They say “people make the business” for a reason. Without high-quality, well-trained staff, it can be challenging – especially for a small business – to operate efficiently. The constant need to train new employees because of high turnover creates stress for the business, both financially and operationally. Knowing how to “Recruit to Retain”– or how to find and keep the right people for your team – is key to the success of your business.
Attracting the right talent isn’t easy. Constantly changing job markets and limited resources for recruitment, benefits, and salaries can make competing for top candidates difficult. When you do hire, mismatches in cultural fit and long-term goal alignment can result in unexpected turnover. It’s challenging, but the steps that follow will help you overcome the challenges and build a team focused on success.
Know who you need and how you want to keep them. Then prioritize these goals based on the immediate needs of your business. If you need more people, identify the profile of your ideal candidate for each role. If you have the people you need, but high turnover is a significant issue, focus on employee happiness. Whatever you need, clear, measurable goals will provide a roadmap for your HR activities, helping you stay focused and making it easier to track progress.
It’s easier to narrow down your search for the perfect candidates when you identify key positions and create detailed profiles for each. Once you’ve done that, a successful search plan might include diversifying your recruitment channels to reach more potential candidates. Or you might attract more like-minded recruits with job postings that not only highlight role requirements and benefits but also reflect your company’s culture and messaging. Knowing who you need and having a plan for how to recruit them will make every search more successful.
A study completed by The Brandon Hall Group found that employees who had a positive onboarding experience had an 82% retention rate. Interestingly, only 12% of employees feel their organization does well when onboarding new employees.
Your employees can be part of that 12 percent! Invest time in creating a great onboarding experience for your new hires. Tell them what they’re responsible for and how they’re expected to fulfill those responsibilities. Provide the training and resources they need to perform their job. Be welcoming – introduce them to the team, let them know where to go for help, encourage their coworkers to reach out to them. Check in with them regularly. In short, show them they matter.
Investing in your employees’ growth boosts their satisfaction and benefits your business. Do what you can to encourage employees to expand their skills and grow within your company. Provide additional training, establish career paths, create a culture of recognition that acknowledges and rewards their contributions. Overall, prioritize employee happiness by creating a supportive work environment, where employees feel valued and heard.
“Recruiting to Retain” is key to running an efficient and successful business. High turnover and constant training can be a real challenge, both financially and operationally. Small businesses, in particular, struggle with recruitment, benefits, and salaries because of limited resources in the ever-changing job market. But with the right strategies (or HR Supports),you can recruit and keep top talent, setting your business up for long-term success.
