Today, employers are dealing with an incredibly tight labor market. Since skill gaps can also be pervasive both in a current team and the remainder of the workforce, the situation can seem even more daunting.
When you need a specific skill to ensure your team thrives, not being able to find that perfect employee can be incredibly frustrating. However, there is a solution that allows you to address skill gaps and potentially boost retention at your company. If you can’t find your ideal new hire, here’s what you need to know.
Don’t Hire, Train Your Team
In many cases, companies can address skill gaps with greater ease by forgoing the recruitment process entirely. Training a current top performer in that area can be a surprisingly effective alternative. Plus, it is often viewed as a win-win for the worker and the business.
When you properly upskill your staff, you can gain access to the skills you need. Additionally, if you also integrate cross-training into your professional development paradigm, you can ensure that you have the right level of coverage if an employee is unexpectedly absent or decides to seek out opportunities elsewhere.
Once the workers are trained, you have access to the skill your team requires. This can boost productivity and may make additional hiring unnecessary, something that can positively impact your bottom line. As long as the new duties don’t overburden your staff, you have found an effective alternative to trying to hunt down a perfect candidate to fill the gap.
For employees, the ability to acquire new skills and grow as professionals is often seen as a valuable benefit. Many of your best and brightest enjoy facing new challenges and want to move forward in their career. By offering them a chance to improve their capabilities, you can position yourself as an employer of choice who actively supports their team’s growth. As a result, you become a more attractive employer, something that can boost retention and recruitment results.
When You Need a New Employee
At times, training your existing team isn’t a functional alternative to hiring a new employee. For example, if your workers are already at max capacity in regards to their workloads, putting additional duties on their shoulders may be unrealistic. However, even when this occurs, that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to improve your situation.
First, you can shake up your hiring approach to focus on a candidate’s potential instead of the hard skills they bring to the table. A new hire who is enthusiastic about learning and can be trained to cover the gap can be a great addition to your team, particularly since their passion leads to higher engagement and productivity.
Second, even in a tight labor market, it is possible your perfect employee is out there. If you need help finding your ideal match, partnering with a staffing firm can make a difference. When you partner with a recruitment agency, you gain access to their expertise. Plus, staffing firms traditionally maintain vast networks filled with skilled professionals, including coveted passive job seekers you might not otherwise connect with.
If you are looking for a recruitment agency that can assist you in finding your perfect employee, the team at TempStaff can help. Contact us to learn more about our services and see how our recruiting expertise can benefit you.
