Finding new employees and keeping them once they are hired was the focus of a seminar hosted last week in Estevan by Community Futures Sunrise.
Successful Staffing was held last Wednesday at the Days Inn and featured human resource professional Stacy Brownridge of Arcola. Brownridge's company Hire Yield HR Solutions, has assisted a number of local companies in recruiting employees. She said she was happy with how last week's session was received by the participants.
"It went really well and we had positive feedback from it because we always do evaluations afterwards," Brownridge said.
The session was obviously well-timed with businesses throughout the southeast continuing to struggle to find employees. Brownridge said when it comes to recruiting, it is important for companies to understand the image they project to prospective employees.
"People are so important now in the day-to-day operation of our businesses. It depends what type of business you run but take a look at how a candidate would view your business, how they would view you as an employer and how to capitalize on that. Every business is a little bit different but sometimes we get in a rut of how we think about things, so step outside the boundaries because those are the things that get attention from prospective candidates or people moving to the area," said Brownridge, who added that while acting as a desirable employer is important, it is just as important to actually be one.
Social media is also becoming an important tool in recruiting employees. Although businesses should not dispose of the traditional means of advertising Brownridge said it is a good supplement to avenues such as the newspaper or radio.
The interview process is naturally another important part of the employment process and something that is also changing. Unlike in the past when jobs were more scarce, it was simply the employee interviewing the prospective employee. Now, with so many options available for employees, the interview is just as important for the business to make their case to candidates.
"It is a two-way street when candidates have so much choice for jobs in the marketplace. Candidates are not desperate anymore," said Brownridge. "They defintitely have a choice so keeping that in the back of our minds is (important)."
Although the market for labour is tight, Brownridge cautioned that businesses should not lower their standards and cut corners.
"You don't want to take people for the sake of taking them. You still have to do you due diligence in terms of going through a good process with people and selecting the candidates that you want. I see too many people not utilizing the means of recruitment and selection and that ends up sometimes causing some issues."
Retention is also a critical aspect of the employment chain. Brownridge said there are many steps for employers to retain their employees. In particular she suggests keeping an open dialogue with employees on what their strengths and weaknesses are.
"You always want to talk to people and make sure they know where they are at; where their pros are and what things they should be working on. Sometimes we forget about those things as busy managers, but it is really important to be open and honest with people.
"Also, show them the results of their work and what impact it has."
Brownridge has been running her business since 2008 and has worked with a number of clients throughout the southeast. Hire Yield also has an office in Moose Jaw. The company's website is www.hireyield.ca
