How to Hire Skilled Professionals to Propel Your Success

You must hire skilled professionals to propel your success, regardless of industry or employee category. Attracting and retaining a skilled workforce has a significant impact on your company’s performance, culture, and overall success. With the vast increase in competition to hire skilled professionals against the backdrop of the Great Resignation, it’s essential to adopt effective strategies to ensure you are not only attracting but also engaging with the most suitable candidates. Here are some best practices that can help you hire skilled professionals and build a strong team.

The skills gap

As you can see in the image above, the skills gap among skilled marketing professionals is real. As a marketing professor, I acknowledge that part of the problem is that universities are still training marketing students in the skills needed in a different era, which means they have negligible skills in data science and analytics beyond basic statistics. They have more training in product marketing, traditional advertising, and market research, especially in industries such as manufacturing, instead of modern skills like web design, social media, user experience design, and anything dealing with the tech industry. Further, much of their classroom experience comes from case studies with legacy industries and large companies, which doesn’t always translate into skills that help SMEs (small and midsized enterprises).

Many companies fail to see the value in hiring marketing professionals for these reasons. Instead, companies like Proctor and Gamble hire engineers due to their quantitative skills as product managers despite their total lack of understanding of consumer markets. Advertising agencies hire English majors as account managers because they decide that these employees can write well, which is all that’s involved in creating an advertising campaign, and they work cheaply. I sat with one high-level manager at a major advertising agency who swore he would never hire an employee with a marketing degree. In a meeting with a client support team, I mentioned a relatively widely known marketing concept and showed how it would help in creating the campaign for their client. Everyone in the room thought I was super intelligent because they’d never heard of that concept.

However, when you hire skilled professionals, whether for your marketing department or as managers, you gain the benefit of their knowledge, training, and experience, which allows you to grow your business faster and succeed in the long run.

How to hire skilled professionals

Leverage multiple recruitment channels

Using various recruitment channels increases your chances of reaching a broader and more diverse talent pool. While traditional methods like job boards are effective, expanding your recruitment strategy to include social media platforms, professional networks like LinkedIn, and even niche websites can yield better results. Since each channel attracts a different demographic, leveraging multiple platforms ensures the right people see your job listings.

College job fairs are still a thing, although most universities have gone high-tech to connect more companies to their graduating students more efficiently and with less expense. Work to develop relationships with universities that produce the skilled professionals you need to propel your success.

For example, LinkedIn is excellent for professional networking and connecting with experienced candidates. Facebook or Twitter can help you reach a younger audience, while niche websites can target professionals in specific industries. By using multiple channels, you’re ensuring your job opportunities reach skilled professionals who might otherwise miss your listing.

Create clear and compelling job descriptions

A well-written job description is the first impression candidates have of your company and the role you’re offering. Make sure your job descriptions are clear and concise and highlight the key responsibilities and requirements of the position. AI is a great tool for writing a first draft to ensure you cover the main points needed for a good job description.

For instance, rather than mentioning computer skills, detail which skills you need, such as web design or specific software tools such as Python. Avoid jargon or vague language that might confuse or deter potential candidates. Also, don’t add skills and qualifications to your job description that don’t translate into success on the job. It’s unrealistic, for example, to expect you can hire skilled professionals with a college degree and years of work experience for an entry-level position (and salary).

Focus on outlining the skills and qualifications you’re looking for, and don’t forget to include what makes your company a great place to work. Mention any unique perks, benefits, or growth opportunities to stand out from other job listings. A compelling job description should also be honest and realistic, setting clear expectations about the role.

Engage with professional communities

Joining and engaging with professional communities, both online and offline, is a great way to hire skilled professionals. Participate in industry forums, attend networking events, and discuss social media groups related to your industry. These communities are often filled with individuals who are actively seeking new opportunities or are open to hearing about them.

By being present and active in these spaces, you position your company as an involved and knowledgeable participant in the industry. This approach builds trust and makes it easier to connect with potential candidates on a more personal level.

Utilize employee referrals

Your existing employees can be a valuable source for connecting with skilled professionals. Encourage employees to refer candidates from their networks. Employee referrals are often a reliable way to find high-quality candidates because they come with a personal recommendation and are more likely to be an excellent cultural fit. Offer incentives for successful referrals to motivate employees to participate in the process. When team members refer to someone they believe would excel in the role, it not only strengthens your hiring efforts but also fosters a sense of community within the company.

However, have systems in place to carefully screen these referrals to ensure they meet your diversity goals, as it’s common for employees to refer candidates who look like them. Also, carefully avoid discrimination in your hiring, which is more likely when using an employee referral network.

Optimize your job listings

To hire skilled professionals, optimize your job listings with the right keywords. Include relevant industry terms and phrases that candidates are likely to search for when looking for new opportunities. This improves your visibility on job boards and search engines, making it easier for potential candidates to find you.

Additionally, ensure your job listings are mobile-friendly. Many professionals browse job opportunities on their mobile devices, and a job listing that isn’t optimized for mobile use can turn potential candidates away.

Share your listings effectively

Once you have crafted a compelling job listing, ensure it reaches the right audience. Take advantage of platforms that enable you to share a job listing with ease and target your desired demographic. This will amplify your reach and connect you with professionals looking for the right opportunity.

Final thoughts

Connecting with skilled professionals requires a strategic approach that combines multiple channels, clear communication, and active engagement. By following these best practices, you can effectively reach and attract top talent, ensuring your organization has the expertise and skills needed to thrive. Whether you’re posting a job online, attending networking events, or seeking referrals from current employees, a proactive and thoughtful approach will yield the best results.

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Hausman and Associates, the publisher of MKT Maven, is a full-service marketing agency operating at the intersection of marketing and digital media. Check out our full range of services.