By Jeff Herzog, President, FPC National
As we turn the page on 2020, employers and job seekers are entering the new year will a sense of renewed optimism and enthusiasm. Because of the pandemic, many companies had postponed their plans to expand their teams and fill in gaps in their workforces. Employees had also delayed their job searches, as opportunities diminished throughout the year.
Now that we are beginning to see the light at the end of this long, dark tunnel, there is widespread sentiment that it’s time to get back to the business of career advancement and recruiting. Let’s take a look at how employers and job seekers can gear up and prepare for an exciting and productive job market in 2021.
Roadmap for Employers
In 2021, companies across diverse industries will be presented with unprecedented opportunities to grow their workforces with high-caliber talent. Employees who delayed their job searches in 2020 are ready to hit the ground running this year and make a fresh start with new organizations. Companies that are prepared to capitalize on the fresh supply of top talent available in the new year will be able to enjoy a significant competitive advantage.
Here are three actions your company needs to take to prepare for the new year:
- Planning:
Recruiting and workforce development do not happen in a vacuum. They must be closely tied to your organization’s projected growth and long-term strategic plans. Take the time to perform an assessment of your existing workforce. Do you have the right people in place to bring you to the next level? Identify your gaps and create a recruiting plan to fill them.
- Onboarding:
As we discussed in a previous article, an effective onboarding strategy is the key to achieving high productivity and long-term employee retention. There is little point in investing the time and money in recruiting top talent if you do not have the mechanisms in place to ensure success. Remember, employees stay with their companies when they feel valued, connected, and challenged. Set up the right processes to position your new hires on a path to realize their full potential.
- Partnering:
As you are likely aware, hiring new employees takes a considerable amount of time, effort, and expertise. Many companies are not equipped to handle this function efficiently in-house. From creating job descriptions, navigating job boards, and sorting through resumes to interviewing candidates, conducting background checks, and negotiating job offers, the recruiting process is complex and cumbersome. Partnering with a top recruiting firm will help to ensure that you are doing it the right way. With more than 60 years of experience and a national footprint, FPC has the experience and network to help you reach your workforce objectives.
Roadmap for Job Seekers
Just as employers need to prepare for the 2021 job market, so do job seekers. If your plan is to simply set up a LinkedIn profile and wait for the offers to come in, you will be sorely disappointed. After surviving a lackluster hiring climate in 2020, companies are poised to bring on new talent. But the job market will be competitive. You will need to bring your “A-game” if you hope to stand out from the crowd. Here are three ways you can prepare for the upcoming job market:
- Updating:
It may have been some time since you dusted off your resume and updated your LinkedIn profile. Take the time to prepare your resume and profile with a focus on value and achievements, rather than on your day-to-day responsibilities. Employers need to see your contributions and successes, not just your job descriptions. If you have questions, your recruiter can provide feedback to guide you in the right direction.
- Practicing:
Walking in cold to an interview is never a good idea. Your chances of acing the interview increase significantly with practice and preparation. To prepare, you need to develop a complete understanding of the value you are bringing into a position. Think about your success stories that set you apart from the competition. What qualities do you have that will enable your next employer to solve their challenges and reach their goals? Armed with this information, you will be well positioned to make a powerful impression.
- Partnering:
There is nothing more valuable to a job seeker than a recruiter who understands their industry. Working with the right recruiter can save job seekers a lot of frustration and shorten their searches by months. It’s important to work with an agency that has a people-focused business model, so you don’t feel like just another applicant. Our slogan, “It’s all about the people,” shows that each of our recruiters in offices across the nation treats every job seeker as an individual and takes the time to understand their strengths and goals.
Seize the Day!
It’s 2021. Are you ready to dive in and capitalize on the opportunities presented in the upcoming job market? Let us know how we can help!
