June 16, 2021 | 5 min read
With Job Seekers In Control Of The Market, How Do Employers Compete?

Amanda

As economies reopen, employers are learning something quickly: job seekers are in control again. As the most recent jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates, today’s labor market is one of the most complex we’ve ever seen. While millions of Americans are still out of work, employers are struggling to find talent.

Though there are many factors at play, employers are faced with the challenge of reeling in top talent. When candidates are in the driver’s seat, here are a few things employers should consider in order to attract the best talent in the market:

Flexibility is king

After working remotely for about a year, employees have gotten a taste of a more flexible work environment. Fundamentally, employees have shifted their relationship to their work. Whether they’ve cut out a long commute or simply like to do a load of laundry during the day, flexible work arrangements have allowed many professionals to improve their work-life balance.

While many employees are excited about going into the office again, they don’t want to lose that option of flexibility. Not only should employers offer flexible working arrangements, but adopting a flexible and trusting culture in general should be a priority. Showing staff that you genuinely value their physical and mental health and trust them to be autonomous over their work can go a long way in your efforts to attract and retain talent.

Make fast and competitive offers

With several options, job seekers are often going on multiple interviews at once. When you find a high-quality candidate, it’s important that you don’t hesitate in making an offer.

Read also: How To Engage Candidates During The Hiring Process 

Additionally, showcasing that you understand the candidate’s value is critical. While you may save a few dollars in a lengthy negotiation, you could wind up losing your top candidate to an employer who chose to put their best offer forward first.

Show off your culture

In a candidate-driven market, job seekers have the ability to seek out the career opportunity that can move them forward and best suits their personal and professional needs. Beyond the job responsibilities and career growth that is available through your organization, job seekers will closely examine your culture and how the company operates as a whole.

As a result, be vocal about how your company culture sets you apart from others. Whether you offer excellent benefits, flexible working arrangements, or other perks, communicating those benefits clearly is an important step to attracting top talent.

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