Although it started in early 2021, the Great Resignation and resulting shift in mindset towards the workplace was still widespread in 2022. Easily categorized as a job seeker market, 2022 was a year where employers either stepped up to meet the demands of their candidates or failed to attract the talent they needed to keep operations running smoothly.
With 2023 in full swing, employers have a chance to start over and rethink or revise their hiring and hiring strategies to ensure a successful year. To share their own insights, eight members of Council for Young Entrepreneurs each shares an important lesson they learned last year about attracting top talent and how taking this lesson into 2023 can help you build the best team for your company.
Members pictured from left to right.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.
1. Show candidates that they have room to grow
A crucial recruiting lesson I learned in 2022 is that you need to give your team room to grow. When you hire people and expect them to stay in the same place for years, there is friction. To attract top talent, show potential employees how to grow and learn once they join your company – then deliver on your promises. – Jan Bracket, Smash Balloon LLC
2. Cast a wide net
If you’re used to finding talent in one or two places (such as LinkedIn or a particular job board), cast a wider net. You never know where you will find the best employees. This could be through referrals, career fairs, contacting university career centers, or more niche-specific groups and job boards. Don’t limit yourself to the same methods and platforms you’ve used in the past. – Kalin Kassabov, ProText
3. Offer flexibility and autonomy
In 2022 I learned that top talent chooses companies where they can work where they want, when they want. People find it incredibly motivating when their employer trusts and respects them enough to allow them flexibility in their work. Not only does this give employees more control over their lives, but it also helps boost morale. – Syed Balky, WPB Beginner
4. Make diversity a priority
One of the most important things employees demand from companies is diversity and inclusion. They require companies to ensure that an organization is a mix of many ages, cultures and backgrounds. A varied workforce has historically been very beneficial. Top talent sees diversity and inclusion as a ‘must-have’ rather than just a ‘nice-to-have’ endeavor. – Candice Georgiadis, Digital day
5. Implement an effective employee referral program
The one important lesson I learned about attracting top talent was the importance of having a good employee referral program. Employee referrals are a powerful recruiting tool because they come from a trusted source. When someone is referred by a friend or colleague, they are more likely to be a good fit for the company and position. – Abhijeet Kaldate, Astra WordPress theme
6. Showcase your learning opportunities
To attract top talent, you need to showcase the learning opportunities your company has to offer. We are far from the industrial revolution and are now living in the information age. The preferences of today’s employees are different from those of their predecessors. So, to attract top talent, you need to emphasize how your company can help them advance. – Stephanie Wells, Formidable shapes
7. Build a strong employer brand
One of the most important lessons we learned about attracting top talent in 2022 was the importance of employer branding. To attract the best and brightest, we need to ensure that our company is perceived as an attractive place to work. We need a strong employer brand that stands out from the crowd. It’s a very effective way to attract top talent and make them part of your team. – Josh Kohlbach, Wholesale Suite
8. Develop an inspiring vision
Top talent wants to be part of an exciting company with incredible growth prospects and a clear vision to get there. When recruiting talent, perfect your pitch because you are just as much selling them to join as they are selling you to be part of your organization. Visionary founders always attract the best talent. – Andy Karuza, NachoNacho
