5 Ways Hiring Managers Can Get Positions Filled Fast

It’s no secret that the economy has fully recovered from the Great Recession. Unemployment is at record lows. The outlook for recent graduates is rosier than it has been in twelve years. And yet, full employment is not a win for everyone, namely, hiring managers who can’t seem to catch a break.

According to research from McKinley Marketing Partners, 44 percent of hiring managers report that they have trouble finding qualified candidates. In today’s market there are more open positions than there are talented professionals to fill them. Hiring managers who are already understaffed not only have to cover for their missing team members, they also have the unenviable task of filling roles in a candidate’s job market.

So how do you find the talent you need when you’re short on time? There’s no magical formula. But there are five practical tactics you can employ today to expedite your hiring process, find the people you need, and get back to doing the work you love.

1. Create a clear and thorough job description.

You don’t want to waste time by creating and publishing inaccurate job postings that attract the wrong candidates. Jobs often morph as the priorities of the company and the needs of the department shift. If you have a job description drafted from the last time the position was vacant, update it to reflect any changes that have occurred. Copying and pasting an old, inaccurate job description slows your hiring process as it will take longer for your hiring team to find the candidates you actually need.

2. Become an expert on how your company fills positions.

The protocol for hiring varies from company to company. So get friendly with HR. Ask questions. Learn if you have the personnel budget to offer a new team member a permanent position with benefits or if you need to hire a contractor through procurement. Clarity around the hiring process at your organization will help you get the position filled with the right person faster. Get this information ahead of time. Learning as you encounter red tape and roadblocks will slow down the process.

3. Partner with a staffing firm.

Recruiters have access to a wide pool of candidates and are skilled at employing best practices to find talent beyond those who are actively searching. According to a survey conducted by American Staffing Association and Career Builder, working with a staffing firm can help hiring managers not only fill positions, but also provide salary data, information on hiring trends, recruiting best practices, and HR-related rules and compliance information.

4. Expand your search.

If your company has always had a team on site, consider hiring remote workers. Not only is this a pragmatic option because there are fewer local candidates who are available, but remote work is proving to get remarkable results. According to a report by Here & Now when leaders grant work from home options, productivity and retention both increase. Scott Gautz, former executive at Proctor & Gamble said “we're in the middle of the great talent wars and I can promise you, greater flexibility is going to be a major weapon in winning the talent wars moving forward. More and more companies are realizing that, that this is now the cost of doing business. It's not just a nice to have that sounds sexy in a company brochure. This is going to have to be a part of the way we're getting work done moving forward.” So consider candidates who are not local or who prefer the flexibility of working from home.

5. Get creative on what you can offer.

In a tight job market, if you have limited funds, it can be difficult, but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to attract the right fit for your role. Think creatively. If you have a salary cap, what can you offer to sweeten the deal? Flex time? Summer Fridays? A monthly Metro card? Other kinds of bonuses? If your secret weapon is an incredible culture, demonstrate that in the interview process. If there is a path for advancement, make it clear. If there is potential for a raise in the future, highlight it.

Finding talented professionals today is no easy task, but thankfully, there are some elements of the search process that are within your control. Utilize expert resources. Get crystal clear on both what you need and what you can offer, and you will get your positions filled fast.

Hilary Sutton is a writer, consultant, and speaker, passionate about helping people spend their days in work that is wildly fulfilling. She is the host of the podcast, “Hustle and Grace with Hilary Sutton” and the author of several eBooks and courses including Get Your Dream Off the Ground. HilarySutton.com