As we move into Spring, the UK is beginning to return to the way it was pre-pandemic, however the recruitment market has completely changed. We are now seeing many employees moving roles for higher salaries or seek an improved lifestyle balance, possibly with hybrid working opportunities. Remaining competitive in this candidate driven market is one way you will be able to attract and retain the best talent.

A couple of years ago we saw businesses having to reduce their head counts which put many employees out of work. Fast forward two years, these businesses are now having to attract talent back and are having to compete with other companies in the same position.

So how does your business attract new talent?

Below are a few of our top tips to help you stand out from the crowd in this competitive market.

1. Act Fast

There is no time to waste when it comes to securing the best talent. Candidates will be speaking to many different companies and the ones that act the quickest whilst also building a good rapport will come out on top. You need to make sure that everything is prepared in advance so that when it comes to interviews and salary/package negotiations you have all the information you need. In short, plan the recruitment/interview process well in advance and have your offer letters and contracts of employment ready to go!

2. Streamline Interviews

Following on from the point above, streamlining the interview process is key. Starting with the job description right through to the actual interview and the references. Each part of the process needs to be as efficient and timely as possible. Avoid multiple and unnecessary interviews that span across 3-4 weeks, in this timeframe it is very possible that a candidate could be interviewed and offered a role somewhere else.

3. Publish and pay the right salary

Make sure the salary you are advertising on any advert or job description is aligned with the market rate within your industry sector/location. If it isn’t, you could be damaging your brands’ reputation. The last thing you want is to be known as the company who underpays, we can help advise on this and your benefits package too. We’ve seen various clients offer new, relatively inexpensive benefits that really make them stand out.

4. Communication is key!

During the hiring process the communication you have with a potential candidate is so important. If the process is taking longer than expected, all you have to do is send a quick email or even better, phone up the candidate and explain the situation. Being upfront and transparent if there are delays will only help to build that relationship and keep the candidate excited about the role.

5. Working on your company and individual personal branding

Many companies spend a lot of their marketing efforts on building up their business brand. However, the modern-day candidate is much more interested in the people who work for the business as team culture is so important to them. It’s a good idea to encourage your employees to work on their own personal branding by posting regularly on LinkedIn. You never know who is following you and watching your activity. Many candidates will be keeping an eye on who works for your company and looking for influential leaders they want to work with.

By focusing your efforts on making sure your hiring process is as streamlined as possible, whilst working on your company and personal branding, you should be able to stand out from the crowd and secure the best talent.