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One of the greatest struggles today for businesses of all sizes is attracting qualified employees.
EMPLOYEE MAGNETISM - Part I:
How to Attract New Employees
One of the greatest struggles today for businesses of all sizes is attracting qualified employees. Actually, this struggle has become so wide-spread, it extends even to struggling to attract semi-qualified employees. However, the absence of available employees makes it especially difficult for small employers who are competing for the same pool of candidates as larger employers - who have much deeper pockets.
So it becomes even more important that you understand the importance of becoming a MAGNET for new employees. A magnet that attracts the right people - the people suited to your environment, your work, your culture, your skill needs, etc.
In the scientific magnetism opposites attract. In the human resource magnetism, the last thing we want is to be a magnet for the 'wrong' employees. In order to move forward on the wrong track, we must ask a difficult question: What is your track record on who you attract to your organization?
If you're not attracting the 'right' employees, what are the reasons? Is it because of the image you or your employees are presenting as an organization? The core to effective employee magnetism is being 'attractive' as an employer and to 'repel' the employees not suited to your work, your customers or your setting.
To ensure your attractiveness ask yourself these questions:
- What do your candidates see when they consider you as their employer?
- Can they see the culture and spirit you intend?
- Are they welcomed warmly?
- Do they see camaraderie between employees?
- Do they get a sense of you as a knowledgeable, good-to-work-for manager?
- Are you creating an atmosphere of respect?
- Can they observe how you treat your customers?
- Do your employment ads and interviews reflect a pleasant and fun, yet challenging place to work?
- Is the professionalism of your operation consistently in sight?Or do your candidates see too many of the rough edges - resulting in attracting employees whose work ethics and behaviors are also rough.
Good, qualified employees have a clear sense of the work environment they seek. It is each manager's responsibility to define and live the creation of that positive workplace. We are all too familiar with businesses who are magnets for the wrong types of employees. Make sure as you walk through your business, you know what kinds of employees you're attracting.
Arlene Vernon, PHR, is a professional speaker, consultant and author on maximizing the human resources in your managers and your people.