How APSG Recruitment Can Help You Hire the Best Talent in a Post-COVID World
The term the “new normal” came to prominence over the COVID-19 pandemic. From ordering food to overseas travel, everything was labelled as the “new normal”, and we made the adjustments to adapt. It comes as no surprise that recruitment was not exempt from this “new normal”. In fact, the changes instigated by the COVID-19 pandemic have revolutionised how employees approach working environments and how businesses operate.
How the pandemic has affected recruitment
Australia is currently facing the lowest unemployment rate since the 70s. Bjorn Jarvis, in the August 2022 ABS, advised that Australia’s falling unemployment rate indicates “an increasingly tight labour market, including high job vacancies and ongoing labour shortages”
Whether it be due to underpopulation, fewer overseas workers, the increase in self-employed and freelance workers, or the off-the-grid lifestyle movement, Australian businesses are facing the issue of high job vacancies paired with a smaller talent pool than ever. Thankfully it’s not all doom and gloom. At present, Australia is tackling some issues with resourcing, however, at the same time, we have a steady increase in GDP. Meaning there is ample opportunity for market growth, but not necessarily the right resourcing to take advantage of these opportunities. Consequently, now more than ever, we have a unique opportunity to adapt to the “new normal” and shift how we approach recruitment and staff retention.
Re-evaluating your recruitment strategy
This new normal has seen the focus shift from the business/role to the candidate. Even the likes of Australia’s leading job advertising website, Seek.com, have seen significant changes in use with a 40% reduction in job applicants over 2021, despite a 38% increase in job ads posted on the platform. Ultimately, a saturated job market means candidates have their pick of roles; it’s a candidate’s market out there and they know it!
With this landscape, the competition for obtaining strong talent is rife amongst businesses, and employers must put their best foot forward to attract candidates. It’s certainly competitive, however, the best employers have approached this change as a new opportunity to reengage with the candidates, work out their needs and discover the best fit for both parties.
It’s a competitive recruitment market. Businesses need to adapt to keep up.
Studies have shown in more recent years that despite employees’ preference for lifestyle and culture over remuneration, the flashy “benefits” like novelty bean bags and free energy drinks, are not indicative of employee engagement nor retention.
Time and time again, the two key indicators of engagement and retention (i.e., successful recruitment process), are shared mission and values, and responsive communication (especially, interdepartmental, and cross-hierarchical). Now, that’s not to say a free drinks fridge wouldn’t go unappreciated, but it’s certainly an important idea to reflect on.
In the long run, employees are not interested in the flashy “culture adds”, but in working in an organisation where the culture aligns with core values, investment is a reciprocated relationship, and where they can develop a sense of belonging (vital in any retention strategy).
How APSG approaches recruitment
This is what APSG is passionate about; bringing like-minded professionals together to achieve amazing results! We focus on the detailed needs of each business and candidate, investing in both far beyond the initial transaction. With our speciality in growth-based roles, our goal is to partner with you for the betterment and ongoing development of the individual and the organisation.
From personal experience, we understand the impact that an unsuccessful recruitment strategy has on a business. From the immediate impact on BAU to the long-term financial and organisational growth impacts; businesses suffer when they do not have the right people in the right roles, at the right time.
Definitively, previous talent acquisition approaches no longer support this changing workforce climate. The days of reactive recruitment are gone. Now more than ever, businesses require driven and targeted recruitment strategies. At APSG, we are not a passive recruitment agency, we are thoughtful, commercially minded head-hunters who are passionate about supporting our clients in finding talent whose skillset, mission, and values all align. We may be the new “kids on the block”, but we have the experience and knowledge to get your results, and we’re here to stay.
THE AUTHOR
Brigid Hanson
Business Manager – Australian Project Solutions Group
