Recruiting in a Winter Wonderland

The following article discusses end-of-the-year recruiting, and was originally published in December of 2014. It has since been updated to reflect new statistics on candidate recruiting as of December 2016. Need more insight? Here are some related articles to get you by:

• Get Job Offers Out Before 2017
• Don't Let Stranger Things Happen to Your Hiring Process
• How to Cultivate a Compelling Candidate Experience

Not everyone sees winter as the beautiful transformation of nature that it can be. For recruiters, the winter season can throw up some roadblocks, but you have a choice. Are you going to let the storm outside hold you down, or are you going to recruit in a winter wonderland? You decide.

No Need for a Sleigh with Video Interviewing

Aside from just plain never wanting to leave our toasty little abodes again until outside stops looking like winter in Narnia, sometimes you simply cannot, or rather should not, leave the house. Inclement weather can quickly go beyond inconvenient, to scary when you have to travel.

Kick this recruiting season off right with video screening and interviewing. Snow days, icy roads and those fun surprise visits from passing–by family won’t stop you or your candidates from plowing through the recruiting process. Beyond the convenience, video interviewing will save as much as 67% on traditional recruiting travel costs.

2016 Statistic: Generations are getting more technologically engaged, 68% of 18- to 25-year-olds searching for jobs on mobile devices. Video interviewing allows them to see your company as a cultural fit. 

Deck the Halls with Paperless Onboarding

The latest and greatest in time saving, candidate pleasing, and process-improving HR technology is paperless onboarding. Paperless onboarding is the ideal way to get candidates prepared and work-ready before they even step foot in the office. There is no need for your new candidates slip out of their cozy slippers, put on a suit and battle the harsh weather to sit in a cubicle and fill out stacks of the most redundant paperwork known to mankind. Instead, let them stay at home and make wish lists.

Did you know that 77% of Best-in-Class organizations begin the onboarding process before day one? Paperless onboarding allows new hires to complete all necessary paperwork online, from the convenience of…wherever. Smart forms reduce the redundant information fields and e-signatures put an end to the never-ending volley that paperwork seems to always be.

 77% of Best-in-Class organizations begin the onboarding process BEFORE day one. 

 Flex Options are the Biggest Box Under the Tree

There is no better time than the holidays to prove to your candidates and employees you value their time, and respect the fact that they have lives outside the office walls. Offering flex work options has become one of the hottest and most sought after workplace benefits. In fact, a report from Millennial Branding revealed 45% of Millennials will choose workplace flexibility over pay. Sure, that’s just one workforce segment, but it happens to be the largest and fastest growing workplace segment as well.

 2016 Statistic: 77% of millennials believe that a flexible schedule would make them more productive.

 45% of Millennials will choose workplace flexibility over pay.

Beyond being the largest and most attractive package under the incentives tree, current employees are more likely to be part of supporting a positive employer brand and strong company culture when they get to enjoy the benefits of a flexible work environment. In fact, employees with greater access to flexible work arrangements are more likely to stay with their current employers for at least the next year. Low-income workers who have flexibility are 30% less likely to leave their employer within two years than are those who have none. Good retention rates and workplace satisfaction levels are essential to fostering a positive employer brand. This will become increasingly vital during the holidays when businesses report more sick days, increased vacation time and personal days.

The 12 Days of Recruiting

If you were considering slowing the recruiting engines at your organization, think again. HR thought-leader, Dr. John Sullivan (@DrJohnSullivan) encourages organizations to end the year with a bang, and he gives plenty of reasons why recruiters should strike while the iron is…cold.

• Recruiting targets have more free time in December.
• There is decreased recruiting competition as poorly planned budgets begin to dwindle, but you’re ready.
• Hiring managers finally have some free time.
• It’s an ideal time to push your employee referral program.
• Candidates probably just got a bonus, making the transition less financially scary.
• Prospects are more active on their social media channels.
• A new batch of college graduates are rolling out into the workforce.