The Employer Check List

As an employer, are you finding it increasingly challenging to hire top talent in this market? Have you thought, “What would attract someone to our company over another one?” With an unemployment rate at an all-time low of nearly 3% in Central Florida, learning what attracts candidates is something to really stop and think about.

What are candidates looking for in 2018? 

1. Competitive Compensation (but not just money)
The key to attracting top talent is competitive compensation. If you don’t pay well, the top talent in your company will use this as leverage to look elsewhere. According to LinkedIn, compensation is the number one reason people change jobs. If your budget is tight, consider your whole package. Do you offer lucrative benefits such as generous PTO, wellness programs, gym memberships, stock options, flex days, etc.? In some cases, flexibility is more attractive than the actual salary of a position. You can even get creative with perks to create a competitive advantage.

2. Flexibility
Speaking of flexibility, work-from-home options as well as flexible hours are attractive to candidates, especially the Millennials. Technology allows us to plug in virtually anywhere. Why not offer more flexibility to keep employees happy and build retention? It creates trust and autonomy for the employee, and they’ll likely contribute more when they are in the office.

3. Personal Development
Not all employees want to learn on an upward trajectory. Some are increasingly interested in lateral opportunities to expand and develop in new focus areas, especially when they become bored with their current scope of work. According to Gina Gomez, Business and Life Coach, Staff performance and loyalty increases when employees feel supported and empowered to pursue their personal goals and dreams.

4. Happiness
We spend a third of our day at work! That is a lot of unhappiness that can build up if one is not fulfilled at their workplace. The factors mentioned above all help lead to happiness, but a couple others to mention are recognition and autonomy. Everyone wants to be noticed in a positive way. Making a conscious effort to show recognition and give constructive feedback on an ongoing basis will go a long way in making an employee happy. Building a management team to be adaptable is important to avoid micromanaging. Having a team you can trust and setting clear goals with them, checking in on a regular basis, all contribute to a productive and happy workforce.

Employer Checklist:

• Is your company a place where everyone wants to work?
• Are your employees really happy?
• Is there more you can offer to create a thriving workplace and retain the best talent?

Not sure? Ask your team!

Whitney Saylor, Managing Director