The pandemic changed the way we hire, and will to do so for years to come. A insipid mix of factors, including a continuing fear of Covid-19 and childcare options closed or operating at a lower capacity, have significantly impacted the labor market. However, businesses continue to require talent and are in many cases are struggling to hire.

Let’s explore the reasons for the labor shortage as well as some tips employers can leverage to entice candidates and continue scaling their business. 

The Labour Shortage

We at leads4biz along with our sponsors Horton International. have concluded that the following are top contributing reasons for it:

1. People are worried about getting sick: Though many are rushing to get vaccinated as soon as they can, Covid-19 is still a fear for employed people and candidates. People are worried about going to the office and place of work and contracting the virus and some industries require workers to be near each other, making concerns worse. 

2. Workers with children are still needed at home: Workers with children are concerned about leaving their youngsters at home alone or are unable to find care for them. There are still some schools and nurseries that haven’t reopened full-time yet, and so the kids need their parents at home. 

With all these challenges, many employers are finding it more difficult than ever to find long-term (or even short-term!) employees who are ready and willing to work. The reality is that hiring in 2021 will continue to be more competitive, more expensive and more problematic than in previous years. 

The 2021 Hiring Struggle

These challenges are impacting global business. To make sure you can carry on your business as fluidly as possible, consider the following 6 strategies to boost your hiring efforts.:

1.Offer a back-to-work incentive:

Perks will always be appreciated and are very memorable. For example, Amazon is reportedly offering a $1,000 signing bonus, and Uber and Lyft have also offered large bonuses to get people driving again. 

2. Increasing workers’ wages:

When push comes to shove, it may make a big difference to take another look at the salaries you’re offering. Look to see where there’s room to increase pay in order to gain a competitive edge.

This year, 33% of companies surveyed in Thailand are looking to increase their headcounts, while 32% plan to maintain the status quo. Job candidates in Thailand’s technology sector expect a 20% increase in salaries this year, the highest across 11 sectors we found.

3.Outsource recruitment:

Many hiring challenges can be mitigated by partnering with a professional recruiter. From firsthand experience, we know that recruiters’ robust networks and tested hiring strategies can find qualified matches for your roles faster than filling the role yourself. With the cost of applications and lack of candidates on job boards, seeking a professional experienced in recruiting can be game-changing for employers.

4. Emphasize or improve your company benefits: 

Do your company’s products or services solve challenges? Is your company making the world a better place? Is your company culture awarded and recognised? Share what makes being a part of your team different, while highlighting what’s in it for the employee.

One company we work with started offering free ‘ Neck and shoulder massage at the desk’ with professional therapists, but only on a Friday where they knew they saw the most absenteeism.

What are the top three reasons someone wants to work at your company? Share those throughout your career pages, social media channels and on your job postings.

5. Offer flexibility and work-from-home benefits, if possible:

Remote work and easier work from home schedules are becoming more popular than ever. Try to keep up with current workplace trends. Depending on the industry and shift schedule, remote work might not be possible, so consider other ways of offering more flexibility to your employees.

6. Offer apprenticeship opportunities or Internships:

Fewer experienced workers applying to your roles? Train any and all applicants to become the employees you desire. Consider offering a “get your foot in the door” approach to job seekers:

Offer on-site training programs to anyone new to your industry and get them up-skilled using your own techniques in the business. In my experience, employees who are learning and who have mobility from an apprenticeship into a full-time paid role tend to stay longer and are more loyal to their employers.

Don’t Fear Change, Evolution is all about changing!

There are certainly many fresh and new recruitment challenges in 2021, but where there are challenges, there are also opportunities. These unique challenges should inspire your company to change to meet the new market demands.

Are your employee benefits packages enticing applications? Do you have an active apprenticeship program? How could company culture be improved? Do you need immediate staffing help outside of your hiring team’s capacity? What agencies are experts in your area?

Covid cannot last indefinitely,  better times are right around the corner. Keep your heads up and leverage these pro tips to gain an advantage for locking in your next round of awesome employees.

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