Meeting the Challenge of Entry Level Recruitment

Anyone that is directly involved with recruitment oryour company.
hiring knows just how difficult it can be getting the rightYour locality or the largest town or city near you will
amount of help or even just finding the right candidatesmost likely have an Economic Development
from the pool of potentials. There is always some riskDepartment. In almost every case these agencies
involved since any company that hires the wronghave several programs to provide business growth
employee can actually lose valuable time and moneyand development. In fact, many of them offer grants
on its projects. In some cases the consequence forto new businesses and job placement for those who
hiring the wrong fit for the job costs the companycomplete their job training programs. Ask about training
much more than the actual value that personprograms and get on the mailing list. Often they offer
potentially could bring to the firm. In the worst casejob placement services for students who complete
scenario, a mismatched new hire can potentially leadtheir courses.
to an increased number of accidents and even fatalNonprofit organizations exist to serve the community in
accidents. Less severe, but very costly in productivitymany different ways. There are grant funded
is the new recruit who brings down the morale of theprograms for job training in many industries. Contact
work crew.your local government offices and your local United
Recruiting is not an exact science, but experienceWay to find out what programs exist.
teaches that there are a number of factors to beDo some research. It is very possible that some
considered when bring new recruits to the workplace.agency near you has received a community based
Finding qualified and motivated recruits is a majorjob training grant that requires placement of their
problem for many firms. This is especially true of thosegraduates. These grants exist to increase the capacity
companies in regions that experience fast expansionof community colleges to provide training in local high
of businesses and related population. Expanding quicklyschools to there are skilled workers for high demand
to meet such a surge can be a daunting task.industries. They are often looking for local companies
There are a number of options to consider whento hire or offer internships and apprenticeships for their
recruiting increasing the likelihood of finding qualified andstudents.
available talent to meet routine hiring needs or inOffer to teach an evening class at your local high
response to need to hire to meet market demands.school or community college. This puts you in front of
Consider the following options:job seekers every week. You could also offer to do
Contact your local junior colleges, colleges andone or two seminars per semester. Most local colleges
universities to hire students as interns, co-ops, oronly require that you be an expert at what you do.
part-time employees. Often these relationships areGet Online! Register your company with one of the
beneficial to both sides. The company gets to knowmany agencies that act as a go between for
the potential applicant and utilize the student's help atemployers and job seekers.
typically half the price of a full-time employee, while theAt the same time you are trying out the approaches
student gets to gain valuable practical experience,listed above, there are some actions you can take that
test-drive the company, and understand what theirshould lead to more immediate results. There are a
future career path holds for them.number of companies that specialize in locating
Another way to find applicants is to go directly to thequalified recruits for entry level applicants. One
schools themselves. Many schools allow companies tocompany that is providing a way to supplement
come in and make presentations to the students aftercompanies' needs is StudentResumeBooks.com, and
or in between classes. Typically the only cost to dosimilar services, compile construction students' resumes
this is the price of pizza and drinks for the studentsfrom across the nation and assembles books for
that arrive for the presentation. Many schools will alsopurchase online. This service provides a fast and
have a program where companies can present andefficient means for the employer to sort through the
sign up interested students for interviews. This not onlyresumes of interested workers. It makes the process
helps with current hiring but also advertises theof deciding which person is the best for your situation
company's name, which is in many cases, the majora much more accurate and efficient use of your time.
factor in the companies that students desire to workWhen using this type of online service you will have a
for.group of resumes to review and compare, all in one
Network with your colleagues at association, union,file as you make interview decisions. This service can
Chamber of Commerce and other trade associationalso be a handy tool for anyone hiring interns or
meetings and functions. You never know when anco-ops. This resource is helpful for current and future
industry mixer or banquet might result in an eagerhiring needs. The user will be able, for instance, to hold
candidate.on to the applicant's resume and contact the applicants
Place an advertisement in not only your localat a later time after they have more work experience.
newspaper, but in local free weekly and monthlyThe cost of using a resume book service is much less
newspapers, newsletters and the local businessthan the cost of working with headhunters and
directory. Many directory listings are free since therecruiting agencies.
directories are often advertiser supported.Recruiting new workers has always been, and maybe
Remain open to accepting referrals from current andalways will be a major challenge for the companies.
former employees, but keep in mind that relying on thisYet, with adequate planning, creativity, partnerships,
method too heavily can lead to a workforce that is notcollaborations and online technology, the process can
diverse and may inadvertently lead to being stuck withbe less time consuming and more productive.
some workers who are not necessarily the best for