Talent Shortage or Shortage of Creative Talent Strategies?

A lot of people are blaming the lack of talent on the “shortage of critical skills in the U.S.” I think most of the perceived shortage is really a shortage of creative talent strategies. Many employers expect immediate plug-and-play candidates, new employees who come prepared with the skills and training to be productive immediately upon entering the workplace. Employers that invest in growing their own talent, will have an advantage.

The employers that blame the lack of resources on the “talent shortage” might look in the mirror and ask, “What have I done lately to create a strategic talent pool for my organization? Employers need to utilize creative talent strategies to grow their own talent pools. It is up to employers to build a creative talent pipeline.
Ways to create strategic talent strategies:

• Redesign jobs and job descriptions: Be open to bringing in talent from different industries and be willing to train the candidates on the skills they don’t have. Consider job sharing or hiring remotely, whatever will fill the need effectively.
• Internal Training programs: Develop in-house training programs to train candidates to your specifications. Outcome: loyal, committed, trained employees.
  
• Internships: Develop partnerships with schools and programs. Collaborate with schools to develop curriculum and experiences for students that will inspire and teach students about the jobs you want to fill in the future. Invite students into your company and/or send your employees into the classroom to teach or speak.
  
• Recruit Creatively: If you are only running online ads to find talent, then you are only reaching less than 1% of your overall talent market. Get creative with your recruitment marketing strategies using online resources (LinkedIn!), job fairs, research, professional associations, outreach, etc. Make sure your internal recruitment website is dynamic, current, and easy to use.
  
• Build a brand: Become an employer of choice. Market internally and externally the benefits of working at your company. Create a branding campaign to market your company. Building a brand needs to start internally to ensure you are creating a work environment that your employees will rave about – you can’t be an employer of choice if you don’t have an engaged workforce.
  
• Support the Community: People want to work for companies that support a good cause and give back to the community. Plus it is good press.

To learn more about Talent Acquisition strategies, watch this HR Matrix Tips  “Concierge Hiring” Episode 2.