3 Strategies to Hire Top Talent in a Competitive Market

October 2, 2024

3 Strategies to Hire Top Talent in a Competitive Market

Need to hire top talent but don’t have a big recruiting team, fancy tech, or massive LinkedIn following? You’re not alone.

But what should you do? If you are like many busy professionals, you might be tempted to download a generic job description with limited details, post it on your company’s career site, and hope for the best.

Hope is not a strategy.

As a talent advisor and recruiter in the hospitality industry, I’ve seen companies fail to attract the right talent time and time again. To succeed in a competitive market, you need to get three things right:

• Build a strong employer brand.
• Research and meet market expectations.
• Actively source top candidates.

Getting these strategies in place will not only help with your next hire, but also drive sustainable growth for years to come.

 

1. Build Your Employer Brand:

You’re likely underestimating what talent knows about you. Your brand is shaped by everything: past employee stories, social media, hiring communication, and industry gossip. Being aware of your reputation and staying on top of the narrative matters because 75% of candidates will research your company before applying.

So it’s time to invest in storytelling. Talk to your employees—what motivates them to stay? Turn their stories into part of an authentic employer brand that reflects your values beyond the website’s mission statement. Treat your people well, and they’ll spread the word.

 

2. Do Your Research:

Nothing turns off talent faster than being out of touch with market expectations. Research industry salaries, benefits, and the value candidates expect. Be upfront—share the salary range to attract the right fit. Missing the mark will not only cost you top talent but also leave roles unfilled, signaling that no one wants the job.

Once you’ve nailed the basics, stand out with your unique value. Beyond salary and benefits, candidates are seeking a company that aligns with their personal values, gives them a sense of purpose and belonging, looks after their well-being, and fosters growth opportunities. Show that your company is a career move worth making.

 

3. Be Active, Not Passive:

You can’t rely on job boards alone to find your next rockstar. From experience, at any given time, talent are aware of only 25% of open positions. They aren’t actively searching—they’re succeeding in their current roles. This is why you need to be proactive in finding them before your competitors do.

Get resourceful. Don’t hesitate to partner with niche recruiters who know your industry inside out. They have years of experience with the talent pool you need and can often connect you with candidates you wouldn’t otherwise find.

 

Hiring the right people is key to scaling your business, and success comes from being strategic and proactive long before you hit “publish” on that job listing.

With the right strategy, hiring won’t feel daunting—it will feel like a smart move, positioning your business for growth.

 

By Kelly Dodd – Tourism Talent