonal hires is slim. If you’re building those connections all year round, well, you’ll be laughing by the time December arrives.
You’ll build quality relationships.
One of the biggest downsides to massive hiring periods is the lack of time to build quality relationships. Even if they’re temp workers, they’re still going to be a part of your team! Taking the time to make quality connections with prospective employees not only allows you to leave a positive impression with them as an employer, it also boosts your chances of getting them on your team when you have an opening available.
You’ll have a backup (in case the worst happens).
We’ve all been there: a seemingly solid hire flakes at the last minute, leaving you high and dry in the middle of the busiest period of the year. There’s no way you have time to go back to the drawing board. Who has the time??
Enter your handy passive-hiring shortlist, aka ‘Plan B(ackup)’. You’ll be grateful to have this on hand in an emergency – trust us!
So how do I start?
Talk is fine and all, but you need a plan. So how do you get this passive hiring strategy in place? It’s easier than you think:
Keep hiring in mind all year round. Your ideal hire could be available outside of your hiring periods, and keeping their resume “on file” won’t be enough to sway them when you’re ready to hire. (Trust us: job seekers know what that’s code for!) If you’re connecting in person, do a quick interview on the spot and ask if they’ll be interested in a job during the seasonal period. That way, when it’s time for them to look for employment, you’ll be top of mind!
Continue engaging shortlisted candidates. Had a number of great candidates apply during your last hiring wave? Be sure to save them in your Applicant Tracking System and mark if they’d be interested in working with you during the seasonal period!
Don’t have an Applicant Tracking System? Here’s a great one to consider!
Go to the source. There are few things more appealing to a job-seeker than a proactive employer. Contact job seekers throughout the year who have great experience. Have a great connection? Let them know you want to keep them top of mind for future opportunities. Flattery won’t get you everywhere – but it can get you pretty far!
Not sure where to start? HigherMe’s Talent Pool lets employers view active job seekers, review their profiles, and connect with them. Definitely check it out!
Ready to get hiring? HigherMe’s Hiring Suite can help your business save time and money while connecting you with qualified candidates. Contact us at contact@higherme.com or explore our products and services here!