Developing High Impact Recruitment Marketing...

Alberta’s unemployment rate is the lowest in Canada at 4.9% and Alberta and Saskatchewan are forecasted to lead Canadian economic performance across Canada in the next few years. The B-word is back… that's boom. Yes, it's starting to creep back into conversations about recruitment. For many companies in Western Canada — from Saskatoon, to Red Deer to Calgary —  the shortage of skilled staff represents what may be the biggest looming threat to continued growth.

The competition — and the cost — to attract and retain employees is just going to heat up. Over the next 8 years, it's estimated that almost 40,000 construction workers will be needed to handle growth and retirement. That's just in construction. More generally, Alberta is forecasting a short-fall of 114,000 workers over the next decade, which is 48% higher than predicted during the 2009 recession. With oil prices expected to remain positive in the short term, it is quickly shifting to an employees' market again, similar to that of 2008.

Now is the Time to get Proactive on Employee Recruitment…

Smart employers are trying to get ahead of the talent crunch before its full effect is felt. Given the tight hiring environment, companies who want to take advantage of the upswing will have to stay on top of the talent scene. Establishing a clear recruitment message is critical, but so is planning how that message will be used.

So, what can you begin doing today that will pay dividends through the months ahead?

• review policies for compensation, attraction and retention
• identify positions that will need to be filled, and create a worker profile for those
• reanalyze your ability to get the best out of your existing people
• focus on boosting operating efficiencies to curb hiring (up-training)
• focus on what is going well in your organization and celebrate success
• begin drafting an innovative marketing recruitment plan

Five Ways to Remain an Employer of Choice

We've helped many companies with talent and recruitment initiatives. By focusing on recruitment communications early, you can quickly move from a reactive posture and make faster decisions. There is no magic bullet for recruitment. Retaining the cream of the crop and remaining an employer of choice takes time, effort and money.

Here are five areas where we can help your business improve its hiring marketing process:

1. We can help you develop a strong hiring message and actively build your presence in targeted communities. With the right messaging and tools, your company will remain top in mind and visible. We can help you with traditional print and online advertising, trade show materials, and recruitment collateral.
2. We can help you improve the web-based intake of potential candidates and refine job postings on your own site and on other internet locations.   
3. We can help you use or better use social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter in your recruitment efforts. This will broaden your geographic reach and attract a wider pool of candidates.
4. We can help you redevelop orientation presentations and materials to better reflect your company's current culture and its goals. 
5. We can help you put your in-house employee programs and training on the top of your priority list and help you better engage your employees to better motivate them and maintain their loyalty.

Our firm has the skills and experience to craft local, provincial and national recruitment career campaigns. If you would like to discuss your company's employment marketing plan, please contact us.