Tips on recruiting and retaining talent

[EmilieT]

Happy Friday everyone

A recent article on the O2 Business blog outlines some tips for businesses on recruiting and retaining talent, which I thought was a really interesting read!

O2 Business teamed up with Enterprise Nation and England Rugby for the Accelerate 2019 event back in February. At this event, Lyndsey Simpson, one of three CEOs at The Curve Group (a £19m turnover business that delivers Recruitment, HR services and solutions for companies of varying maturity), shared her top tips for attracting and retaining talent to your growing business. Here are a couple of her tips:

• Have a story – When you interview a potential recruit don’t make it all about you, the business and your products. Focus on why your business does what it does, where you are now and your plans for the future.
• Offer something different – Think about what you can do! At The Curve Group, for example, everyone is allowed a ‘duvet day’, when they can take a day off once each year without notice. It’s a benefit that their employees value very highly.
• Interview candidates as if they are customers – You want every person you interview to leave feeling that they want to work for you. So don’t be tempted to cut an interview short, even with candidates who aren’t the right fit for you.
• Be flexible – As a small business you can use your agility to your advantage. If it helps to recruit the best talent you could offer flexible working hours, remote or home working or perhaps a job share.
• Don’t assume your people will remain motivated and engaged – Ask them! What could you do or offer to keep them performing at their best?
• Create opportunities for promotion – SMEs often have a flat organisational structure with few opportunities for promotion. , such as giving them responsibility for key clients or projects.
• Link personal objectives to business objectives – Find ways to use your talent’s personal ambition to support and grow the business. For example, instead of investing and sending them on a project management course, give them a project to manage and let them learn ‘on the job’.

You can read more top tips in the article, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. 

If you are or have been responsible for hiring in the past, what are your tips for attracting the right candidates, and retaining your valuable employees?

On the other hand, as an employee, what attracts you to a position, and makes you want to stay with the same company?

Let us know in the comments! 

[TallTrees]

Hello @EmilieT  Happy Friday to you!

My thoughts 

1.   Treat your employee with respect throughout any difficulties they may have

      and they should help with any difficulties the Company may have as long

      as it is balanced.

2.   Pay them on time and fairly (they know what's fair)

3.   Happy environment

4.   Encourage Staff outings etc. or sporty activities and events i.e. Xmas for Staff

      (depending on size of company of course)

Finally if and when it is "parting time" keep professional and respectful and always

part with goodwill.

Just a few thoughts ~ 

[EmilieT]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this @TallTrees  

I agree with everything you've said, a lot of it is about making sure the atmosphere and relationships in the company, and making sure they are well nurtured!

[Cleoriff]

I must interviewed 100's of people over the years.

What you need from them

1) Flexibility (working for the NHS is NOT a 9-5 job with every weekend off, unless you are in an admin role) You would be expected to work a number of different shifts and in many circumstances, change a shift with minimal notice.

2) Commitment. To hard work with minimal reward other than job satisfaction. In nursing you need to understand you will work in excess of your contracted hours and you won't be paid overtime (you may

be be given time off in lieu)

3) Compassion and Empathy. Whatever post you are applying for, the customers at a hospital are patients and the only consideration is that they receive the best care from everyone.

4) Desire to learn and progress.

What can the NHS do for you as an employee?

1) Hopefully give you immense job satisfaction.

2) Nurture talent and allow them to develop. Ensuring they attend training courses and University (if relevant) We now have nurses who are far more qualified than doctors

3) Look after you when you become ill.

The NHS rarely has clubs or activity based projects for their staff. Any such clubs are bsed round the need of patients.

[jonsie]

Please pass on to the live chat recruitment processors.

[EmilieT]

@Cleoriff I like how NHS-specific this was, you're my main source of insights into this world so it's really interesting to hear ypur perspective on these topics! It sounds like it takes a very strong person and a lot of dedication, but for anyone passionate about helping others it's a huge source of satisfaction 

@jonsie