Being understaffed puts a strain on your business and employees. You want to find the best candidate for the job, but you also want to find someone quickly. Here are 3 tips for finding qualified candidates in as little time as possible.
Write Detailed Job Descriptions
A well-written job description can summon the best people to apply quickly. That’s why you really need to take your time and write an honest and thorough job description. Some things to include are:
- Main job responsibilities/ typical day on the job
- Specific skills and education requirements
- The company culture
- Salary (optional)
The key to writing a great job description is to be as detailed as possible, while not being overwhelming. If candidates are looking through countless job ads, they most likely won’t read the entire job posting if it’s too long. On the other hand, a job description that is too short may result in having unqualified candidates applying for the job.
You really want to write a job description tailored to your company, because not all accounting jobs are created equal. Accounting duties can vary from company to company. Writing a tailored and detailed overview of the job, as well as listing the specific skills that you are looking for, are an absolute must in a good job description.
Many companies also overlook describing their company. Is it team-based? Are people expected to work with minimal supervision? Is the company traditional or casual? While it may not seem to matter, some people just do not want to work in a particular environment, and that’s okay. By being upfront in your job description, you can save both yourself and the candidate time.
When it comes to salary, you need to decide if you should include this in your job description. Although companies may have very good reasons for not listing it, the last thing that you want is to find a great candidate and have them refuse the job when they find out what the pay is going to be. If you don’t want to publicly include the salary, you can opt for asking the applicant what their expected pay range is. Beware of this tactic, however. It can result in desperate candidates, who may not be well-suited for the job, listing the lowest rate possible just to score an interview.
Ask for Employee Referrals
Another great way of finding the best talent quickly is to ask your employees. Many top companies do this and even offer employee referral bonuses. Great talent usually knows and networks with like-minded people. Your employees already know your business well, and they can tap into their network to find the best fit.
Taking this route can help you find a broader scope of candidates. Oftentimes, your employees may know of someone who is currently employed but would be willing to take another job if the right offer came along. This gives you a wider array of candidates to choose from than just those actively seeking work.
In addition, your employees can give the potential applicant their completely honest account of the organization and what the job entails. This goes beyond the job description, ensuring that those who apply know exactly what they are getting into. This will be beneficial to your business because only serious candidates will apply.
Consider Using a Staffing Agency
If you are really strapped for time, consider using a staffing agency. Staffing agencies have the experience and know-how in recruiting and screening candidates as quickly as possible. This is especially true for staffing agencies focusing on one sector, such as accounting and finance.
In addition, many of today’s tech-savvy job seekers use staffing agencies to find work, as well as apply for jobs directly. Experienced candidates are using everything that is available to them in order to find that perfect job. With many jobs today being listed as temp-to-hire, candidates know that if they want to increase their chance of being hired, they need to apply to staffing agencies, as well.
What this means for you and your business is that many experienced and skilled workers are already working with staffing agencies. In addition, staffing agencies interview and test these applicants, ensuring the right person for your job. Oftentimes, it’s as simple as a phone call to a staffing agency. By describing the candidate that you need, they can get someone out to you in a relatively short amount of time.
Closing Thoughts
Being understaffed can be hard on your business. There are several ways you can find candidates quickly. Whichever way you decide to go, our staffing agency is always here to help if you need it. Please contact us for more information.
