Many of you may already notice a few similar trends going into the new year. For one, Technology will continue to stand at the forefront for companies and applicants alike. The paper resume is becoming more and more scarce and obsolete and the need/desire for instant communication and gratification will only continue to increase. The advent and application of new technologies such as AI (artificial intelligence) and text messaging capabilities in the recruiting, hiring and job search process will continue on an upward trajectory.

In addition, mobile traffic and usage when it comes to searching for jobs is only expected to grow. According to glassdoor.com, 45% of job seekers use a mobile device at least once per day in their job search and 89% use mobile platforms throughout the entire job search process. With this said, only 16% of applications are typically submitted via mobile. It is possible that with new technologies and the progression in smart phone capabilities that this too could be on the rise. Now is the time to beef up and improve the efficiency of not only your desktop platforms but your mobile platforms as well.

The long and short of it is simple, if you and your company are already paying close attention to these trends and understand their implications, you’re already a step ahead as we enter 2019. However, if that is not necessarily the case, do some research and try and determine where your recruiting process is missing the mark. Gone are the days of posting an ad and waiting for applications to pour in. Recruiters need to engage with potential candidates before, during and after the hiring process to cultivate a true relationship. This will, in turn, increase candidate retention and could even increase referral traffic!

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, Trillium Hospitality and Trillium Techs. With approximately 100 offices nationwide and nearly 450 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

Today, most in-person job fairs are far less successful than they were even just a few years ago. What candidates want to spend half a day getting ready, printing a resume, driving across town, waiting in line to speak with someone, only to turn around and drive back home? Only those who know there is a direct benefit to them and that they’ll have an increased chance of being hired for their dream job. So how do you make that happen? Just like this…

• Ditch the tombstone ads. If people aren’t looking for jobs in the newspaper, they certainly aren’t looking there for a job fair ad.
• SEO is your new best friend. Power pack your social media channels, blog, company site, and internal job board with SEO rich content for the event. Speaking of friends, have them “like”, share, and comment on your event.
• Clearly outline the benefits to attending. Will the hiring manager or decision maker be present? Are you offering on the spot interviews? Are you willing to schedule meetings ahead of time so candidates don’t have to wait in line? Can someone be hired “on the spot”? Give your audience a clear picture of what they can expect and a call to action.
• Have the right players present. Don’t send interns, assistants, or those who aren’t directly responsible for hiring for your positions. Why waste their time or yours? Candidates feel that they have a more direct avenue through emailing a resume than meeting with a non-decision maker in person. Show them that you value their time enough to show up.
• Make your process smooth and modern. Are you accepting paper resumes? Don’t be. Have candidates apply online ahead of time so that the time spent with you at the event is spent discussing their qualifications and goals instead of how to apply for the position. This also allows you to schedule appointments in advance, giving candidates a sense of purpose for attending.
• Follow up. Don’t return to the office and dive right into what you missed. Follow up with candidates first and schedule any second interviews necessary while the information is still fresh with you.
• Measure your return. If you find that you are only seeing a very small number of candidates at these events but the quality of candidate is high it may justify the efforts. If you have a large turn out but few qualified applicants, a job fair may not be your best recruiting avenue. Don’t be afraid to stop participating in job fairs that traditionally were a large part of your recruiting process, the job market has changed and it may be time for a change in recruiting strategies.

Each industry and set of positions has it’s own set of unique recruiting challenges. Certain skill sets just aren’t likely to engage in an in person job fair. For those technical and more professional candidates, consider hosting a virtual or online job fair. This will appeal to passive candidates who are in confidential job searches or unable to attend your event.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent?Contact us today! If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.